Written by a Scotsman, set in London and the imaginary Neverland, Peter Pan is an enduring British classic that has fascinated audiences, young and old alike for over a hundred years. There is a special magic about the play – the poignancy, difficulty and the delight of growing older, the importance of the family and human vulnerability are themes that we can all relate to. Then there are the characters – Peter himself, the quintessentially English Darling family, Hook and Smee, Tiger Lily and her father, Nana the Dog and . . . Tinkerbell: everyone will have their favourites and identify with one or another.

Kate Wilding - Webb’s summer musical production of Peter Pan in the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (DUCTAC) delighted its audience and did the story full justice. The pace did not let up: the singing was crisp, the acting mature and the choreography, by Helen Ainsworth totally professional. We booed Zaqi Ismail’s Hook – but we felt for him. The Lost Boys, Indian Tribe and Pirates had us on the edge of our seats as they fought, schemed and . . . . danced. The relationship between Beth Scott’s Peter and Rebecca Moore’s Wendy was as good an interpretation as I have ever seen. It’s so easy to overdo the saccharine – they did not make that mistake, evoking our admiration as much as our sympathy.

It’s the mark of a good production of an old favourite that you learn something new from it and there was a lot to learn from this show, which was an absolute triumph, and a wonderful tribute to the cast, backstage crew and all the staff involved. We left the theatre believing in fairies, blinking as we left the convincing world of Peter Pan, and re-entering the Mall of the Emirates.

This is Mrs. Wilding Webb’s last production for a time – as she is leaving us to have a baby. She has established a wonderful theatrical tradition at DBS and achieved something very special. We look forward to working with her again in the future and the whole DBS community passes on its best wishes for a wonderful year to come.

Andy Homden, Principal