ROME -- Down the steps of the Teatro Arciliuto in Piazza di Montevecchio the cast of Peter and the Starcatcher brought the childlike wonder of Peter Pan to Rome on their opening night on Thursday. 

 The play, a prequel to the much loved classic Peter Pan, adapted to stage by Rick Ellis was directed by Professor of Performing Arts Carl Granieri and his crew, who had travelled from America to put on a show that stunned the audience. 

 While the audience battled Rome’s oppressive heatwave, the characters themselves partook in battles, songs, and shipwrecks in the imaginative and hilarious backstory of Peter Pan. From pop culture references to witty puns, all complemented by Granieri’s expert direction, the audience was taken on an adventure back to 1885.

 The intimate setting of the Teatro Arciliuto added a unique charm to the performance, with the audience even invited to witness the behind-the-scenes warm-ups and preparations, preparing them for the magical world about to unfold on stage. 

 However, it wasn’t just Peter Pan’s backstory, the performance was bursting with motifs and references from the original work. Captain Hook, the Lost Boys, the mermaids in the lagoon, and even the ticking clock of the crocodile all made appearances. 

  Notable performances came from Nick Mackowiak as Boy and Alexis Apple as Molly, who brought many tender elements to a show brimming with laughter. Mackowiak balanced the playful, carefree nature of Peter Pan with the deeper, more tumultuous aspects of his character's youth. He struck the perfect balance between the character’s youthful innocence and the journey towards becoming the boastful and adventurous Peter Pan we all know.  

 Roberto Ferrara’s portrayal of Black Stache was particularly memorable. Embodying the campness of traditional British pantomime, Ferrara's villainous Stache stole the show. Aided by Brooke Murphy as Smee, who often finished his sentences, the pair completed the classic villainous double act. Nicoletta Brunelli’s Mrs. Bumbrake, a nanny with perfect comedic timing, was also a standout.

 The performance came together however thanks to the whole cast, often portraying multiple characters and moving in and out of their roles to narrate the story with fast paced, snappy dialogue. The team also had the extra pressure of becoming inanimate in the performance, becoming part of the set itself at times. Perhaps the most memorable transformation was when a group of actors, equipped with only two green rake heads and the handlebar of an old bike, became the famous crocodile from Neverland.

  Produced in association with the University of Louisiana's Performing Arts, the play’s energy and imaginative storytelling make it a must-see for anyone looking to experience theatre at its most captivating.

  Peter and the Starcatcher runs from 20 June - 29 June at Teatro Arciliuto, Piazza di Montevecchio, 5, 00186

lw