Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens - Play review

Tanya Ronder and Ben Harrison’s production of Peter Pan not only breathes new life into JM Barrie’s oft-told story of fairies and pirates, but allows the audience to truly experience the adventure like never before.

Performed in a £1m purpose-built tent in Kensington Gardens, the production’s unique draw is the stunning 360-degree animated visuals projected onto the theatre’s roof. Representing everything from the rooftops of the Darling family’s street to the depths of the jungle, the visuals really come into their own during the spectacular flying sequences. As the actors swirl about on wires above the audience, we are taken on an aerial tour over London, along the Thames and over Buckingham Palace – it’s a breathtaking sequence that alone is worth the ticket price.

While the script is wisely aimed squarely at its main audience of children (one slightly awkward and pointless erotic dance sequence by Tiger Lily aside), the sheer energy of the cast coupled with William Dudley’s inspired production design ensures that adults will be just as enthralled as their offspring.

24-year-old Ciaran Kellgren (last seen in Channel 4’s Shameless as Debbie’s boyfriend) excels as the titular Peter, exuding a feral frenzy of unpredictability (think Daniel Radcliffe in TV interview mode). It’s a captivating performance that keeps the audience rooting for Peter even when he’s acting selfishly or throwing some mighty dramatic strops.

While Kellgren’s age is never a problem, the actors portraying the Darling siblings have a harder job convincing as children. Similarly distracting is the decision to have Nana the dog animated by a man onstage holding a puppet.

These are minor criticisms though in a production that is an essential family day out this summer.



Wednesday 5th August 2009 at The Kensington Garden Theatre.

Tickets are available from visitlondon.com/peterpan or on 0871 386 1122.