This holiday season audiences will take flight past the second star to the right and float through the clouds to Never Never Land to be reunited with their favourite characters in Peter Pan.
Brimming with adventure, this tale about a boy who refused to grow up becomes awash in swash and buckle in an and interactive Christmas pantomime at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse Nov. 17 through Dec. 19.
Written by Simon Aylin and Trudy Moffatt, this production is based on the famous play by J.M. Barrie many years ago.
It tells the story of a mischievous boy who spends his everlasting childhood on magical escapades as the leader of the Lost Boys, meeting and dealing with fairies, mermaids, natives, and an evil band of pirates led by Peter’s arch-nemesis, the menacing Captain Hook.
“Peter Pan is a timeless tale that appeals to everyone,” said artistic director of Drayton Entertainment Alex Mustakas. “Audiences of all ages will be swept away by the magic, mischief, and wonder of it all – it’s the perfect family event for the holiday season.”
Set in London in the early 20th century, the play begins with a cheerful Wendy Darling, who tells extraordinary bedtime stories about Peter Pan and his swashbuckling swordplay with the fearsome pirate Captain Hook, to her younger brothers Michael and John.
But their new life of leisure comes to a startling halt when Wendy, John, and Michael are kidnapped by Captain Hook and held captive aboard the Jolly Roger ship. Can Peter and his friends rescue the Darling children before it’s too late?
The musical production is in the capable hands of director and choreographer Trudy Moffatt, who handled past Drayton Entertainment holiday hits Aladdin, Cinderella, and Robin Hood.
With incredible flying sequences to captivate theatregoers, the characters in the production soar through the air courtesy of the renowned aerial experts at Flying by Foy, of Las Vegas. The cast assembled for this production including Jonny Wexler as Peter Pan. Audiences may recognize Wexler as Moe Doodle on the hit series The Doodlebops. He also performed the role of Chad Danforth in Drayton Entertainment’s production of Disney’s High School Musical earlier this season. Paul McQuillan plays the villainous Captain Hook, with Fred Stinson as his silly sidekick, Smee.
Perennial audience favourite Keith Savage tackles the outrageous role of Deliah the Cook, a quintessential pantomime character.
Tess Benger, Eric Weinhart, and Christopher Jones are the Darling children, Wendy, John, and Michael. Jayme Armstrong appears as their mother, Mrs. Darling, and Tiger Lily with Jordan Cable, Sarah Harries, Bethany Kovarik, Chad McFadden, Sarah Matton and Mike Tracz rounding out the ensemble cast.
Drayton Entertainment has engaged many local children for this production including Peter Jones, Ethan Kast, Andrew Mourcos, Joshua Piedl, and Devon Radue as the Lost Boys. A children’s ensemble of dancers also appears, which is organized and choreographed by Waterloo’s Moreé School of Dance Directors Cora Black and Michelle Black.
Peter Pan is sponsored by Commercial Print Craft and Strassburger Windows and Doors. Media Sponsors are WAVE 94.7 and The Wellington Advertiser. The design sponsor is Boucher & Jones Fuels. The orchestra sponsor is ARCA Financial.
Ticket sales are soaring for the production. Theatregoers are encouraged to plan ahead and call the box office soon for the best available tickets at 519-747-7788 or toll free at 1-888-449-4463. For more information visit the website www.stjacobscountryplayhouse.com.
