Peter Pan production will spread some Christmas magic

Ciaran Kellgren played Peter in that production and he's delighted to be donning the costume again.

He said: "Peter Pan is the original superhero. He's an iconic character and so many stories have been based on him since the play first came out over 100 years ago.

"Having the chance to play Peter Pan at the age of 24 is a dream job. I get the chance to be immature all the time and I can tell people I'm just method acting. It keeps you really young. I can't help jumping about and playing with kids whenever I meet them. It's great.

"And to be bringing it to the most famous venue in the country is fantastic. We've been working hard and it'll be an even better show than before."

The original production ran for 138 performances in the summer, earning rave reviews for marrying CGI special effects with live theatre in the round. For Ciaran it all adds to the magic of the show.

He said: "Nothing like it has been done in the theatre before and now we're taking it to another level. The best moment for me is without doubt the flight to Neverland. It's CGI at its best.

"The audience is taken on a 360 degree flight over London, flying around St Paul's cathedral and all these other landmarks. The kids watching it are just gobsmacked. It's real magic."

Reprising his role as Peter's nemesis, Captain Hook, is film actor Jonathan Hyde and Ciaran is delighted to be renewing the rivalry.

He said: "Jonathan is fantastic. He's a natural Hook so it's perfect casting. But he's also full of ideas and he's really driven the show along. An amazing professional.

"We've been practicing our swordfighting and we've both got cuts galore and I've even had his hook in my hand. One of the things we've added is fighting while flying so it's going to be pretty spectacular."

With the panto season approaching many people will be thinking about taking their children to the theatre, some for their very first visit. For Ciaran, Peter Pan beats the traditional panto.

He said: "This is not a muscial or panto version, it's the original play. It's not just for kids as it's a very dark morality tale. George Bernard Shaw said it was an adult play children can enjoy and I think he's right."

Peter Pan is at the Meridian Gardens at The O2 from December 1. For tickets visit theo2.co.uk.