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Andrew Dembina

Peter Pan

ABA Productions

Hong Kong Academy for

Performing Arts Lyric Theatre

Reviewed: Jun 9

This slick adaptation of J.M. Barrie's  classic  fairy tale Peter Pan  was no doubt very different to the panto versions  some parents  attending Saturday night's packed house  grew up with. A bass-heavy uplifting contemporary world music score resounded around an impressive surround-sound set-up; striking backdrop and lighting combined

art deco flavour with 1970s disco glitter-ball effects; choreography borrowed from film-making;    actors got up close to the audience; and fresh life radiated from some of

the characters - notably the tale's premier villains: pirate captain James Hook (Scott Sauer) and Smee (Christine Baldwin).

The music and songs of this locally born version, devised by Matthew Gregory's ABA Productions, captivates from curtain up when the African-meets-Euro folk dance score of Cu Chullian brings the audience a glimpse of  life among the Lost Boys and Girls of Neverland and their sworn enemies, the pirates of the Jolly Roger.

This version of the tale centres on   the three Darling family siblings - and their dog  - being whisked from their  bedroom to Neverland for an otherworldly adventure.

Matthew Gregory, executive producer at ABA Productions - who has directed a series  of successful shows in recent years -  adapted Welsh composer Karl Jenkins'

score (not intended for Peter Pan) to give the story  a  fresh feel.  The pieces also incorporate elements of flamenco and new age and Amuer Calderon's additions. A standout is St Declan's Deone, in which electric guitars break up flutes, fiddles, bongos and other percussion. Calderon has also written new  works for the show, including the humorous It Wasn't Smee and  We all Wanna be Captain Hook.

Some  men in the house might have wanted to be Captain Hook,   as the performance by Sauer - who also played the Darling children's father - was a standout. His  rakish dandy rendition was full of controlled emotional and comic range. The Fairy Queen (also  Mrs Darling) was played with understated grace by Erin Brodie, while Michael Lin's Peter Pan  (left) was full of vitality. He and Ryutaro Yanagita play Pan in alternate performances.

It's little wonder this show, first performed in Hong Kong in 2004,  is a perennial favourite.

HK$255-HK$355, HKTicketing. Inquiries: 3128 8288. Ends Jun 24



Peter Pan