I believe I can fly

SCHOOL children are learning to fly in more ways than one in Music and Stage for Kids’ (MASK) upcoming production of Peter Pan. Flying effects specialists from the US were brought to Bahrain to teach the actors and crew the tricks of the trade to ensure the musical adventure really takes off.

The much-loved tale of Peter Pan revolves around a mischievous boy who can fly and never grows old.

Bringing the story to life on stage requires a lot of effort and flying director Daniel Kondas, 29, was hard at work with the players from MASK theatre company, which is part of the Academy of Performing Arts based at the British School of Bahrain (BSB), making sure they were ready for the performance.

The show will be performed on a purpose-built stage, specially rigged up for the demands of the flying scenes.

Daniel said: “The whole team here at the BSB has been incredible, they’re all ready to learn and happy to put in the work required.

“The children that are in the show are extremely talented, they’re doing very well. And all the volunteers are great, eager to put their back’s into it and keen to learn, which makes my job easier.”

Daniel promised theatre fans they are in for a real treat with this production. He said: “People can expect big things from this show, the flying effects give the show just a little bit more oomph, they make everything more dynamic and exciting.

“The wires are all weighted to ensure they can take the load and great care has been put into making everything safe so all that’s left is for everyone to enjoy the show!”

The production has been licensed by special arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and will feature a cast of around 100 children, teens and adults from every corner of Bahrain. 

Director of Performing Arts at the BSB, Lydia Martin, said: “It has been an extremely challenging show to put on as it features a number of different cast groupings including Hook’s tyrannical pirate crew who will have you falling off your seat with laughter at their ridiculous tirades and cheering for more when they sing in harmonies akin to the Kings Singers!”

One of the challenges the team faced while bringing the well-loved tale to life was the demands of ‘flying’ members of the cast which is of vital importance to the story.
 
Lydia said: “For this we flew in a professional special effects flying company from the US called ZFX who installed professional ‘flying’ equipment and trained our cast and crew in the choreography and operation.”

In the story, Peter Pan teaches Wendy Darling and her two brothers how to fly in order for them to accompany him to Neverland where he hopes Wendy will become a mother for all the lost boys.
 
The production boasts a cast of 25 lost boys (and girls) plus 12 young braves who are accompanied by real live student drummers. The cast are also supported by a female chorus comprising adults and students.  

Lydia said: “The show also features stunning choreography by the Academy of Performing Arts’ very own dance teacher Louise Chapman who is the most highly qualified dance teacher in the kingdom. Whereas many productions of Peter Pan use only a light to indicate the fairy Tinkerbell’s presence our team decided that Tinkerbell would be played by a top dance student who would delight the audience with her magical moves. Tinkerbell will be played alternatively by Lucy Baker and Camille Freschi.

“All of our shows are contemporary in that the directorial style of myself and my team is cutting-edge and our passion unmatchable. The choreography is fresh and original with music, script and drama from the original Broadway version by Stiles, Drewe and Willis.” 
Although the obvious highlight of the show will be the flying effects, the pirates musical renditions are said to be an important feature. 

The show will feature two separate leading casts due to the demands of the roles. Raith Hamzah (Peter Pan) of Bahrain Bayan School is returning to MASK for the third time to play a lead role. 

The talent youngster gave a riveting portrayal of Mufasa and Simba in The Circle of Life two years previously and another stunning performance as Riff in Bernstein’s West Side Story last year. 

Acting alongside him as Wendy is Cameron Icelli a student at St Christopher’s School and acclaimed dancer who has recently discovered that her talents also extend to singing and acting.

The show also provides a showcase for two rising stars from the BSB, Ali Adenwala (Peter Pan) and Deema Turkomani (Wendy), both of whom played supporting roles in MASK’s performance of West Side Story. 

Taking the role of Peter’s archenemy, Captain Hook, is Academy of Performing Arts music teacher, Szabolcs Nigo.

The production also features cameo performances by Sayf Turkomani/Yannis Panagis (Smee), Eman Al Aradi (Storyteller) and Alex Khan (Tigerlily).

Lydia said: “The show will be a grand theatrical spectacular full of dazzling flying sequences including the fight sequence between Peter Pan and Hook and the flight to Neverland of Peter and the Darling children.”

The show opens at the British School of Bahrain, Hamala, on March 19 at 7pm. Other showings take place March 20 at 7pm, March 21 at 2pm and 7pm and March 22 at 6pm.

Tickets are available from all Al Osra outlets and British School of Bahrain and cost BD8 and BD5 concessions for general admission with BD12 and BD8 for premium admission.