Audiences young and old will be all smiles and flying high this June when Bonnie Lythgoe Productions presents The Adventures of Peter Pan & Tinker Bell in Return to Pantoland in its world premiere season at The Arts Centre Gold Coast from 23 June, before touring to Sydney and Melbourne in July.
Audiences will then be transported by the enchanting story, sumptuous glittering sets, spectacular effects, gorgeous fairytale costumes, fantastic song and dance numbers, infectious and riotous comedy, magic and bags of audience participation. Lythgoe has assembled a stellar cast including Todd McKenney (The Boy From Oz, Dancing With The Stars) who will play the role of Captain Hook.
“By hook or by crook, Todd will be Captain Hook, said Lythgoe on the casting. “He is witty and smart and great for the part. Todd is the one and only ‘Hook’ for me. He sings, he acts and he dances like a dream. Just Perfect!” On playing Captain Hook McKenney said he was excited to be playing a villain. “I said I’ll do this if you can guarantee I’m going to get booed when I walk on stage as Captain Hook.”
McKenney will be joined by Hi-5 favourite Tim Maddren as Peter Pan; Jaime Hadwen as Tinker Bell; Katrina Retallick as Mrs Darling and Mimi the Magic Mermaid; former Girlfriend lead- singer Robyn Loau as Tiger Lilly and Mark Jones as Smee.
Bonnie Lythgoe Productions is Australia’s biggest family musical pantomime producer. The Adventures of Peter Pan & Tinker Bell will be the fourth panto produced by Lythgoe, after the success of Snow White Winter Family Musical in 2014, followed by Aladdin and His Wondrous Lamp in 2015, and Cinderella in 2016. Bonnie has been staging pantos in the USA and UK for a number of years.
Well known for her creativity and involvement in global television hits American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance and most recently I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Bonnie is dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across the country by presenting fun, musical theatre that the whole family from the age of 3 to 103 can enjoy.
“Those who have never been to a Panto will have a glorious introduction to the form.” – Los Angeles Times
The Adventures of Peter Pan & Tinker Bell in Return to Pantoland
The Arts Centre Gold Coast, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
Season: 23 June – 1 July 2017
Bookings: www.theartscentregc.com.au
State Theatre, 49 Market Street, Sydney
Season: 7 – 16 July 2017
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au
Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Season: 21 – 30 July 2017
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au
For more information, visit: www.ozpanto.com for details.
Image: Todd McKenney as Captain Hook (supplied)