
Creators: Jonathan Alver & James Doy MNZM
Producer: National Youth Theatre
Team Leader & Choreographer: Tyler Johnston
Director: Rachael Bloemendal
Musical Director: Jonathon Hawthorn
Cast: “53 of the best young performers in the country”
4-6 October 2024, Clarence St Theatre
In 2004, the National Youth Theatre was established to provide opportunities for young people aged 7 to 21. Since then, they have gone to produce more than 40 musicals. Tonight, the next generation of performers from Kirikiriroa Hamilton stepped into the limelight with Jonathan Alver and James Doy’s creation, Wendy: The Peter Pan Musical.
J.M. Barrie’s classic story of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell flying Wendy, Michael and John to Neverland where they encounter the Lost Boys, Tiger Lily, Mermaids, pirates, birds, animals, sea creatures, the crocodile, and the villain Captain Hook was condensed into an hour-long performance. The original songs were appropriate for the young voices, and the cast confidently delivered the witty one-liners. Across the stage the performers enthusiastically had the time of their lives with the choreography.
Well-known musical theatre talent Rachael Bloemendal and Jonathan Hawthorn took on the roles of Director and Musical Director respectively. Both have extensive experience performing on the Clarence St stage and know the intricacies of what is required physically and vocally to entertain in the venue. Bloemendal used the full width and depth of the stage, and made sure the soloists found their light. Hawthorn was blessed with some spectacular vocal talent amongst the cast so shaped some adept harmonies and ensured clean diction.
The show wrapped with the message “teamwork is a much better way,” and this proved to be true. I take my hat off to the parents and caregivers who have been ferrying the children to and fro for a couple of months in order for the production to occur. In decades to come, the stars of musical theatre will look back fondly on the skills they picked up during Wendy: The Peter Pan Musical.
There are three performances remaining, including matinees at 1:30pm on both Saturday and Sunday. The directions to Neverland are "second to the right, and straight on till morning." It's even easier to find the theatre, just go straight to Clarence Street.
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