I have never found myself getting teary-eyed over a light bulb before. But such is the emotive power of JM Barrie's play, and such is the sleight-of-hand deftness of Dominic Hill's production, that when Tinker Bell, represented by a tiny red light, swallows poison intended for Peter Pan, it feels like a heart-rending act of selflessness.
Still, that's nothing compared to the final scene, which was written by Barrie after he had completed the play and is appended here by the adapter, Stuart Paterson. Here the adult Wendy introduces her own young daughter to the boy who never grew up, and while every child in the audience yelps with delight at the prospect of more adventures to come, every adult dissolves in acknowledgement of the cruel passage of time.
But Barrie's play goes further than this. His vision of the Lost Boys opens up troubling Oedipal questions. Their need for a mother is complicated by Wendy's burgeoning sexuality, Peter's boyish denial of responsibility and Hook's father-likeinability to express love. The story is at once innocent and unsettling.
Hill's richly textured production is sensitive to these themes, presenting the play as a serious piece of drama and resisting any impulse towards caricature. Sometimes this makes the performances overly restrained - in particular, Richard Clews's Mr Darling/ Captain Hook is stranded between naturalism and music hall. However, the show's refusal to patronise its audience commands full attention in return.
With a sprite-like Kevin Lennon in the lead, a sensible but not too twee Emily Pollet as Wendy and a superb set by Bunny Christie, the production makes light work of Barrie's staging requirements. It's gripping, slick and well-paced, and you really will believe a boy can fly.
· Until January 3. Details: 01382 223530.
