Eden Court panto almost ready to fly as Peter Pan cast prepares to wow Highland audiences
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Eden Court's Peter Pan flies into the theatre for rehearsals – and specialist training in flying technique has been given to those members of cast and crew involved in making the magic of flight happen when the show opens on Wednesday.
The panto cast took a quick break for photographs this week as rehearsals continued for this year's production – in a show that will see the return of the 'lost boys and girls' absent from last year's production.
Covid restrictions had meant no youngsters were included in the cast last year.
But Peter Pan will see the return of the junior ensemble and local children sharing the roles of the Darling brothers John and Michael.
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This year's panto offers audiences the chance to fly away from tough daily realities – including yesterday's sad news of redundancies at the theatre – to head for Neverland with the story of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up. Wendy Darling and her brothers are lured from their London home to head for a world of pirates and adventure.
Director Steven Wren who will return as the dame, Mrs McSmee, said: "This year you can expect a load of adventure and a real laugh.”
Laughs are guaranteed as Steven teams up again for his sixth time as panto dame and the punchline-packed partnership with his comedy pal Ross Allan as Starkey.
Reece Duncan plays hero Peter Pan with Loranza Michelucci-Dunn as Wendy Darling. Laura Blair plays feisty tinkling fairy Tinkerbell, with Scott Ainslie as Captain Hook Brianna Jolly as Rainbow.
They will be joined on stage by Claire Darcy – also the production's choreographer – Reuben Woolard, Jessie-Jae Davis, Jamie Armour, Sophie Scott and Louis Gould.
Last year, the panto was shut down early on Christmas Eve because of restrictions introduced by the Scottish Government.
This year Peter Pan is set to run from December 8 to January 7.
Peter Pan is produced by Imagine Theatre and is written by Eric Potts – with additional material by Steven Wren.
Eden Court chief executive Rebecca Holt said: “We can’t wait to amaze our Highland audiences with this knock-out version of the wonderful Peter Pan story.
"Eden Court will be absolutely buzzing with family and friends enjoying the magic of theatre this Christmas.
"The atmosphere is sure to be electric as Steven Wren returns to lead a brilliant cast on to our Empire stage to make us laugh, cry and gasp in astonishment.”
This year five per cent of income from Peter Pan at Inverness will be contributed towards Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity's fundraising programme that helps provide vital up-to-date equipment, parental accommodation and fund research into better treatments for children everywhere.
To book panto tickets, go to: www.eden-court.co.uk
