Theatre Preview
Eleanor Pearson 26 June 2015 A Pinch of Fairy Dust - and You’re on Your Way
On a wintry Thursday afternoon, there are quiet rumblings coming from within the business studies auditorium of Knox Grammar School. Inside, a pirate swaggers, lost boys loiter, a fairy flits, young actors laugh and joke, a voluminous set is assembled, and the lights go up – on the cast of Peter Pan. It is Marian Street Theatre for Young People’s (M.S.T.Y.P.) second production at Knox, and it is the dress rehearsal.
All gather and eagerly await the directors’ call at 5:30pm. Did I say all? Wait, here’s the countdown: 1,2,3…10,11, 12, 13, 13? Who’s missing? Let Tinkerbell summon the missing cast member!
“Run like the wind Tink!” Director Rebecca Jones instructs, drily. |
Peter Pan
Season Starting: Saturday June 22 (click on "Upcoming Events" for exact times.) Address: The Knox Business Studies Centre Auditorium, 7 Woodville Ave, Wahroonga NSW 2076 (between Borambil St and Woodville Ave)
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“Who needs to run, when you’ve got wings?” retorts Amy Alexander, already in full flight in her leafy Tinkerbell costume, with wings firmly attached.
For 13-year-old Amy, playing the fairy, Tinkerbell, in Peter Pan has been a confidence builder, and she has loved exploring the character. It’s Amy’s first production with the company, but very likely it won’t be her last.
“I look forward to rehearsals the whole week,” Amy said. As I speak with four older cast members, some (relative theatre veterans) with seven shows at M.S.T.Y.P. already under their belt, their collective excitement about the pending performance is fully apparent. Rhys Briggs, 16, plays Peter Pan. “The best thing about Peter Pan will be performing it in front of the kids,” he said. “I haven’t done that yet.” Ashleigh Bortz, 15, plays Wendy Darling. Ashleigh has been performing since the age of three, and remembers seeing Marian Street Theatre productions with her grandmother before acting in them herself. |
“It’s all coming together now,” Ashleigh said, of Peter Pan.
Dana Compton, 16, plays Nana, the Darlings’ beloved dog. “It’s been challenging…now I’m more playful, there’s comedy,” Dana said.
Dana said children’s audiences also loved seeing young actors on stage. “Young kids relate to us.”
Peter Pan is aimed at audiences from 3-10 years.
Dana Compton, 16, plays Nana, the Darlings’ beloved dog. “It’s been challenging…now I’m more playful, there’s comedy,” Dana said.
Dana said children’s audiences also loved seeing young actors on stage. “Young kids relate to us.”
Peter Pan is aimed at audiences from 3-10 years.
There is plenty of audience participation in Peter Pan. The infamous crocodile is a construct, with the children in the audience making the tick-tock sound of Captain Hook’s swallowed watch, and simulating the crocodile’s jaws with their arms.
Philip Playoust, 16, plays Mr Darling and Captain Hook. “People over 10 will still enjoy Peter Pan,” he said.
The play is directed by Rebecca Jones and Laura Gava. It’s their seventh show together for M.S.T.Y.P, and Jones’ 11-year-old daughter, Lucy, is the youngest cast member.
“Peter Pan is my very favourite story. I love Peter. Really holding onto childhood resonates with me,” Gava said.
“It’s all come together very nicely - this is the exciting part,” Jones said.
Philip Playoust, 16, plays Mr Darling and Captain Hook. “People over 10 will still enjoy Peter Pan,” he said.
The play is directed by Rebecca Jones and Laura Gava. It’s their seventh show together for M.S.T.Y.P, and Jones’ 11-year-old daughter, Lucy, is the youngest cast member.
“Peter Pan is my very favourite story. I love Peter. Really holding onto childhood resonates with me,” Gava said.
“It’s all come together very nicely - this is the exciting part,” Jones said.
Performers and Crew
Directors
Musical Arrangement and Direction Movement Direction Set Design Costume Design Lighting Design Production Manager Stage Manager Asst. Stage Manager Lighting Operator Poster Illustration and Design Program Design Publicist Executive Producer The Darlings
Mrs. Darling
Mr. Darling Wendy Darling John Darling Michael Darling Nana |
Rebecca Jones and
Laura Gava Andrew Chessher Peter Blackburn Sean Carver Sarah Chelkowski Grant Fraser Taylor Allen Angus Walker Emerald Slater Lochlan Boyd Marjorie Crosby-Fairall Lucia Ciccio' Amanda Buckworth Margie McCrae Sonia Elliott
Philip Playoust Ashleigh Bortz Matthew Forbes Matthew Kearney Dana Compton |
NeverLand
The Lost Boys
The Pirates
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