Theatre: Patricia Panther’s flying high as Tinkerbell in Pitlochry’s Peter Pan and Wendy

Patricia Panther likes to keep her inner child alive, so having the chance to fly on stage is a dream come true for the young-at-heart actor and composer.

She plays the iconic role of Tinkerbell in Peter Pan And Wendy, a new adaptation of JM Barrie’s classic tale for Pitlochry’s Christmas show. To bring a sprinkling of extra magic to the production, several of the cast will be airborne as they bring Neverland to life.

“I’ve never been on a wire before, so this is all new to me. We went down to Aerial Edge (a circus school in Glasgow) and tried out different harnesses, which was a lot of fun,” Panther explained. “It’s hard work. Being on the harness and jumping into the air means someone has to counterweight you, so I’m working and they’re working.

“After jumping up and down and flying a few times, I was exhausted. But it’s so much fun. There’s going to be at least five of us flying and I’ve not seen that many people flying on stage before, so it will be exciting for everyone.”

Janys Chambers’ adaptation of the much-loved story boasts a stellar cast, including Taggart’s Colin McCredie and River City’s Deirdre Davis.

“Tinkerbell is fun and mischievous in this adaptation, and at times downright naughty,” Panther continued. “But she always manages to worm her way back into everyone’s good graces, and the characters are very accepting of her.

“The story of the boy who never grew up has always been a part of me. The idea of having that inner child and keeping that playfulness in life is something I never want to lose and I always keep it in my head. I have a little picture of myself in my living room from when I was four years old, and I look at it often and remember how much fun it was to be that age, with toys and playing and making people laugh and being happy. I’ve always wanted to keep that going.”

That’s one of the reasons she was drawn to the industry, although she never had any intention of being an actor. Instead, she became a musician, and it was while she was working on a composing commission that the offer of a stage role came her way.

“I always loved performing and singing, but I never trained formally,” she said. “I wanted to go to dance classes when I was younger but we didn’t have the money. I never considered it a career I could do; I thought it was for other people. Even when I was at secondary school, I never partook in talent competitions. I later studied digital art and animation at university, then I did a Masters in music business and a post grad in shiatsu massage.

“I loved singing and used to gig a lot, then director Cora Bissett heard my material and asked me to try making music for a stage show she was working on called Glasgow Girls. Walking into the rehearsals, coming from a corporate background like I did, I couldn’t believe the vibrancy and fun and happiness and joy from making stuff and experimenting.

“Cora liked the music, so commissioned me to be a composer, and then she asked me to be in the play. She took a chance, despite me not having any experience.”

Now, Panther enjoys wearing many hats, from composing and sound design to writing and acting.

“I don’t think I could do just one thing now, because I like the variety. I came off tour earlier in the year and then had to write a play. I thought, how do you write a play? The director and actor I worked with were amazing.”

The result was The Body Electrician, performed as part of A Play, A Pie And A Pint’s summer season.

“It’s been a busy time,” she said. “I’m working on music with Perth Theatre’s youth group early next year and then I have another play to write. There’s so much to learn in the industry. I’m still learning and I’ll always be learning.”

Peter Pan And Wendy, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Friday until December 23