“PETER PAN.”

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 949, 14 May 1908, Page 17

“PETER PAN.”

J. M. Barrie’s delicious phantasy, “Peter Pan” at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, is abundantly proving that its claim is universal for it already holds in thrall Australian in common with British and American audiences (writes Mr George Tallis). The theatregoers who hang nightly upon the freaks of “dear, darling, invincible Peter Pan” find with W. T. Stead that they are renewing their youth in the exploits of the fascinating hero amid the Redskins, the Pirates and all the wonderful happenings that beset him and his band in the Never, Never, Never Land, and though perhaps there is a pang or two felt in the looking backward across the years to the long gone days of childhood, Miss Tittell’s joyous interpretation of the part does not permit of more than a passing sadness. . Her boy who wanted always to be little and have fun is such ,a gay and spritely elf, skimming lightlv the depths of emotion, never sorry for more than a minute, never cast down but always ready to find the fun his heart craved for, that tears when they do come, are quickly lost in laughter. Another who has admirably caught the light touch with which Barrie has invested his play, is Mr Loring Fernie whose bold bad pirate is a really fine performance worthy to rank among the best burlesque efforts we have had here for many a day. . Then there is Mr Chas. Weston as the cleverest of dogs, Nana, Mr Fred. Cambourne as Smee, the pirate boatswain, little Toots Pounds as ’Liza, Miss Florrie Kelly as a sweet and natural Wendy, Phil Curtis and little Rosie Fitzgerald as the Darling boys, and Miss Valentine Sidney as Mrs Darlin~ standing out from a caste of all round excellence.