King’s Head Adapts Pan with Bernstein's Full ScoreDate: 1 November 2006
Leonard Bernstein’s music and lyrics for Peter Pan have been brought together for the first time as a complete score which will be premiered next month in a new stage adaptation of JM Barrie’s classic children’s story, which runs from 15 December 2006 to 14 January 2007 (previews from 11 December) at north London’s King’s Head Theatre (See News, 29 Mar 2006).
The 115-seater theatre situated in Islington’s historic 19th-century pub was founded in 1970 by Dan Crawford, who died in July last year (See News, 14 Jul 2005). It was the first dinner theatre in the UK and the original London pub theatre, which kickstarted the Fringe scene. Now under the artistic directorship of Stephanie Sinclaire, Crawford’s widow, and Ann Pinnington, the theatre is committed to continuing to provide creative and entertaining theatre for the local and London theatregoing community.
Peter Pan marks the first in-house production at the King’s Head since Crawford’s death. Barrie’s story, about the boy who lives in Neverland and refuses to grow up and his friendship with the Darling children, was first produced for the stage in 1904 and appeared as a novel in 1911, which forms the heart of this new version, which is being adapted and directed by Sinclaire.
The musical features the music and lyrics of Leonard Bernstein (best known for West Side Story) under the musical direction of Mike Dixon, whose West End musical credits include We Will Rock You, Daddy Cool, Footloose, Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, Aspects of Love, Doctor Dolittle, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and La Cage Aux Folles.
The production has costumes by Gary Page (whose credits include the Harry Potter films) and choreography by Marc Urquhart. Katherine Kastin stars as Peter Pan in a cast that also features Peter Land (Mr Darling and Captain Hook), Rafaella Hutchinson (Tinkerbell) and Oscar Redif (one of four Michaels).
- by Caroline Ansdell
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