In ‘Peter Pan,’ Edna Vida taps into her inner–humorous–child

MARGE C. ENRIQUEZ

Nov 29, 2015

NEXT to the standard “Nutcracker,” Ballet Philippines’ (BP) “Peter Pan” has become a favorite holiday repertoire. Unlike the bravura and candy confection of the “Nutcracker” set to classical music, there’s a lot of physical comedy in the stage version as choreographed by Edna Vida and using the tunes of the Broadway adaptation.

But Vida really drew inspiration from the 1953 Walt Disney animated movie. “I even told my dancers to watch it,” she said. Based on J.M. Barrie’s story, the ballet follows the sequence of the Disney adaptation.

The three Darling children are transported from their London home to Neverland, the habitat of Peter Pan and his boisterous gaggle of Lost Boys. The children encounter mermaids and Native Americans. Peter Pan faces off with longtime enemy Captain Hook, and the kids overcome Hook’s pirates.

As in the Disney cartoon, Tick Tock, the crocodile that has swallowed a clock that serves as warning to its prey, plays a pivotal role. Tap-dancing Jimmy Mateo handles the role.

In the end, the ballet is about life as adventure.

“I found the cartoon adorable that I even followed the sequence,” said Vida. “I’m still a child at heart. It seemed natural for me to create a ballet about a boy who didn’t want to grow up.”

Vida uses the score and the songs from the original Broadway musical written by Mark Charlap and Jule Styne, with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green.

The choreography is lay-friendly as Vida interprets the lyrics with clarity. The diversity of dance styles makes the show more visually engaging.

The Mermaids’ dance is lyrical and balletic. (“It’s the only section on full pointe,” said Vida.) Pirates explode in jumps while the Indians dance with earthy and sharp movements. More than dance technique, “Peter Pan” requires dramatic flamboyance and timing in comedy.

Vida attributes her light, comedic touch to her nature. “I’m familiar with the idea of staying young forever,” she said. “As the youngest of six, I’ve always been the baby of the family. I like being childlike.”