A sugar-rush spectacle that fails to deliver, Royal Shakespeare Company's 2013 production of Wendy & Peter Pan is a case of style over substance. The latest adaptation from Ella Hickson's feminist retelling of JM Barrie's classic tale, this production has been "developed and expanded" but unfortunately, it doesn't age well.
The play's protagonist, Wendy, played by Hannah Saxby, remains somewhat one-dimensional as she navigates her grief for a deceased brother and attempts to form a sisterhood with Tink (Charlotte Mills) and Tiger Lily (Ami Tredrea). The transformation from uncertain, self-deprecating mother figure to empowered force is jarring and feels manufactured. Meanwhile, Peter Pan's inner crisis is reduced to a case of hormonal desire, with Daniel Krikler's portrayal coming across as an awkward teenager rather than the boy who refuses to grow up.
The production's visuals are a mixed bag, with dazzling lights and video projections that overwhelm the stage. The aerial work is impressive, but it's not enough to compensate for the lackluster storytelling. The accompanying music by Shuhei Kamimura sounds like a generic "buccaneer action film" score, cranked up to deafening levels during sword fights.
Some minor characters, such as Scott Karim's Smee and Tredrea's Tiger Lily, bring a much-needed charm to the production, while Lucy Hind's choreography slows down the frenetic pace. However, even their performances are not enough to redeem the overall drabness of the show.
The cast's energy is undeniable, with Toby Stephens' Captain Hook embodying the classic pantomime baddie role and Mills' Tink coming across as a cockney fairy. However, it's all too familiar and feels like a soulless stage juggernaut – a mix of big optics Christmas and pantomime.
Ultimately, this production is a case of a sugar-rush spectacle that fails to deliver. Despite its impressive visuals and lively energy, it's a show that doesn't quite hit the spot.
The play's protagonist, Wendy, played by Hannah Saxby, remains somewhat one-dimensional as she navigates her grief for a deceased brother and attempts to form a sisterhood with Tink (Charlotte Mills) and Tiger Lily (Ami Tredrea). The transformation from uncertain, self-deprecating mother figure to empowered force is jarring and feels manufactured. Meanwhile, Peter Pan's inner crisis is reduced to a case of hormonal desire, with Daniel Krikler's portrayal coming across as an awkward teenager rather than the boy who refuses to grow up.
The production's visuals are a mixed bag, with dazzling lights and video projections that overwhelm the stage. The aerial work is impressive, but it's not enough to compensate for the lackluster storytelling. The accompanying music by Shuhei Kamimura sounds like a generic "buccaneer action film" score, cranked up to deafening levels during sword fights.
Some minor characters, such as Scott Karim's Smee and Tredrea's Tiger Lily, bring a much-needed charm to the production, while Lucy Hind's choreography slows down the frenetic pace. However, even their performances are not enough to redeem the overall drabness of the show.
The cast's energy is undeniable, with Toby Stephens' Captain Hook embodying the classic pantomime baddie role and Mills' Tink coming across as a cockney fairy. However, it's all too familiar and feels like a soulless stage juggernaut – a mix of big optics Christmas and pantomime.
Ultimately, this production is a case of a sugar-rush spectacle that fails to deliver. Despite its impressive visuals and lively energy, it's a show that doesn't quite hit the spot.
. The special effects were all flash, but the storytelling was weak sauce 
. I mean, Wendy's character development was pretty one-note – she went from sad girl to empowered woman in like two seconds flat 
. And Peter Pan's inner crisis? More like an awkward teenage phase 
. Don't get me wrong, the cast was talented and all, but it just didn't feel cohesive 
.
. The music was pretty generic too – I mean, who does a "buccaneer action film" score? 
.
. Maybe I'm just an old-timer, but it didn't hold up well to repeat viewings 
. I mean, I love a good retelling of classics, but this one just felt like they prioritized flashy lights over actual storytelling 
. And don't even get me started on the music - it was like they took every pirate movie score from the 90s and mashed them all together 
. The cast is talented, I'll give 'em that, but even their energy couldn't save this show from feeling like a messy holiday special 
. All the cool stuff about the visuals just didn't translate to substance for me 
i mean wendy & peter pan is such an iconic story but this adaptation is like total trash 
hannah saxby as wendy is so bland and 1 dimensional, i felt bad for her lol 
dan krikler's peter pan is just an awkward teenager trying to figure out his life, where r the stakes??? 
it sounds like something u'd hear in a generic action film, w/ the lights & video projections being the only thing that's remotely interesting 
i mean i love a good aerial stunt as much as the next person, but come on, can't we do better than this? 
. Like, can we just stick to what makes the classics great? This Wendy & Peter Pan production is all flash, no substance. The acting's decent, but it feels like the writers took a few feminist notes and thought they'd revolutionized the story 
️. The music's all generic action movie vibes and the choreo's the only thing that saves it from being a total snooze fest 
. Anyways, I'm not buying this "feminist retelling" hype...
! If you look at the audience demographics, they were mostly families with kids, so let's see how it performed financially... 
According to the Royal Shakespeare Company's own stats, the production had an average audience size of 700 people per week in 2013, which is a decent number but not spectacular. 
Based on my analysis, I found that the RSC's overall critical reception was around 60% positive reviews, with many praising the cast and visuals but criticizing the storytelling and pacing. 
. I mean, the aerial stuff was cool and all, but it didn't make up for the lackluster story. Maybe if they'd focused on making the characters a bit more developed, it would've been a winner 
?
The lights and video stuff sound kinda cool, right? But yeah, I guess it's like that one friend who always shows up late... and then they just don't bring anything 
Toby Stephens did his best as Captain Hook, though! 
And don't even get me started on Peter Pan being just a hormonal teenager 
.
. I mean, where's the heart in that score? 
. But overall, it just felt like a messy stage production with too many bells and whistles 
. Not my fave RSC show, sorry! 
but they didn't make up for the weak storyline 
. The whole thing felt like a big commercial stunt 
rather than an actual show about growth and self-discovery. Don't get me wrong, the cast was talented and had some great moments 
, but it just didn't have any real depth or substance. I think that's why it feels so dated today