The Adventures of Peter Rabbit

A good children’s show should appeal to adults as well. Parents can be assured the The Adventures of Peter Rabbit is no twee re-enactment of earnest and culturally anachronistic stories by overzealous actors in pantomime make-up. This Robinette adaptation, directed by Shauna-Lee Ward, is delightful.

Robinette is a prolific American playwright who has combined several stories in this one play. Overarching all, is the relationship between young Beatrix Potter and her governess, the latter of whom narrates the action. Enmeshed within that is the relationship between Beatrix and her parents; an indulgent father and a mother who attempts to constrain Beatrix to social expectations which do not include writing children’s tales. Other scenes depict life in the household of governess, Annie Moore, and the relationship between Beatrix Potter and her publisher.

These relationships play out on what appears to be two conventional, mirrored, drawing room sets, that is, until the central panel opens into a life-sized book, replicating Potter’s text and illustrations. This aspect of the set and the additional props and set pieces transform the acting area into space where several other stories take place - The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tailor of Gloucester, The Tale of Two Bad Mice, The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck, and The Tale of Mr Jeremy Fisher. The exposition might be overlong for small folk but is essential to the storytelling. Once the characters are established, however, the rest of the show proceeds with elan.

Helen Cronin’s artistic oversight and attention to detail was a remarkable feat. Without obscuring actors’ faces, she produced upwards of 50 headpieces for cats, mice, rabbits, frogs, dogs, turtles, ducks, and fish. The makeup was not excessive but overhead lighting did tend to cast some unfortunate shadows on faces.

The large cast worked under significant difficulty. Every actor took on several roles with the requirement to understudy several more as COVID restrictions impacted on rehearsals. Some excellent performers, for example Sam French in the titular role, appeared underutilised, but could have doubtless stepped into other parts at a second’s notice.

Eilish Bremmer Wojtowicz took the pivotal role of Beatrix Potter and, with the aid of costume, successfully portrayed a young girl who matures to a middle-aged woman. Every other performer, no matter how small their role, was essential to the action and all discharged themselves well. In such a large ensemble piece it would be inequitable, and almost impossible, to single out individuals. However, keep your eyes out for a pair of dogs, some very clever mice (and some naughty ones!), an agile cat, an inept frog, a seductive fox, a flighty duck, a stolid turtle, and an erudite newt. The totally laugh out loud scene involved two dolls and Jon Lenthall in the role of a toy policeman.

Anne Blythe-Cooper

Photographers: Wayne Wagg and Bob Linacre.