Ribix Productions / The Mill Theatre | Review by Ashleigh Butler
Enchanted by a Childlike World of Wonder
28 September 2025
Peter/Wendy is a mature retelling of the Peter Pan story for modern audiences. It follows the familiar story beats as Wendy travels to Neverland, meets fairies, mermaids and fight pirates, but from a new perspective that makes you question everything you thought you knew about these characters. Is Peter Pan just a whimsical boy taking Wendy on a fantastical adventure? Or was there always something darker lingering just below the surface?
The lighting is an immediate and constant standout throughout this production. The actors hold small lights as the stars that Peter Pan (Joshua James) and Wendy (Veronica Baroulina) follow to travel to Neverland. On several occasions, a character appears to trigger a stage light to turn on by blowing, or touching their handheld light to it; this was always timed perfectly and added to the enchanting atmosphere of the whole show.
The set is beautiful. Designer Helen Wojtas has done an incredible job at creating such depth in a small space. There is always something new to look at, especially as happy thoughts suggested by audience members were incorporated into the set design by the characters. This production amazes with its ability to create a world right before your eyes and this is a testament to director Rachel Pengilly and movement director Hannah Pengilly. The inventive use of everyday objects to create magic is a wonder throughout. The set, the lighting, the costumes, and the direction of physical movement work together in perfect harmony and I am always in awe of any show that constructs magical moments in front of your eyes as this one does.
Heidi Silberman plays Mrs Darling and Captain Hook while Mark Lee plays Mr Darling and Smee. They both smoothly transition between each role with ease. Sarah Harltey, Phoebe Fielden and Chipz create the world of Neverland as they move expertly between building each new location through movement and use of everyday objects, and their portrayals of Tiger Lily, Lost Boy and Tinkerbell. Sarah Hartley’s Tiger Lily is excellently defiant and a delight to watch and Phoebe’s Fielden’s portrayal of Lost Boy is just so endearing. Chipz’s Tinkerbell is superb and the comedic timing of their subtle but quippy portrayal adds to every scene.
The relationship between Joshua James’ Peter Pan and his relationship with Veronica Baroulina’s Wendy Darling is what this story highlights in an attempt to separate it from the typical Peter Pan narrative. Peter/Wendy treats the fantasy of the original story with care, showcasing it beautifully through lyrical language and enchanting movement, but it also wants audiences to think critically about its characters and our assumptions. As an audience, we feel like we know Peter, we trust him, we convince ourselves that he has Wendy’s best interests at heart. The descent from loveable boy to dangerous man is so gradual and calculated that it is not until Wendy herself is completely trapped that we see things for what they are. This retelling promises to put Wendy at the forefront of the narrative, her name alongside Peter’s, however, the characterisation of Wendy is this is not dissimilar to every other depiction. I do wish Wendy was written with a greater sense of agency to explore the theme of controlling relationships with more depth.
A strength of Ribix Productions is their commitment to supporting local emerging artists. Along with performing in Peter/Wendy, senior cast members Heidi Silberman, Mark Lee, and Chipz also acted as mentors for the emerging artists in the show. Ribix also introduced a Shadow Program, an immersive, behind the scenes experience for young artists to observe the creation of a professional theatre production. Programs like these are essential for the continual growth of the arts sector and it is a joy to see a local theatre company integrate this philosophy into their work.
Overall, Peter/Wendy is a beautiful production, focused on showcasing the talent of young Canberra creatives and a magical story we all know and love.
Ashleigh Butler loves making theatre, seeing theatre and talking about theatre, so is excited to try her hand at writing reviews of theatre through the Young Critics program. Ashleigh was recently onstage as Mella in Bare Witness Theatre Company’s production of Sauce in Canberra and Melbourne, and Isla in The Forsaken at ACT Hub. Ashleigh thinks Canberra is the coolest place (she’s not even being sarcastic) and wants to draw attention to the amazing work on display in this city.
