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Summerland students stage Peter Pan prelude

Comedy will be staged Dec. 12 and 13
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Senior acting students from Summerland Secondary School will stage Peter and the Starcatcher Dec. 12 and 13 at Centre Stage Theatre in Summerland. The play provides background to characters from the beloved Peter Pan story. (John Arendt/Summerland Review)

Senior acting students at Summerland Secondary School will bring to life the story behind Peter Pan.

The students will stage Peter and the Starcatcher at Centre Stage Theatre on Dec. 12 and 13, beginning at 7 p.m.

The play, which was first performed in 2009, is adapted from the 2004 novel, Peter and the Starcatchers, by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.

The story serves as the prequel to J.M. Barrie’s 1904 novel, Peter and Wendy.

“It’s a fun, fun pirate story,” said Heather Ayris, drama teacher at Summerland Secondary School.

The story provides the background to characters in the well-loved Peter Pan story. These include details about Peter Pan, Mrs. Darling, Tinker Bell and Captain Hook.

While the high school has performed numerous musicals, Peter and the Starcatcher focuses on the actors and acting. There are four songs in the play, but it is not considered a musical.

“It’s a very difficult production, and this group is really good,” Ayris said.

A total of 30 Acting 11/12 students are in the cast, with five technicians. 

Ayris said past students from the high school’s theatre program have gone on to work in the arts. 

Some recent graduates are now studying theatre or working in film or theatre across Canada, on stage or in related roles.

“We’ve got quite a few who are in the movie industry,” she said.

Admission to the two shows is by donation.

In the spring, students at the high school will be on stage once again as the school stages The Addams Family, a musical comedy.



John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

I have worked as a newspaper journalist since 1989 and have been at the Summerland Review since 1994.
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