Photos: BHS Prepares For “Peter Pan”

March 6, 2012

The Bermuda High School is this week staging the high-flying musical adventure “Peter Pan”, featuring special effects developed by the company which allowed Broadway star Mary Martin soar over New York audiences during the original 1950s production.

Directed by the school’s drama teacher Jane Thorpe, the musical version of J.M. Barrie’s classic children’s play tells the story of an ageless little boy who spends his never-ending childhood on the fantastical island of Neverland.

As the leader of his gang of Lost Boys, Peter Pan — who possesses the power of flight — has adventures with mermaids, Native Americans, fairies, pirates, and occasionally ordinary children from the outside world.

The cast features students Emma O’Donnell as Peter Pan, Meghan Ward as Wendy, Nathaniel Sussman as Captain Hook as well as Connie Cambell as Mrs. Darling, Caroline Skinner as John and Alice Graham-Welton as Michael.

The flying rigs which will allow Peter Pan and other characters to zoom over the stage at the BHS auditorium incorporate technology pioneered by legendary theatrical special effects house Flying By Foy.

Beginning with the Mary Martin production of “Peter Pan” in the 1950s, the firm has developed numerous systems allowing for soaring aerial choreography which continue to thrill audiences both on Broadway and in Las Vegas showrooms.

The London and New York theatre publishers, Samuel French Ltd, first published Piers Chater Robinson’s new musical adaptation of “Peter Pan” in the UK in 1985. The script remains faithful to J.M. Barrie’s original story and the score features catchy, up-tempo musical numbers.

The professional show has enjoyed many box-office record-breaking seasons in United Kingdom theatres — including London’s West End — and it has also been performed in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Dubai, Japan, Mexico, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and across Europe.

“Our production of ‘Peter Pan’ promises to deliver a fantastic evening to all. The students have all worked incredibly hard to put together a top notch show,” said directo Ms Thorpe. “They are all particularly excited about the flying!”

Show times for BHS’s Peter Pan are March 7, 8, 9 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 10 at 5:00 p.m. in the Queen Elizabeth Hall on The Bermuda High School campus. Light refreshments and drinks will be sold prior to performances and during the short intermission.

Reserved seating tickets are $25 and general admission tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students.

In addition, a Patron Reception will be held on Wednesday [Mar. 7] at 6:00 p.m., featuring wine and canapés. Patrons tickets are $50 per person and include V.I.P. seating for the 7 p.m. performance following.

All tickets are available at BHS’s reception and more information may be obtained by emailing boxoffice@bhs.bm.

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