A Watermill Theatre Youth Ensemble Production takes the audience into the world created by J.M Barrie which has been adapted by Ella Hickson. Each performance is relaxed and signed. Although the performance I saw wasn’t interrupted or felt any different to other theatre performances.

The Darling family lost their brother Tom (Ethan Mearkle-Mist) a fourth sibling added into the Darling family. His death leaves a massive gap in their worlds and nobody addresses their feelings about what happened and how they can move on as a family.

Wendy (Livi Hodgson) appears to be the only one grieving the loss of Tom, as she speaks out about missing him. When Peter Pan (Joshua Allan) appears at the children’s bedroom window with Tink (Edith Rayner). Talk of the “lost boys” on their Island gives Wendy hope that she will be reunited with Tom.

The magic of Neverland is captured throughout the performance. Captain Hook’s (Coco Vollenweider) fear of the crocodile (Sophie Jenner) who had previously eaten his hand and continuous feud with Peter Pan are all included

Puppetry director Scarlet Wilderink created flying puppet versions of the Darling children who embark on their journey to Neverland. The black umbrellas covered in diamanté style stickers created a wonderful backdrop of the night sky for the flying scenes. Incredibly creative and stunning.

The performances are split into two casts, although some actors are performing in both tonight’s cast was the blue performers. Although I would feel confident in believing that the green cast will be equally as competent. One thing I took away from the night is how much the cast enjoyed the play and gave their roles everything they had to offer.

Watching youth productions in mainstream Theatres allows the casts to get used to performing in venues and gaining valuable experience. These are our actors for the future and each of them shows a lot of potential if they choose to carry on acting into adulthood.

For more information on Wendy and Peter Pan and future productions at The Watermill Theatre please use the links below.

Three Stars.

https://www.watermill.org.uk/