Written by
Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, Henry Shields.
Directed by
Adam Meggido – Set Design by Simon ScullionCostumes designed by Roberto Surace – Sound designed by Ella Wahlstrom
Choreographed
by Dave Hearn.
Canberra
Theatre 6th – 10th February, 2019
Performance
on 6th February reviewed by Bill Stephens
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| The cast of "Peter Pan Goes Wrong" in a tight spot. |
If you saw
“The Play That Goes Wrong”, you’ll need no urging to see this new production by
the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, because “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” is more
lavish, funnier (if that’s possible), and more frenetic than their first
production. But if you haven’t seen one of their productions yet, then this is
your opportunity to catch up with the rest of the world.
Probably the
most incompetent theatre company in existence, the CPDC production of “Peter
Pan” is a non-stop laugh-fest, as disaster after disaster overtake the long
suffering cast. No point in describing what happens, that would spoil the fun.
Most of the cast who survived “The Play That Goes Wrong” have returned as their original characters, Luke Joslin as the pompous director-in-waiting, Robert Grove; Adam Dunn as the burly, besieged stage manager, Trevor Watson; George Kemp as the world’s worst actor, Dennis Tyde, who still can’t remember his lines, Tammie Weller as the ambidextrous Annie Twilloil, barely coping with four roles as Mary Darling, Lisa, Tinker Bell and Tiger Lilly, Darcy Brown barely surviving as Peter Pan, and Francine Cain as the beauteous Sandra Wilkinson, over-acting her heart out as Wendy Darling. You’d have thought they would have had enough first time around.
Most of the cast who survived “The Play That Goes Wrong” have returned as their original characters, Luke Joslin as the pompous director-in-waiting, Robert Grove; Adam Dunn as the burly, besieged stage manager, Trevor Watson; George Kemp as the world’s worst actor, Dennis Tyde, who still can’t remember his lines, Tammie Weller as the ambidextrous Annie Twilloil, barely coping with four roles as Mary Darling, Lisa, Tinker Bell and Tiger Lilly, Darcy Brown barely surviving as Peter Pan, and Francine Cain as the beauteous Sandra Wilkinson, over-acting her heart out as Wendy Darling. You’d have thought they would have had enough first time around.
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| Darcy Brown and Luke Josling as Peeter Pan and his shadow. |
New to the
cast are Connor Crawford hogging the limelight as the director, Chris Bean, who’s
cast himself as George Darling and Captain Hook, Jordon Prosser as the devious
Max Bennett languishing in the roles of Michael Darling and the crocodile,
Teagan Wouters as the reluctant actor Lucy Grove, who overcomes her
stage-fright and copious injuries to ultimately save the day, and jolly Jay
Laga’aia who was greeted with lusty cheers from the kids in the audience as he
took the stage as Francis Beaumont to narrate the play.
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| George Kemp - Adam Dunn - Jordan Prosser share an anxious moment. |
The
revolving set is a death-trap which barely survives the show, as furniture
collapses, pieces fall off, doors jam, and actors find themselves mercilessly
exposed trying to make magic among the mayhem, colliding mid-air in
mal-functioning flying harnesses or dodging falling stage props.
It’s all
brilliantly executed, with split-second timing, combining superlative physical
theatre, slap-stick comedy and good old-fashioned pantomime. The kids loved it,
but not nearly as much as their parents. Don’t miss it.
Photos by David Watson
This review also published in AUSTRALIAN ARTS REVIEW. www.artsreview.com.au
