Before travelling to Neverland, Peter Pan, the legendary boy who could fly was simply known as Boy.
Boy, an orphan living in London, is sold to a sea captain and embarks on a journey full of pirates, mermaids and a treasure trunk full of star matter. The story of the young orphan unfolds in the play Peter and the Starcatcher, the prequel to Peter Pan, which is being presented by Dover Bay Theatrix, the secondary school’s Grade 11 and 12 performing arts class.
Peter and the Starcatcher tells the back story of the Neverland characters.
Ward Norcutt, Dover Bay Secondary School drama teacher, said the play is built around the idea of story theatre.
“There is a lot of storytelling in it and using our imagination in fanciful and creative ways of showing what we are doing onstage without actually doing that thing,” said Norcutt.
The play is full of action.
“Our fight choreographer talked about this play as a pig that doesn’t want its lipstick put on, which is a really interesting analogy,” he said, adding that putting the play together has been a major undertaking for the cast and crew.
Nivedan Kaushal, who stars as Black Stache, is one of the main characters people will see in the fight scene, but instead of a sharp blade he wields a plunger.
“I get to kill someone with a toilet plunger, which is awesome,” said Kaushal, adding he also gets to fly around the set.
His character, who later becomes Captain Hook, is also allowed to break the fourth wall and talk directly to the audience.
“Black Stache is this phenomenally flamboyant, big, boisterous character,” said Kaushal. “He is also the main villain of the play. He goes around and he torments people, but he’s slightly stupid and still thinks he’s a genius at the same time, which plays to a lot of the comedy in the show,”
Norcutt said the students are dedicated and have been spending hours to perfect the play. The actors who appear onstage are brave and should be supported, said Norcutt.
“If you haven’t seen Peter and the Starcatcher you’re guaranteed a night of creativity, fun and all the behind the scenes things you didn’t know about Peter Pan are explained here,” he said.
Ben Loyst, who plays Boy and is the vocal director for the play, said he suggested Peter and the Starcatcher to the director.
“It’s a brilliant piece of theatre. It’s hard work but it is fun,” he said. “The centre moral of the show is remaining a kid and having the ability to face real difficult problems, like a kid and understanding the benefits of innocence.”
Loyst said the music is very well written and the play has the “perfect balance of storytelling through song,” and really great scenes.
Peter and the Starcatcher runs at Dover Bay Secondary School Tuesday to Friday (June 13-16) at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $10 or $5 for students and seniors, available at the door.
Peter and Starcatcher video
