Peter Pan in the Threesixty Theatre - We escaped to Neverland!

Photo credit: Threesixty Entertainment

Disclaimer: I was given tickets in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own. Photos are mine, unless otherwise noted.

My three girls and I went to see PETER PAN in the Threesixty Theatre Saturday afternoon and loved every minute of it. We didn't really know what to expect. A theatre, in a tent? A 360 degree theatre? And CGI (computer-generated imagery) mixed in? How were the flying sequences going to be accomplished? How could it all work together?

I showed the girls this video before we left for the show so they had some idea of where we were going.

The Threesixty Tent

Facts about the show:

The Washington Post declares, “PETER PAN flies high!” Featuring 22 actors, stunning puppets, epic music, dazzling flying sequences, and the world’s first 360 degree CGI (computer-generated imagery) theatre set, this unique production of PETER PAN is presented in the striking setting of the Threesixty Theatre at Tysons Corner Center (8200 Watson Street, McLean, VA). The show is performed in the round in a 1,500-seat theatre-tent. The entire interior is lit with more than 15,000 square feet of Hi Resolution video, so that both cast and audience are immersed in a virtual Neverland.

This remarkable and beautiful production premiered in London’s Kensington Gardens, the original home of Peter Pan. Seen by more than 750,000 theatregoers worldwide to date, Peter Pan - The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up was created by Scottish novelist and playwright J.M. Barrie. One night, Peter flies into the London nursery of the Darling children, Wendy, John and Michael, teaches them to fly and leads them to the magical Neverland, “second to the right and straight on till morning,” where they live with Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys and meet the notorious Captain Hook. The tale of PETER PAN has been adapted many times, including a Walt Disney animated film, a Broadway musical, and an Emmy Award-winning TV special. However, it was not until this production, presented by Threesixty entertainment, that PETER PAN was performed in London’s Kensington Gardens, where Barrie was first inspired to create the character and where the original statue of Peter Pan has stood since 1912.

Making its triumphant return to the United States, PETER PAN features all new direction by award-winning director Thom Southerland, with staging and choreography by Gypsy Snider, co-founder of the internationally acclaimed Les 7 Doigts de la Main. Set, costume, puppetry, and 3D projection design is by seven-time Olivier Award winner, William Dudley. Additional music is by Howard Herrick and Chieli Minucci. The remainder of the creative team includes Don Holder (lighting design), Guillaume Lord (additional scenic design), Manon Desmarais (additional costume design), Jonathan Lipman (additional costume design), Sue Buckmaster (puppetry direction), Paul Kieve (illusions), Scott Cady (music director), and Freedom Flying (flying consultant).

About PETER PAN in the Threesixty Theatre:

·      The world’s first fully 360-degree projected backdrop for live theatrical performance

·      The largest surround CGI (computer-generated imagery) venue in the world

·      12 projectors, delivering 360-degree projection

·      10 million pixels

·      15,000 square feet of CGI

·      400 square miles of virtual London were rendered

·      100 computers took four weeks to create the images (it would have taken 8 years for a single computer to render)

The final D.C. performances (at the time of this post) are as follows:

Tuesday, August 11 - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 12 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 13 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, August 14 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 15 - 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 16 - 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 19 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 20 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, August 21 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 22 - 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 23 - 1:30 p.m.

For more information about PETER PAN in the Threesixty Theatre, please visit peterpan360.com.

Tinkerbell was a favourite! (Photo credit: Threesixty Entertainment)

Our thoughts:

Let me tell you, it was brilliant! The theatre was unique and amazing. Our seats were about midway up, which was perfect for us. We could see everything from where we sat and didn't have to crane our necks to look up, like I imagine those on the front row or two must have had to do. The music was enchanting. The actors had a fantastic energy and kept up a quick pace. The CGI was phenomenal and wowed us all. We actually felt like we were flying during the in-air sequences! I also loved how there was audience participation in a couple of scenes, although, I won't spoil it for you by saying why or how we were able to participate. 

Warning for younger children:

I asked my girls, who are 8, 10 and 18, if they would've been scared during parts of the show had they seen it when they were younger. They all three said, yes, they would've been frightened. There was some shouting. Mr. Darling gets carried away and breaks Michael's kite. The pirates, of course, are a little creepy. The crocodile was ominous and loud. And there are two scenes that involve Captain Hook killing someone. I think most children 6 and up, especially those who are familiar with the story of Peter Pan, would be fine. Children who are especially sensitive should probably wait until they are a little older.

We highly recommend the show! 

My girls loved it and kept thanking me for bringing them and telling me how much fun it was. It was so enjoyable to look over and see their delighted expressions, that is, when I could pull my eyes away from the action long enough to watch them. I enjoyed it just as much as they did. 

If you stay after the show, you may get to meet two of the cast members. We met Wendy and one of the Lost Boys!

After leaving D. C., Peter Pan is heading on to the great state of Texas, so get ready Houston friends. Your shows start September 8. And Dallas, you'll be after Houston, with shows starting November 11. Put it on your calendar now! 

Blessings and love. xo