You’ll be starstruck as you find your inner child in this playful story about finding Neverland, By Sebastian Purcell

Before the story of Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Captain Hook and Neverland comes the story of three orphaned children, Nameless boy (Otis Dihanji), Ted (Benjin Maza) and Prentiss (Morgan Francis). Stowed away on the Neverland ship bound to the far-off Kingdom of Rundoon, they meet Molly Leondard (Olivia Deeble) and discover the precious cargo, the mysterious substance called starstuff.

Meanwhile, aboard another ship, The Wasp, Lord Leondard Aster (Alison White) has been deceived by pirates led by Captain Black Stache (Colin Lane). The pirates have taken control and plan to take the treasure, the decoy starstuff, for themselves only to discover it’s been switched out. As a battle ensues, they all end up on the mysterious island and the story of Peter Pan begins to emerge right before the audiences’ eyes.

The hero of this production is the lighting design of Ben Hughes. The design beautifully transports the audience through time and space, between swimming the depths of the oceans to soaring into the night sky. And while we never see Tinkerbell, there is a wonderful play of lights between the actors that might make you think she is actually there.  

Leslie Zink’s movement direction on the stage is fluid and is best performed by the ensemble when interacting with the sets and props. The use of the dual staircases narrows a scene into an intimate setting within the ships before splitting apart to show two worlds at once. Another clever intersection of movement and props is through wooden planks, doubling as doors to scenes on the ships, and all without a turntable on the stage.

This show has it all, there’s special puppetry guests, cats, birds, reptiles, fish that add colour, movement and humour to the show. The band, a tight ensemble of their own on stage, continue to perform as they are moved between scenes and as if part of the scenery themselves.

The 14 strong ensemble work well together to bring frivolity and fun to the stage. Each actor moving between scenes with ease using their costumes and lighting to transform with the narrative. While this is a play, there are a handful of musical numbers, and while I weren’t as fond of these moments there was a standout vocal performance by Ryan Gonzalez (Fighting Prawn) in the second act that left me wanting more.

Otis Dihanji and Oliva Deeble have a wonderful playful chemistry between them holding their own in the often silliness and chaos that descended when Colin Lane took the stage; Lane stealing almost every scene, through slapstick comedy or delivering tongue twister dialogue imbued with modern references to our current world affairs. I found it hard at times to discern where the script ended and Lane or Pete Hellier’s improvisation began. While I and the audience loved the humour, it did extend the shows running time, and I wondered whether a pacier second act would have worked better.

Overall, this is a show that invites silliness, being creative and finding joy in storytelling; which I’m sure will bring many laughs to all who see it. It also toys with themes of loneliness, otherness and the playfulness we often lose in growing up: as Molly says “things are only worth what you willing to give up for them”.

Suitable for audiences of all ages. Now playing at the Arts Centre Melbourne. Tickets available via the Peter and the Starcatcher website.