Anthony Harper Summer Theatre to Stage PETER PAN

By: Tyler Peterson Feb. 03, 2015

Peter Pan bursts into life at Riccarton House on 4 February in a chaotic, cheeky and charming production in The Anthony Harper Summer Theatre Season.

The show is part of Christchurch City Council's SummerTimes programme and runs until 22 February.

Ben Ashby from Christchurch Boys' High School plays Peter Pan and Kate Hellings from St Margaret's College plays Wendy.

Tinker Bell, Captain Hook and the Lost Boys are played by other members of The Court Youth Company alongside three professional actors - Vanessa Kumar who finished her professional actor's training at Toi Whakaari in Wellington last year; Andrew Ford, a former Christchurch resident now based in Auckland; and Derek Flores, a Canadian improvisational actor who has made his home in Christchurch.

The Court Youth Company is selected from the top talent in the city amongst 17-21 year olds and have worked with and received training at The Court over the last year.

Behind the scenes are more professionals including a stage manager, set designer and builder, costume designer and an artistic director so the show promises to be a high-quality production.

Council Events Production Team Manager Chloe Dear says the young actors have devised this exuberant version of the Peter Pan story. It started with a workshop prior to Christmas then three weeks rehearsing this year.

Improvisation was used in developing the play so the actors could engage with the themes of the story.

"The performances are unique because they don't have a written script. It will be great to see these talented young actors in front of an audience," Ms Dear says.

The show is outside Riccarton House on Wednesday to Sunday at 7pm with an additional 2pm show on weekends and Waitangi Day.

This is a free event, so bring along your picnic chair or blanket and settle in with the boy who would not grow up, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook and the Lost Boys.

Street parking is available or there is limited car parking at the Riccarton Bush car park.

Cast:

· Ben Ashby: Peter Pan

· Derek Flores: Mr Darling, Captain Hook

· Vanessa Kumar: Mrs Darling, Mermaid, Indian Chief, Pirate

· Kate Hellings: Wendy

· Rheanna Walsh: Michael, Mermaid

· Andrew Ford: Toodles, Smee, Mermaid

· Vincent Andrew-Scammell: Tinkerbell, Indian, Pirate

· Tara Erenskjold: Nana, Tiger Lily, Lost boy, Pirate

· Ellen Jones-Poole: John, Indian, Pirate

Production: