The cowardly villain, Captain Hook, plots his revenge against the mischievous and childish Peter Pan with the aid of his pirate crew.
He’s a complicated man. Hook wavers between being a wimp and a confident leader.
For 12-year-old Teagan Thomson, starring in Headliners School of Performing Arts’ presentation of Peter Pan, Captain Hook was a hard character to become. He’d never played a villain before, despite being in other Headliners’ productions such as Aladdin and The Addams Family.
“It definitely hasn’t been easy, but it’s been a lot of fun,” he said. “Hook is kind of cowardly when no one is around, but when the pirates are there he is strong.”
One of his favourite parts is conveying Hook’s characteristics with his props, such as the sword, telescope, keys and hook.
The production is based off of Disney’s animated version of the story. It features new arrangements for songs, such as Following the Leader, You Can Fly and The Second Star to the Right.
For Thomson, one of his favourite moments in the play is singing, Never Smile a Crocodile.
“It is my main solo,” he said.
Thomson’s Peter Pan cast mates Rose Joly, 8, and Autumn Vannini, 10, said the production has been a lot of fun.
Joly plays Tinkerbell and said she loves the character because she gets to be bold.
“Tinkerbell is very sassy. I get right into it,” said Joly.
Vannini plays Peter Pan. She likes the character because he’s a bit conceited.
“He brags a lot and takes charge of things. He thinks he’s the boss,” she said.
Headliners’ production of Peter Pan features 36 actors between the ages of six and 11.
“It’s going to be a good family show,” said Vannini. “It’s funny. It’s very exciting.”
Audience members can embark on an adventure with Wendy Darling and her brothers to Neverland.
Thomson also portrays Jack in Headliners’ presentation of Into the Woods. The character of Jack also comes with his own set of challenges. Thomson has to adapt his character’s traits to whichever performer is on stage with him.
“He has his head in the clouds. He is kind of a difficult character. There are three jacks in my mind: dumb Jack, smart Jack and the Jack who wants the best for everybody,” said Thomson.
He acts differently when speaking to Little Red Riding Hood than the Mysterious Man.
Peter Pan shows at Vancouver Island University’s Malaspina Theatre Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. Into The Woods shows Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. at Malaspina Theatre. Tickets are $10 per performance or $12 at the door.
To purchase tickets in advance, please call 250-585-1811.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com