“Do You Believe in Magic?”
Goes the song sung by Peter Pan (Arvind Hirdaramani) and the drama unfolds, transporting the audience to “Neverland”, the world of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys.
The play is an adaptation of J.M.Barrie’s immortal classic, “Peter Pan”. It also borrows freely from J.K.Rowling’s best-selling Harry Potter series along with adventure stories of pirates and Red Indians.
“Time forces us to redefine ourselves; to reach new highs and break new boundaries. Working with children has helped me to understand life from a fresh perspective.”commented Ms.Gopitha Kiribandara, director of the play.
“With virtually half of the Junior Section participating (cast of 180 students), there was a tremendous feeling of energy generated and enthusiasm displayed amongst the children taking part, right from the first day of rehearsals” remarked Mrs.Tamara Perera, head of the Junior School.
“It all starts with the face at the window. Tired of their boring existence, the three Darling children Wendy, John and Michael crave for adventure. However, such ideas seem silly amidst the quiet comfortable existence in Bloomsbury, London. But one fateful night, the children have a visitor who transports them into the magical world of Neverland, a once beautiful land which is now overrun by pirates.
And in another corner of London, Gary Potter, wizard extraordinaire, runs away from home in a bid to remain free from the clutches of his narrow-minded relatives. Still inept at magic, Gary and his friends find themselves trapped in Neverland and forced to fight for their lives to escape the clutches of the evil Captain Hook.” goes the synopsis.
The flying sequence is thrilling with the children being hooked up and floating above the stage. Gary Potter punishes Aunty Marge for her insulting comments by making her fly and her cries and protests while flying are funny.
The songs and dance routines provide good entertainment and the children obviously enjoy themselves on stage along with the two choirs on either side.
“The most important skill for a dancer is to learn the steps of dance routines. Not many people realize how much concentration and memory ability are required to remember them and to perform with such brilliance in front of a large audience at this age. I should say, you children are a truly talented and gifted lot.
I congratulate all 100 children who made it through the auditions and co-operated with enthusiasm through practice sessions.”observed choreographer Shanika Weerasinghe.
The play combined adventure, suspense, light and colour. In the words of the song,
"So come with me, where dreams are born, and time is never planned.
Just think of happy things, and your heart will fly on wings forever, in Never Never Land!”
Reviewed by Sirohmi Gunesekera
Pics by Kushan Pathirana
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