This gloriously delightful play, Adventures in Neverland from the Melbourne Shakespeare Company was the perfect family production. Set in the picturesque St. Kilda Botanical Gardens, the open-air theatre set-up allowed for a relaxed environment, as props were strategically placed so that audience members could view each scene and actors could interact fluidly.

The production was flawless and absolutely laugh out loud hilarious! From talking bushes to wand stealing pirates (note the villain is not Captain Hook, but Captain Hand), a sensitive sign post and a hard of hearing turtle, the jokes and puns were incredibly funny! You’ll soon be believing you’re not in Melbourne anymore (save for the soy milk flat white coffee order from St. Ali, which sounded spookily familiar) as the colourful cast of fairytale characters transported adults and kids alike to Neverland.

The cast of this special limited season of Adventures in Neverland were brilliant, with spot-on comedic timing, impeccable interaction with the crowd and marvellous pantomime-drawing skills of slapstick, hijinx, dancing, gags and singing. With Cassidy Dunn (Alice in Wonderland) reprising her role as Emma, Tref Gare (Romeo and Juliet) as Professor Seastone, Joanna Haliday (Bluey’s Big Play) as Smee, Shanu Sobti (Outback Adventures) as Tink and Jackson Cross (Much Ado About Nothing) as Captain Hand. Special mentions to Composer & Musical Director, Maxwell Simon, alongside Jennifer Sarah Dean as the Artistic Director & Writer, and Carl Whiteside as the Director.

To make the magic of live theatre accessible to all, Melbourne Shakespeare Company offered an incredible pay-what-you-can ticket incentive for this production, allowing families to attend for free or to make a donation in exchange for their morning’s entertainment. This initiative aims to remove financial barriers, ensuring more families can experience the joy of high-quality theatre. And it was clear that Adventures in Neverland did not disappoint. It was the kind of play that you want to come back to again and again, so wholesome and funny in its delivery that people of all ages will fall head over heels in love with it. Congratulations to the whole cast and crew – I look forward to what adventures the next season holds.