Reading Rep has today announced the full cast and creative team for the world premiere of Chris Cumings’ adaptation of the J.M. Barrie classic Peter Pan, which runs from 6th – 29th April 2023.
The production, which will also be directed by Chris Cumings (A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Reading Rep), will be the theatre’s first production to include a local “Rep Company” of young actors, who auditioned to be part of the production. The Rep Company includes students from Reading College and the theatre’s Young Company.
When the mischievous Peter Pan invites the Darling siblings on the journey of a lifetime, together they explore a land filled with mermaids, pirates, fairies and a ticking crocodile. All through the eyes of a boy who will never grow up.
Paul Stacey, Founding Artistic Director of Reading Rep, said of the production: “Reading Rep Theatre is continually reinventing itself as we move toward the close of our second season in our new venue. What better way to tell that story than through the eyes of Peter Pan: the boy who wouldn't grow up. For the first time at Reading Rep our incredible professional cast will be working alongside a Rep Company comprised of local young people from our award-winning ENGAGE programme, which exists to ensure that everyone in Reading can access their local professional theatre.”
Joining Cuming on the creative team are Séan Aydon (The Picture of Dorian Gray) as Dramaturg, Libby Todd as Set & Costume Designer, Sam Glossop as Sound Designer, Jack Weir as Lighting Designer, Kelvin Towse as Composer, Becky Livermore as Costume Supervisor, Rose Burston as Stage Manager, Grace Davidson as Assistant Director (placement), Jamie Layfield as Assistant Sound Designer (placement), Abi Miller as Assistant Director (placement), Josh Waters as Assistant Stage Manager (placement), Ma Yifei as Assistant Designer (placement) and Sean Laing as Associate Production Manager.
Marley Lockhart, who played the role of Jake in three series of CBBC’s Millie InBetween, will play the titular role of Peter Pan. He also played the role of Fizzy in the Olivier Award-nominated Lyric Hammersmith production of Bugsy Malone.
Joining Lockhart in the cast of Peter Pan are Amy Ambrose (Mums The Word – UK Tour, A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Reading Rep) as Hook/Mrs Darling, Holly Burns (2022 graduate, professional debut) as Wendy, Eugene Evans (Romeo & Juliet – Lyric Theatre, Robin Hood – Hazlitt Theatre) as John/Crookson, Jak Ford Lane (46 Beacon – Hope Theatre, Matilda The Empress - Rabble) as Smee/Mr Darling and Joe Swift (Camp Albion – The Watermill Theatre, Pool (No Water) – The Royal Court) as Michael/Pirate.
The Rep Company for the production will be formed of Anvia Costa, Sam Francomb, David Hill, Aiden Marshall, Zoe Peters and Sharae Williams.
“Peter Pan” is presented by arrangement with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity and Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.
Tickets are on sale at www.readingrep.com. All tickets are under £20.
