APA, Lyric Theatre Friday 2-Monday 5
 

Jessica Rabbit may be fondly remembered for her stunning red gown and uber sex appeal, but Peter Rabbit is the one with the charms that have stood the test of time. Written by lauded children’s fiction author Beatrix Potter, The Tale of Peter Rabbit was originally composed as a collection of letters to a sick child during the Victorian era. The heart-warming tale of human relationships, albeit played out by animals, was later extended and published in the early 1900s and has been loved by families across the globe ever since.

Now, more than a century later, it proves to be just as successful a musical performance on stage as it was as a tale on the page. Coming to the Hong Kong stage for the first time in the coming fortnight, Patricia Pitney, who plays Miss Potter and Peter’s mother Mrs. Rabbit, says of the production: “There are four stories: The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies and The Tale of Mr. Tod. Each of those stories is covered in our performance. The first half is the first two books, and the second half is the other two books. They’re woven together to make a whole story.”

This precious tale about the world’s most beloved bunny will be brought to life as a musical by a dynamic cast from Australia. Audiences will be able to relive this delightful children’s narrative as Peter Rabbit, farmer Mr. McGregory, Benjamin Bunny, Old Mr. Bunny, Old Mrs. Rabbit, Mr. Tod the Fox, Tommy Brock the Badger and Miss Beatrix Potter go on a wonderful adventure in the world of Peter Rabbit.

The old world charm and simplicity of the tale combine to make The Adventures of Peter Rabbit relatable to audiences of every hue and persuasion, even a hundred years after its initial composition. Explains Pitney: “Garry Ginivan is our very talented writer who loves children’s theatre. It’s his passion, so he just expanded the stories and crafted a beautiful piece of theatre … without compromising the spirit of the original stories.”

While the anthropomorphic element of these stories, which are beautifully realised with the help of outstanding make-up and wardrobe, play a central role in firing the imagination of the viewers and ushering them into this fantasy world, it is the joyous script and lovable characters that promise to awaken the child within young and old alike. “Beatrix Potter has given life to these real creatures,” says Pitney. “It’s a charming and simple story about a naughty child, which leaves room for a child’s imagination to go on a journey and fill in the blanks.”

Heidi Yeung

Tickets: 3128 8288; www.hkticketing.com.