AN OUTDOOR stage production of a children's classic which wowed audiences on Portland is going on tour.

SISATA's version of Peter Pan features a large crocodile puppet based on the fossilised skull of a pliosaur found at Kimmeridge and which was the subject of a David Attenborough documentary.

The Dorset-based company performed its four-hander children’s play at Church Ope Cove, Portland on June 29 and 30 - bringing a local twist to the original story of the boy who never grew up.

READ MORE: Dorset fossil subject of David Attenborough documentary

The play is now set to tour the UK in August and September including local dates in Dorchester, Weymouth, Abbotsbury, Bridport, Wimborne, Christchurch, Fordingbridge, and back to Portland.

A crocodile puppet, based on the fossilised skull of the pliosaur found in Kimmeridge, featured in the Peter Pan production A crocodile puppet, based on the fossilised skull of the pliosaur found in Kimmeridge, featured in the Peter Pan production (Image: Kelly King)

Writer and director Charmaine K shared her excitement for the upcoming tour.

She said: “Embedded with history, current affairs, original music and boatloads of fun, this show has something for everyone and we can’t wait to get on the road and share it with the rest of the county and the rest of the UK.”

The show is also travelling further afield to London, Leeds, and even Scotland before its final stand at Poole’s Lighthouse on September 18 and 19. 

The production has been in the works since February and has been funded by Weymouth Town Council as part of its community grants scheme. 

READ MORE: Weymouth Town Council offers grant to SISATA's Peter Pan

The next performance will be at Maumbury Rings in Dorchester at 6pm on Thursday, August 1.

There will then be performances on August 2 and 8 at Sandsfoot Gardens in Weymouth which will involve audience participation. 

Peter Pan was performed at Church Ope Cove on PortlandPeter Pan was performed at Church Ope Cove on Portland (Image: Kelly King)

Costumes were created by alumni from Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) and Charmaine K, has shared how the company aimed to get both art students and the Portland community involved as much as possible with its first production. 

She said: “I’ve been working with AUB’s acting and costume students since 2011, and a visiting lecturer at AUB since 2018. In 2012, I worked with AUB students on SISATA’s first four-hander and now a lot of our community players are alumni, and some go on to work with me professionally.

Audience participation in the outdoor production of Peter Pan on Church Ope Cove on PortlandAudience participation in the outdoor production of Peter Pan on Church Ope Cove on Portland (Image: Kelly King)

“We work really hard to involve the rest of the community; for Peter Pan on Portland, we worked with the Portland Players and Offshoot Collective - an acting group formed from my ex AUB students - who were just amazing, they made it a truly interactive and immersive experience for the audience.”

A full list of tour dates can be found on the company website: https://sisata.co.uk/