Fly into the school holidays with the ultimate pirate adventure when Disney’s Peter Pan Jr brings its swashbuckling magic to the Peoples Theatre until July 31. 

Join Peter, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, Mr Smee, the Lost Boys and Tiger Lily, as well as Wendy, John and Michael Darling as they fire up young imaginations with their amazing adventures in Never Land.

Directors Jill Girard and Keith Smith have once again assembled a dynamic cast of experienced professional actors to bring to life JM Barrie’s classic tale of the mischievous boy who can fly – and who stubbornly refuses to grow up.

More than 100 years since the play was first staged, the story of Peter Pan remains a much-loved favourite that evokes the ideal of everlasting, adventure-filled youth.

Audiences can expect fantastical animated flying sequences and thrilling enacted fight scenes, coupled with the storytelling flair, engaging musical numbers and fun interaction that audiences of all ages have come to expect from the Peoples Theatre, based at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein.

With a set by Grant Knottenbelt, costumes by Linda Wilson, special effects costumes by Trudie Ströh and choreography by Sandy Dyer, Disney’s Peter Pan Jr is set to entrance and delight these winter holidays.

The musical stars Phillip Schnetler as Peter Pan; LJ Urbani as Captain Hook/Mr Darling (the roles are traditionally played by the same actor in musical theatre); Clive Gilson as Smee/Nana (the dog) and the Indian chief; Noni Mkhonto as Tinker Bell; Kayli Smith as Mrs Darling and Tiger Lily; and Samantha Aria as Pirate/Indian/Maid.

Phillip is a versatile performer who obtained his provincial and national colours in acrobatics before going to study musical theatre – skills that will no doubt be put to good use in his role as the boy who could fly! He has performed in several professional musical theatre productions and a play he starred in, Onthou, recently won the prize for Best Production at both the Kopanong Krêkvars Festival and the Live Arts Little Theatre Festival.

LJ is a seasoned musical theatre performer with credits as lead actor in productions of The Rocky Horror Show, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story and Monty Python’s Spamalot. He was most recently seen starring in Janice Honeyman’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty.

Clive is the original triple threat – with experience of ballet and tap dancing, he is not just a twinkletoes but also a dab hand at performing any genres ranging from Shakespeare and comedy to pantomime. Noni is also no stranger to children’s musical theatre, with roles in productions of Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, The Little Mermaid as well as Sister Act at the Joburg Theatre.

Kayli is an Assitej Children’s Theatre Ambassador and has appeared in several professional productions, including children’s theatre, in South Africa and Dubai. Peoples Theatre audiences will fondly remember Samantha from her roles in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr and Disney’s Aladdin Jr.

An array of budding young actors will also be treading the boards during each performance, giving audiences a glimpse of South Africa’s stars of tomorrow.

Performance times are Mondays to Fridays at 9am and 11am (during the school term); and on Saturdays, certain Sundays and government school holidays at 10.30am and 2.30pm.

To book phone 011 403 1563/2340 or go to http://www.peoplestheatre.co.za, http://www.joburgtheatre.com, or http://www.webtickets.co.za.