Imagination Takes Center Stage in 'Peter Pan: Non-Flying Version'

Peter Pan is a high-flying adventure that has been cherished by audiences for more than 120 years… but what if Peter, Wendy, and Tinker Bell couldn’t fly across the stage? Could they still magically transport audiences to Neverland? Canterbury’s Fall Play answered that question (a resounding "yes!") with Peter Pan: Non-Flying Version.

Co-directed by Keiko Mathewson and Christopher Rich, this innovative rendition of J.M. Barrie's beloved stage play offered performers the opportunity to reimagine the iconic elements of Peter Pan and make the staging, characters, and Neverland itself their own.

“Watching my fellow actors build up their own characters was so exciting. They truly found their own voices,” says Hannah S. ’27, who played the dastardly Captain Hook. “Developing this silly, over-the-top character helped me to become more confident offstage; I've begun channeling Hook’s ridiculous confidence in my everyday life.” 

“Without flying, we are grounded—but not limited,” Mrs. Mathewson wrote in the program. “In fact, it has allowed us to focus more deeply on the relationships, the humor, and the emotional stakes of the story.”

But even after weeks of rehearsals and hard work, there’s only one thing that really brings a show together: an engaged audience. For two nights, Maguire Auditorium was filled with laughter, smiles, and more than a little childhood whimsy.

“The audience and their reactions are what make a show,” says Mrs. Mathewson. “From the energy to the audible ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs,’ they really helped bring our story to life.”

Bravo to the cast, crew, and artistic team of Peter Pan: Non-Flying Version! Thank you for reminding us that all it takes to reach great new heights is faith, trust, and imagination…

Cast:

Wendy - Victoria O. ’26

Mrs. Darling - Emily T. ’29

Nana - Donna Z. ’28

Mr. Darling - Jacob M. ’27

The Narrator - Mykyta (Nikita) G. ’29

Peter Pan - Zachary M. ’27

Tinkerbell - Annabelle M. ’29

Tootles - Ryan D. ’27

Nibs - Franny F. ’27

Curly - Lucas W. ’29

Slightly - Jacob M. ’27

Captain Hook - Hannah S. ’27

Smee - Amelia W. ’26

Cecco - Sophia J. ’29

Skylight - Ornella S. ’27

Silence - Zeba A. ’26

Starkey - Alana B. ’29

Shorty - Anne Marie C. ’29

Tiger Lily - Julianna P. ’29

Toma - Emily T. ’29

Jane - Anne Marie C. ’29

Wendy (Understudy) - Emily T. ’29
 

Student Designers/Technical Crew

Stage Manager: Maddie Lavertue ’27

Props Manager: Raven Reaves ’26

Costume Designer, Seamstress & Execution: Isabella Mitchell ’27

Hair & Make Up Design: Isabella Mitchell ’27

Sound Design & Operation: Maeve Prendergast ’27

Sound Assistant: CiCi Lu ’28

Light Board Operator: Kinley Vail ’29

Deck Crew: Paisley Damon ’27, Liam Hamlet ’27, Hudson Soifersmith ’27, Max Wolff ’26
 

Artistic Team

Directors: Keiko Mathewson, Christopher Rich

Technical Director and Scenic Designer: Leif Smith

Sound Designer: Kenneth Mard III ’99

Lighting Designer: Al Chiappetta 

Scenic Assistants: Carol Haines, Clara Smith


View Performance Photos

View Rehearsal Photos