Last night a musical which featured a timeless character that flies across the stage opened without a hitch.
In contrast to the unfolding car crash that has been the $75 million U2-inspired musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark on Broadway, the world premiere of the musical Peter Pan had a flawless opening at the Grand Canal Theatre.
The musical features actor and reality television star Daniel Boys in the lead role. Its set-piece is a scene where Peter Pan flies over the audience into the balcony.
Its €2.2 million cost makes it one of the most expensive productions in the history of Irish theatre.
Last night’s opening was attended by Minster for Children Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for State Róisín Shortall and various Irish celebrities including Nicky Byrne from Westlife and singer Mary Byrne.
It is the first time that an Irish theatre has hosted the premiere of a West End musical. It is planned to transfer Peter Pan to Southampton for a five week pre-Christmas run and then to the West End.
The impetus for bringing it to Dublin came from producer Michael Rose who brought Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to the Grand Canal Theatre and realised it was an ideal venue for trialling a West End musical.
Along with a flying system which cost €100,000, the musical has multiple scene changes which mimic flying through the clouds, being on a pirate ship or marooned on a desert island.
The cast of 39 includes former television presenter Les Dennis and Maureen Nolan of the Nolan Sisters. It also features young Irish actors who were recruited in Dublin.
