Rabbit on

Your favourite nursery tale is being performed live on stage. That’s right Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit starts today so maybe it’s time to hop on down to DUCTAC and check it out

By David Light

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Published: Mon 23 Nov 2009, 7:58 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 12:08 AM

YOU’VE READ THE books, you’ve seen the film complete with Renee Zellweger’s dodgy English accent but now see all the loveable characters from The Tale of Peter Rabbit come to life on stage right here in Dubai. Starting today Join Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny on their famous adventure through the forest to Mr McGregor’s garden, the one place Peter was told not to go, to fetch a nice juicy lettuce. They’ll be meeting some friendly and familiar faces on the way, including Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Tom Kitten and maybe someone not quite so friendly - Mr McGregor himself, a giant of a man who has designs on a nice rabbit pie.

This production is sure to delight fans of Peter Rabbit both young and old by maintaining faithful to the original stories. However, with brand new songs, beautifully designed scenery and costumes this show is destined to bring the famous books to life in a new and exciting way.

The company’s very own Beatrix Potter, Barbara D’Alterio, who comes to Dubai for the first time will narrate the story to give the show that top-class feel that UAE audiences crave.

Barbara first trained at the Academy and then went on to Arts Ed, where she was nominated for the Carlton Hobbs and Lawrence Olivier Bursary Awards, graduating in 2003. Her theatre credits include Celia in As You like It, Viv in Babies, Marylou in Serious Money and Kelly in Last Night a DJ Saved My Life. She also played Ursula in People in Glass Houses at the Brockley Jack Theatre.

Barbara appeared as Italian Silvia in several episodes of Hollyoaks for Channel 4 and her feature film credits include, The Occupier, comedy Anxious Dave, The Wedding Ensemble, and most recently The Grind. She has appeared in numerous shorts and has been cast as Dr Elena Walker in American Rebellion due to shoot in January 2010.

We spoke to Barbara just before she set off on her trip to the UAE.

How does it feel to be coming down to Dubai to perform in the show?

When we found out that we would be coming out to Dubai myself and the whole cast were extremely excited. I have always wanted to visit but had not had the opportunity until now. I know you have very discerning audiences in Dubai and that all the big shows come out to you so it is an honour to be performing in your city. We are also very happy about escaping the British climate for a few days!

What aspect of playing the character Beatrix Potter do you most enjoy?

She was a very intelligent strong woman and even in her latter years was always young at heart. She escaped the constraints of social etiquette and what was generally expected of a woman by immersing herself into the magical world she created with all of her animal friends. So I guess it’s the escapism and the joy she felt from creating the characters we see on stage that I enjoy the most.

Were you a fan of the books before getting the part?

Very much so. My mother bought me the complete collection of Beatrix Potter’s tales as a child and I was lucky enough to have her read them to me at night before bed. They are a little worn after so many years but I now read them to my young daughter so the stories have a very special place in my heart.

What can the audience expect from the performance?

A really interactive experience as the well- known characters from the books come to life. The narrative is constructed not only from the tale of Peter Rabbit but also from Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle Duck, Tom Kitten and my favourite Mrs Tiggy-Winkle. It is highly visual with original songs and because it is such a classic story it has a really nostalgic feel to it.

What kind of audience do you think the play is suited for?

It really is fun for all the family. Young children really enjoy it because of the incredible costumes, older children because of the story and the cheeky characters and parents and adults because the heartwarming tales brings them back to their childhood.

The cast and myself are very excited about meeting the Dubai audiences and we hope they enjoy the show!

Event details

Tickets: Dhs95 to Dhs180.

Time: Monday, November 23: 8:45am – 11:15am

Tuesday, November 24: 8:45am – 11:15am and 4pm

Wednesday, November 25: 8:45am – 11:15am and 4pm

Shows in the morning are for schools and public shows are in the afternoon.

Tickets are available at the DUCTAC box office (Tel: 04-3414777).

For all information related to the school shows, call Tel: 050-8805074.

david@khaleejtimes.com