Peter Rabbit bounces back by popular demand!
The hit family play Peter Rabbit and Me is back by popular demand at National Children’s Theatre (NCT), bringing entertainment for all to NCT’s Parktown theatre campus.
The show is again directed by Ivor Jones for NCT, straight into the hearts of the city’s young theatre-loving families and schools, with its unique blend of fun, entertainment, and charming human life lessons.
Peter Rabbit and Me tells Beatrix Potter’s story, recounting how one of the greatest children’s stories of all time – the tales of Peter Rabbit – came to be written.
This play is set in the late 1800s, during Beatrix’s childhood. Young Beatrix is left stuck at home in the care of her governess, as girls were in those days, while her brother is sent off to boarding school as boys were in those days. Fortunately, she is a resourceful child, and makes the most of her situation by escaping into another world and her power creates the much-loved characters who will enrich so many people’s lives. The first is everybody’s favourite, Peter Rabbit, who lives in a burrow with his mother and father and siblings Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail.
Beatrix doesn’t see Peter as an ordinary rabbit! Oh, no! She creates thrilling adventures for Peter who is not like his obedient siblings, but is always getting into trouble and always needs to be rescued. Luckily Beatrix is always on hand to work out how to get Peter back to safety. Fortunately, Beatrix didn’t stop at Peter Rabbit. She went on to create many other favourite characters and stories, including Jemima Puddleduck who desperately wants to hatch her eggs herself.
The result is a happy production filled with creativity, adventure and good-hearted mischief!
For director Ivor Jones, this is part of what makes the play so special. “What I find fascinating about Peter Rabbit and Me is how the audience loves to get involved,” he says. “Our characters consult kids in the audience throughout the play, and it becomes a happy interactive romp of a show.”
NCT CEO Tamara Guhrs says the play is a great way for parents to help their kids learn to value their own creativity. “The play’s message to young audiences is that imagination and creativity help us make the most of our circumstances,” says Guhrs. “This is a fun lesson to learn, but it’s also a powerful life skill, as creativity and innovation are key to our success in life and to building a better society.”
NCTT Board chair Moira Katz says “What makes us really love Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit and Me is how talented she was: She created the characters, was a talented artist and drew the characters, and eventually has all her stories published in her own time.”
The production is being staged indoors at NCT for the first time, which gives the show an entirely fresh dynamic. It is directed by Ivor Jones, set and costumes are by Sarah Roberts, and musical director is Christine Ludwig.
Peter Rabbit and Me stars Jayson Tsebe as Peter Rabbit and Nicole Brown as Beatrix Potter, with the rest of the cast taking on multiple roles: Malibongwe Mdwaba, Kirsten Dickinsonas and Rebaone Molatlhegi.
The show is perfect for audiences aged 4 and up. It runs from 05 July to 04 August 2024, at National Children’s Theatre, 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown (with secure safe parking inside NCT’s grounds). Tickets are R120 per person. Book through Quicket. For more information, email hello@nctheatresa.org.za or call 011 484 1584 or 0761152304.
