Classic tales retold with gusto

The Tales of Beatrix Potter have delighted audiences for generations since their publication over 100 years ago.

This year these well-known story-book characters are brought to life by dancers and performers of the Geraldine Inder School of Dance and Drama at the Masterton Town Hall.

The presentation of these classic tales forms a new production for the school that has entertained Wairarapa audiences with an annual pantomime for over 60 years.

Those familiar with the children's books will enjoy snippets of the stories performed by a polished cast.

Actors demonstrate quality performance skills - no mean feat when considered alongside the energy required to participate in the series of dance numbers that interpret The Tales.

The acting cast deliver our favourite characters with style - Miss Potter introduces a suitably cheeky Peter Rabbit and his furry friends: a Benjamin Bunny full of bravado, an indolent Jeremy Fisher, bustling Tiggy-Winkle and awkward Jemima Puddleduck.

In the tradition of pantomime the tale is told by interpretation.

The Inder Tales of Beatrix Potter is no exception and blends classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap and hip hop dance.

The story of Peter Rabbit's disobedience brings us ballet from delightful, tiny dancers, Lettuces and Radishes and of course Rabbits, the little ones, as always, steal the show.

More seasoned dancers bring us top-quality performances: sparkling tap with a high-energy Whatever Shall I Tell Her, a powerful contemporary Creatures of the Deep, a Fearless hip hop, snappy latin jazz Count on You, and stunning classical ballet in Masquerade.

Charlotte Mawson and Angus Syben close the show with a ballet duet as Jemima and the Fox that would not have been out of place on a larger stage.

Solid performances from the more than 200 girls and boys that dance with the Inder School are testament to the many hours of practice through the year.

There are certainly some rising stars across the grades and disciplines. Testament to the popularity of the annual pantomime the dancers performed to a full-house on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

The dance school community has put in countless hours of preparation, not only in building the dance and drama performances but also in the preparation of an exceptionally high standard of costume and props. Saturday, opening night, saw a couple of technical glitches test the mettle of dancers - proof of their professionalism.

The Tales of Beatrix Potter closes tomorrow.