Tutti Frutti and York Theatre Royal to Stage Mike Kenny's New Play UNDERNEATH A MAGICAL MOON

Fresh from the critical acclaim of their latest production WiLd!, this autumn the highly praised Leeds company tutti frutti are set to team up with York Theatre Royal to stage the premiere of Underneath a Magical Moon, a new re-imagining by leading children's playwright Mike Kenny (Olivier award winning The Railway Children) of J.M.Barrie's much loved Peter Pan as told by Wendy Darling.

The play will open at York Theatre Royal from the 6-22 October and then tour until 31 December 2016.

Through her Open Window Wendy Darling gazes out at the night sky dreaming of blue lagoons, magical moons and the stories that she can tell. But tonight, like no other, has magic in the air ......

Wendy Darling is the owner of stories, mother to the Lost Boys, a believer in fairies and a young girl with her feet firmly on the ground.

With direction by tutti frutti's artistic director Wendy Harris, movement from Holly Irving, music by Ivan Stott (Look Back in Anger, Derby Theatre) and design by Kate Bunce (WiLd!, tutti frutti), Underneath a Magical Moon is set to transport audiences into a fantastical world of adventure, where time stands still, the impossible seems possible and if you close your eyes and believe, then you really can make anything happen.

The production's cast will feature Grace Lancaster, Jack Brett and Chris Draper.

Playwright Mike Kenny is one of England's leading writers, specialising in young people's theatre. He is the recipient of numerous awards and in 2011 was included in the Independent on Sunday's list of Top Ten Living UK Playwrights. His plays are performed regularly throughout the UK and all over the world. His recent works include the Olivier award winning The Railway Children and York Mystery Plays 2012. Previous collaborations with tutti frutti have included adaptations of The Princess and the Pea, Rapunzel and The Boy Who Cried Wolf.

Mike Kenny said about the new production

"Peter Pan was one of the first real children's classics. Maybe the first children's classic play. I still struggle to think of anything that can top it. Everyone understands the feeling of not wanting to grow up. I loved it as a child, and my children loved it too. It's such a great piece, with such a broad sweep that it can stand various interpretations, and so I've delved into just one part of it.

It was first performed in 1904. The generation of boys that first saw it as children would be the generation of young men that fought and died in the First World War. When you hear Peter say, 'To die would be an awfully big adventure' it carries a real frisson. Wendy, however, has a different arc. She is recruited by Peter to be the mother to the Lost Boys, and she takes to it with gusto. I just wondered, if now, over a hundred years later, if that would be quite so straight forward for her.

Our version is the story you would recognise, but our Wendy is thinking about what she wants to be when she grows up. She's not quite so willing to stay at home telling stories to the children, while Peter goes off and has all the adventures. She wants to have some adventures of her own."

The production will tour the UK from the 6 October - 7 December 2016 and will be will be in residence from 8-31 December at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale.

Underneath a Magical Moon is a sparkling new production with exquisite music, enthralling movement and a sprinkle of tutti frutti magic for children aged 3+ and their families to enjoy.

All performances in October are supported by Get Creative Family Arts Festival

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