Markyate Amateur Dramatics Society

2010 saw the Mads cast and crew get stuck in to pirates, lost boys and high jinks with an adaptation of JM Barrie’s classic children’s tale, ‘Peter Pan’. The story follows the journey of three young children, Wendy, John and Michael Darling as they discover the joy of childrenhood alongside the boy who never grew up, Peter Pan. They fly away to Never Land where they meet the Lost Boys (Peter’s gang) and have lots of fun and games meeting Indians, fighting Pirates, but eventually being captured by Captain Hook, Mr Smee and thei band of ruffians. Peter inevitably saves the day with some help from his friend Tinkerbell, and the children return home to London where they are reunited with their parents who realise that being child-like isn’t such a bad thing at all.

Although Peter Pan isn’t quite so panto-orientated in it’s story and style, the Mads cast did a wonderful job of recreating that world of wonder through song, dance and general sillyness. The Lost Boys performed superbly, their rendition of ‘Consider Yourself’ from Lionel Bart’s ‘Oliver’ was a lot of fun, with cast members of all ages giving it their all. The pirates must also be metioned for their singing of ‘It’s a Fine Life’ – lots of piratical growling and hornpiping, it was brilliant. The little pirate being shot out of a canon was a site to be seen and congratualtions must be extended to the backstage crew and set builders for their ingenuity and eye for detail in pulling that one off!  The Indians were put through their paces with a big dance routine to finish the first half, which they performed magnificently, and certian people (you know who you are) have gained a reputation for some spectacular bottom wiggling… The costumes were simply spectacular, the set was wonderful and the crocodile had a puncture by the final performance. A great show and a great cast. Who knows what next year will bring… Watch this space!