Broadway blockbuster and prequel to Peter Pan premiers in Canberra

Posted on 21 October, 2024

It’s as simple as finding the second star to the right and going straight on ’til morning. Or booking tickets – whatever comes first.

Have you ever wondered what happened before Peter Pan came to Neverland? Where did Tinkerbell come from? What was Hook like before he became the Captain?

With its Australian premiere at Canberra Theatre Centre, Peter and the Starcatcher is the adventure before the adventure. The perfect outing for families with kids and a range of showtimes to suit, the beautiful sets, dazzling light work, stellar performances, and jokes for young and old had the audience hooked from the start and in fits of giggles throughout.

With five Tony Awards, the Australian run features some the country’s best-known actors, including Colin Lane (from Lano & Woodley) who is hilarious as the swash-bumbling Black Stache, and Peter Hellier (The Project), who is a perfect casting for his sidekick.

The show starts at a bustling port in England, where two ships set sail for the kingdom of Rundoon, discovering mystical mermaids and curious creatures along the way.

The Neverland, captained by the sinister Bill Slank (Paul Capsis from La Cage aux Folles, and The Rocky Horror Show), carries Lord Aster’s daughter Molly (who is also Wendy’s mother, played by Olivia Deeble from Home and Away) and her nanny Mrs. Bumbrake. They are joined by three orphan boys: Prentiss, Ted and the nameless Boy (played by Otis Dhanji from Aquaman and Netflix hit The Unlisted).

The Wasp is led by Captain Scott (Hugh Parker from The Office and The Family Law), and carries Lord Leonard Aster (Alison Whyte from Death of a Salesman, Groundhog Day The Musical and The Dressmaker), escorted by a squadron of British navy seamen.

Each ship has a trunk aboard, one containing precious cargo belonging to the Queen and the other a decoy.

With mix ups and some surprise pirates, Molly and the boys are pursued in wild storms before they reach an island where they encounter Fighting Prawn (Ryan Gonzalez, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and In The Heights) and Mr Grin the Crocodile.

The sets transform the Playhouse Theatre, with some stunning lighting and sound design. Originally developed by Disney Theatrical Group and written by Rick Elice (from Jersey Boys fame), Peter and the Starcatcher has had an Aussie reimagination by the Dead Puppet Society.

The Canberra shows will be followed by seasons at Arts Centre Melbourne, Adelaide Festival Centre, Sydney’s Capitol Theatre and Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

Running until Sunday 27 October, expect to be mesmerized by breathtaking visuals featuring extraordinary puppetry, brought to life through captivating song and dance as you’re transported to another world.

Images supplied.