Puppets, Pacing, and Pandemonium: Dead Puppet Society’s Peter and the Starcatcher.

Peter and the Starcatcher is the multi-award winning prequel to Disney’s ‘Peter Pan’. It boasts as a vibrant and visually captivating adaption with 15 cast members, 100 characters, 90 puppets, and 60 costumes onstage - a tall (and expensive) order.

The opening act set the stage with a frantic pace that left me struggling to catch up. Put simply, it was a lot to take in - the complexities of world-building combined with the overload of visuals and rapid-fire exposition made it tough to stay grounded. But to the show’s credit the ensemble kept up with the madness, managing impressive costume changes and set transitions with an astonishing and unwavering energy.

Once the initial shock was over and the story began to settle into something more enjoyable, the shows strengths were able to shine through more clearly- none of which was stronger than the skill of the cast. Parker, Whyte, and Lane deliver standout performances with flawless precision. Whether through quick-fire exchanges, physical comedy, or brilliantly exaggerated characters, their performances remain grounded and captivating while keeping the audiences laughing throughout - an impressive feat.

The second standout was of course the craftsmanship of the puppets, accompanied by a spectacular lighting design, a variety of creatures big and small dazzled the stage in technicolour lights, making for an impressive stage picture.

However, as much as props and performances shined, the production was still overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material crammed into the show’s runtime. Believe it or not, 100 characters, 90 puppets (I didn’t count, but are you sure, seemed like way less?) and 60 costume changes were definitely too many.

And it didn’t leave me thinking about the magic of theatre.

Not to mention the musical numbers—while well performed—felt superfluous in a production already filled to the brim with action.

I’m reminded of a saying I heard years ago: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” That would be sound advice here. With such a talented cast and a skilled creative team, this production doesn’t need to rely on excess. Strip back the distractions, skip the gimmicks, and trust the strength of the storytelling and the artistry of the puppetry—we won’t miss a few costume changes.

In the end, Peter and the Starcatcher is an ambitious, entertaining, and visually stunning production—but one that dulls its magic in its chaotic pursuit of spectacle. Though the quality of the performances make it an enjoyable ride nonetheless—if you can keep up with the whirlwind.

I am excited to see what they do next.