READING Repertory Theatre is gearing up for its latest production, the world premiere of Chris Cuming’s adaptation of Peter Pan.
It is also undergoing the launch of its first repertory company, which features performers from Reading.
Reading Rep has announced the full cast of the show, with Marley Lockhart taking the title role of the eponymous Pan, and Holly Rose portraying Wendy.
They’ll be joined by Amy Ambrose as both Hook and Mrs Darling, and Jak Ford Lane as Smee and Mr Darling, with Joe Swift and Eugene Evens rounding out the principal cast.
The new Repertory Company will see Aiden Marshall, Zoe Peters, Sharae Williams, Aniva Costa, Sam Francomb, and David Hill take to the stage for the company’s first outing.
David Hill said of being cast: “Having studied at East 15 acting school and now on my second year of Reading Rep Young Company, I am incredibly excited to be a part of my first professional show.
“Performing theatre has always brought me so much joy and I couldn’t wish to share the magic of Peter Pan with a better group of people.”
Zoe Peters said, “As of this year I was in the position to take part in various workshops with the National Youth Theatre and I joined the Young Company of Reading Rep devising new pieces of work where I heard about the opportunity to audition for an ensemble role in the production of Peter Pan.
“From this experience, I have learned the importance of the ensemble, setting the pace and driving the action forward.
“Working alongside some incredible actors and a professional crew has pushed me to further develop my approach to theatre.
“I was very lucky to start performing at a young age having opportunities growing up to take part in pantos, musicals, and ballets, and since my love for theatre has grown.”
Sharae Williams said, “I think rehearsals are such a joy to be in, we achieve so much which you’d think would be stressful but is quite the opposite. It’s a very safe space and everyone is so kind and unjudgmental.
“I enjoy the dances and I love the sequences involving Tinkerbell– it’s a very magical experience.”
Paul Stacey, Founding Artistic Director of Reading Rep, said of the production, “Reading Rep Theatre is continually reinventing itself as we move toward the close of our second season in our new venue.
“What better way to tell that story than through the eyes of Peter Pan: the boy who wouldn’t grow up.
“For the first time at Reading Rep our incredible professional cast will be working alongside a Rep Company comprised of local young people from our award-winning ENGAGE programme, which exists to ensure that everyone in Reading can access their local professional theatre.”
Reading Repertory Theatre is a multi-award winning theatre, including a Pride of Reading award for its cultural contribution in 2016, with founding artistic director Paul Stacey also receiving the Pride of Reading Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2021.
It is also supporting the Pride of Reading Awards in 2023.
Peter Pan is running at Reading Repertory Theatre from Thursday, April 6, to Saturday, April 29.
Full details and access to tickets are available via: www.readingrep.com/peter-pan/
