Peter Pan has been playing in Neverland since 1902 when he was created by Scottish novelist and playwright J.M. Barrie and made an appearance again on the stage at Chestermere Lake Middle School. And for someone who is 101 years old he still looks as boyish as ever.
The school’s drama club performed the classic Peter Pan for two dinner theatres and one matinee last week. Over the past months students have been working long and hard to bring the project to fruition under the direction of Mr. Bolze and Mrs. Witte. As always there were many teachers and students involved beyond who were seen on stage adding their talents to wardrobe, choreography, music, lighting and sound, and set changes.
In the opening act the audience was transported to another time and we found ourselves in the bedroom of the children. Brianna Brand portrayed Wendy with grace and maturity, while her brothers played by Jonathan Torgrimson and Jotbir Grewal were just how we might imagine the two younger brothers, sometimes mischievous ,goofy and clumsy, lending some comic moments to the play. Actors Jenny Reece and Daniel Dudley were engaging in the roles of Mother and Father.
Of course we were all waiting for the older generation to leave on their night out and Nanny to fall asleep so we could see Peter and Tink come to life through the window and take us on the journey to that magical place of imagination and play. Tomy Gmitter brought warmth and credibility to his character throughout the play and Tink was saucy and impudent as ever as portrayed by Anna Millward.
The pirates led by the brash, colorful and outrageous Captain Hook who was played by Sammy Simeonidis , broke out into an unexpected cancan number that brought laughter from the crowd. Smead , played by Calum Boisvert kept the laughs coming through his comedic gestures and lines.
The lost boys really managed to capture the wildness of their role both in their waif like attire, unkempt hair, dirty faces and their displays of unbridled energy that comes from a life lived apart from a normal childhood.
Further along in imagination came another fun dance performed by the Indian ensemble and Tiger Lily capturing us in a child’s tribal play complete with a dance around a totem pole. By then we truly were in Neverland wondering when and if we would get home.
What is Neverland without a huge pirate brawl, a crocodile and the demise of Captain Hook ending in a resounding burp. Wendy and Peter’s final song brought to life the very true themes of the story – needing to be who we are and subsequently being where we belong. The sadness of the parting lessened with the promise of a yearly spring visit.
A relaxed and pleasant ambiance was created with colorful tables and twinkling candles setting the mood for a very enjoyable evening. Patrons were delighted with a home style cooked meal prepared by the student food team under direction of food science teacher Mrs. Karch along with Mrs. Harris. Friendly and attentive students such as Emily Gallop superseded in their efforts to seat and serve the family and friends of the actors.
The stage set effectively brought to life the world it needed to portray, helping us fly along with Peter and the children out the window of their bedroom to the jungle island complete with Hook’s ship and a foot totem pole.
All in all the night was a huge success bringing lightness and laughter to those of us lucky to be in the audience and yes even maybe making a few of us believe in fairies again. Bravo to a job well done students and staff of Chestermere Lake Middle School!
