I have seen regular productions of Peter Pan that treat the death of Tinker Bell more casually than it is handled here by writer, director and star Johnny McKnight. Yes, the fairy’s final moments are over-the-top – not a twitch of a limb unmilked – but it is with some sense of jeopardy that the audience is called upon to bring her back to life. We are delighted to succeed.
What I have not seen is a version of JM Barrie’s fantasy that upturns the story quite so cavalierly as this one. Far from the ethereal wisp of light that so enchants Wendy, this fairy is played by McKnight himself as a galumphing dame that is waspish, flirtatious and bold.
