Fairy dust, pirates, mermaids and one very determined crocodile are heading for Centenary Square as Birmingham Rep transforms its main stage into Neverland this Christmas.
There are some stories that seem almost made for Christmas theatre, and Peter Pan is surely one of them.
This festive season, Birmingham Rep is inviting families to leave the winter streets of the city behind and fly away to Neverland for a new production of J M Barrie’s much-loved adventure, running from Wednesday 18th November until Sunday 17th January 2027.
And while Birmingham has no shortage of spectacular Christmas shows, Peter Pan promises something slightly different: a theatrical family adventure filled with imagination, music and storytelling rather than a traditional pantomime.
Second star to the right…
The adventure begins in the Darling household, where an ordinary bedtime takes an extraordinary turn when Peter Pan arrives and Wendy and her brothers find themselves flying across the moonlit rooftops towards Neverland.
Waiting for them is a world without school, rules or bedtimes.
There are Lost Boys to meet, mermaids to swim with, imaginary feasts to devour and, naturally, the mischievous Tinker Bell.
Unfortunately, Neverland has its less welcoming residents too.
Captain Hook is never far away – and neither is that famously persistent ticking Crocodile.
But The Rep’s version also puts Wendy firmly at the heart of the adventure, as she faces danger and discovers that growing up may require a little courage of its own.
Made in Birmingham
This is a particularly significant production for Birmingham Rep.
Peter Pan has been adapted by Phil Porter, features original music by Ruth Chan and is directed by The Rep’s Artistic Director Joe Murphy, whose recent work at the theatre includes Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
It’s Murphy’s first Christmas production as Artistic Director and forms part of The Rep’s commitment to creating work in Birmingham and providing opportunities for talent from Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.
The cast includes Amber Sylvia Edwards as Wendy, Emmy Stonelake as Tinker Bell and Hannah McPake as Captain Hook/Mrs Darling, alongside Jack Benjamin, Maddie Hansen, Matthew James Hinchliffe, James Ifan, Jordan Laviniere, Jacob Leeson, Lara Lewis and Elijah Millar.
With Hayley Grindle responsible for set and costume design, expect The House – The Rep’s impressive main auditorium – to undergo quite a transformation.
Performance times
Peter Pan runs from 18th November to 17th January 2027, but performance times vary considerably throughout the season.
Evening performances are generally at 7pm, with some at 6.30pm. Saturday performances typically include 2pm and 7pm shows, while selected Sundays offer family-friendly performances at 11am and 3.30pm.
There are also weekday school and matinee performances at 10.15am, 1pm and 2.30pm on selected dates.
Because the timetable changes over Christmas and New Year, we’d strongly recommend checking the performance calendar for your chosen date.
Accessible performances
The Rep has also scheduled a strong selection of accessible shows.
Audio-described performances take place on 12th December and 9th January at 2pm, with free Touch Tours beforehand. BSL-interpreted performances include 3rd December at 10.15am and 2.30pm and 4th December at 6.30pm.
There are numerous captioned performances throughout the run, while a Relaxed Performance takes place at 11am on Sunday 10 January.
The recommended age is 7+.
Tickets
Tickets currently start from £23, although prices depend on the date and performance selected. A £3.50 transaction fee applies to payments, and selected performances have special ticket arrangements.
The Birmingham Edit verdict
Christmas theatre doesn’t always need dames, topical jokes and cries of “He’s behind you!”
Sometimes all you need is a great story.
With pirates, flying children, Lost Boys, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook and one of literature’s most memorable crocodiles, Peter Pan has everything needed for a proper family adventure.
Add Birmingham Rep’s theatrical imagination and a production being created right here in the city, and this looks set to be one of Birmingham’s standout family shows of the festive season.
All that’s required is a little fairy dust – and, of course, the happiest of thoughts.
Peter Pan
Birmingham Rep – The House
6 Centenary Square, Birmingham B1 2EP
18th November – 17th January 2027
Tickets from £23
Visit Birmingham Rep HERE.
