REVIEW | Peter Pan, Barn Theatre
PETER PAN
Barn Theatre
★★★★★
The continuation of theatre closures is creating a huge impact on livelihoods and the state of the industry on the other side. Watching theatre digitally is more important than ever and there’s so much on offer this month. One of those is Barn Theatre’s new production of Peter Pan, a new play one of the most loved stories of all time, including my own. Barn Theatre are definitely a theatre moving with the wave of this pandemic and producing some stellar shows online, including recently What a Carve Up!
Barn Theatre’s new version of J.M.Barrie’s Peter Pan states an obvious shift from the beginning, this is a one man show starring Waylon Jacobs. Adapted for the Barn Theatre by Alan Pollock and directed by Kirk Jameson, this new production follows a man recreating his daughter’s favourite bedtime story through a video call with her from a small hotel room. It’s a great way of staging the story and I was blown away by how much of this tale they are able to capture into an hour, including some direct references from Barrie’s original story. There are a few obvious changes in this show, including the shift from the “Indians” becoming the more appropriate “Amazons”. The show perfectly captures the wonder and warmth of this much loved classic without stripping too much away.
The hotel room becomes more as the story unfolds in front of our very eyes with a intricate shift between different places, particularly Neverland. You are thrust into the action of Peter Pan with sublime projections and storytelling. I was fixated by the beautiful drawing projections that helped Waylon Jacobs transform through the story. Jacobs is a superb storyteller in this show, portraying the many characters that Neverland has in its grasps. He took us from the haunting Hook to the childlike curiosity of Michael and John. His energy and engaging portrayals is admirable as he is the person we are trusting to take us on this journey with him. I was absolutely engrossed in everything Jacobs was delivering in this production.
This is a glorious new version of Peter Pan, that stands alone from many other productions I have seen take on J.M.Barrie’s beloved story. It is sure to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. I think it’s a fantastic option to bring some theatre into your home, or school this festive season. It was vibrant, magical and awe-inspiring from start to finish. Another spectacular job from Barn Theatre!
Peter Pan runs until January 3 at the Barn Theatre, both in live theatre and streamed performances. Find out more over on the Barn Theatre website.