Following Wendy takes J. M. Barrys bedtime story of Peter Pan and mixes it with a story of delusion and guilt that becomes all too real. While going to a house party that Wendy is throwing, Sebastian comes into her bedroom to see her jump out of a window holding the hand of a boy with no shadow. Wendy finds herself in the confusing and disturbingly new world of Netherland, while Sebastian finds himself being interrogated by seemingly unjust and mistaken police. Over time Netherland becomes more unnerving for Wendy, but she also begins to become part of the world. Her mind begins to numb and accepts the repetitive games that are played by Peter Pan and Tinkerbelle. Sebastian is locked in the search to find out what really happened to the missing girl he loved while being caught between accusations and self doubt. While the script remains opaque for the majority of the play, eventually the facts of the story become stronger. It all leads to a haunting finish that makes this show a masterpiece of pacing. What appeared to be vague and unimportant earlier on in the script becomes part of a complex story. It looks at some dark events and delusions from the mind of one girl who is losing her senses and the mind of a boy who creates intense mental acrobatics in order to protect himself. The script requires confused and innocent characters and this is precisely what the actors produce. The central performances are reinforced by several other figures who introduce a vibrant physical theatre that lifts and throws the characters about the room in their state of mental turmoil. Many shows take the approach of mixing up fantasy and reality, but this stands out as a wonderful accomplishment. With a haunting conclusion that wraps up an enticing script, this show will make you think and leave you feeling very fulfilled.
