Variations on a Peter Pan theme
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Welcome to the diverse world of 'Peter Pan'
I became a devoted slave to Peter Pan long before I had the unprecedented luck of actually working with Louis Marks on a biographical adaptation for television of the lives of primarily, J M Barrie, and his involvement with the 5 Llewellyn Davis Boys. I remain a devotee and fan of the original work and even have a (5th) First Edition of the book. I watch all the new versions and read biographies and even sequels which have appeared since I worked on 'The Lost Boys' and have opinions on them all which, will become apparent as this page evolves!
The Original
Michael as Peter Pan in 1907
Fifteen Ladies who played Peter Pan : From Nina Boucicault to Allison Williams
l to r Nina Boucicault (1904), Mary Martin (1960) and Allison Williams (2014)
Fabulous website dedicated to 15 leading ladies who portrayed 'Peter Pan' who is (nearly) always played/portrayed by ladies (PC brigade note, the use of the word ladies on my website and this page is deliberate) - if you don't recognise the names then please have a look! The intro (abridged) reads :
"Peter Pan holds a special spot in so many queer girls' hearts. For example, I'm pretty sure that Mary Martin playing Peter Pan in the televised 1960 version of Peter Pan is my root? Also, at least 25% of y'all have been Peter Pan for Halloween, don't lie. Peter Pan's eternal youth and rascally, androgyne qualities are recalled in many modern conceptions of the term "boi," as it is employed to describe a particular style and attitude of boyish masculinity as embodied by female-bodied queers. Peter Pan has a special place in queer theory and queer cultural critique. But perhaps most importantly, many of us are drawn to Peter Pan because she's played by a woman who can pass as a little boy, like so many lesbians in real life! Why has Peter Pan always been played by a woman? Well, back in 1904 when the show debuted, kids under the age of 14 were prohibited by law from performing on a British stage after 9pm. This wouldn't necessarily be a huge problem for casting Peter — but if Peter was played by a teenage boy, then the rest of the cast would need to be "scaled down," meaning that characters like The Lost Boys would need to be played by even younger boys, and Wendy by a girl rather than a woman, and inevitably we'd be dealing with kids under the age of 14. Casting a grown man in the part seemed a tad creepy, but also would've been a strain on the already-challenging affair of making Peter Pan fly using rope and stage wizardry. Thus playwright James M. Barrie requested that they cast a woman. This wasn't an unusual practice in those times.
Things have changed over the years, of course, and now Peter Pan is often played by a male actor, as in the 2003 live-action version. The 1982 Royal Shakespeare Production was the first of many theatrical performances that went with a male lead, to very mixed reviews. When NBC announced they'd be putting on a live-action performance of Peter Pan this December, rumors began swirling that a boy would be cast. Pretty much everybody was surprised when Allison Williams of Girls was announced as the new Peter Pan. NBC Chairman Robert Greenblatt enthused that Williams would "bring the perfect blend of 'boyish' vulnerability and bravado," while producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron promised that "she will reinvent the iconic role of Peter Pan with her wit, her warmth, her dynamic flying and her wonderful musical abilities." Then the first photos of Williams as Peter Pan were released yesterday.
I wanted to highlight this site before embarking on individual interpretations of the never-ending story of Neverland below.
The Not-so-Originals :
2021 - Jude Law to star as 'Hook' in a new film version of Peter Pan
Peter Pan and Wendy FIRST LOOK: Jude Law transforms into the villainous Captain Hook as he resumes filming on the newest version of the classic tale
'Eye-catching: Donning a red waistcoat and black boots, Jude was every inch the swash-buckling Captain as he headed to the set for filming' - image and strapline sourced from the Daily Mail - image © CYVR/MOT
- The actor, 48, donned a face shield as he headed onto the set in his period pirate attire during filming for the live-action fantasy film in Vancouver
- Jude is the latest in the long line of actors who have played the famous pirate, joining the likes of Jason Isaacs, Dustin Hoffman and Garrett Hedlund - Peter Pan and Wendy will star The Reluctant Landlord's Alexander Molony and Black Widow's Ever Gabo Anderson as the titular duo
- Based on J.M. Barrie's classic 1911 novel, the film is set for release on Disney+ in 2022
By Laura Fox For Mailonline|Published: 8th April 2021 | Updated: 8th April 2021
Jude Law has been seen in character for the first time as Captain Hook, after beginning his work on the latest live action version of Peter Pan and Wendy. The actor, 48, donned a face shield as he headed onto the set in Vancouver in his period pirate attire to take on the role of the iconic fairy tale villain. Jude is just the latest actor in a long line of stars to play the legendary pirate in an adaptation of J.M. Barrie's classic novel, and follows in the footsteps of Jason Isaacs, Dustin Hoffman and Garrett Hedlund.
'Sinister: Jason Isaacs took on the role in 2003's Peter Pan, which was praised by critics despite struggling at the box office' - strapline and image sourced from the Daily Mail Online - image © od Jasin Boland/Universal/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
Donning a red waistcoat and black boots, Jude was every inch the swash-buckling Captain as he headed to the set for filming. The Arthur star sported noticeably longer locks that his typical coiffed cut, along with a scraggly beard and matching moustache. Hiding his character's signature Hook in place of an arm, Jude kept his right hand tucked away as he chatted a crew member on his way to the set.
Peter Pan and Wendy will star The Reluctant Landlord's Alexander Molony and Black Widow's Ever Gabo Anderson as the titular duo, in the latest adaptation of Barrie's 1904 play and 1911 novel. Ever first revealed in April she'd landed the role of Wendy, telling Flaunt: 'I just feel like Wendy, the girl that doesn't ever want to grow up! I wanted this part so bad, it's all I could think about. 'I was having a sleepover at my best friend's house when my parents called me on FaceTime. My mom asked if I was alone, so I took myself into a closet where I could have some privacy. My mom stared at me for a long moment with a very serious face and then broke into a huge smile and said, "You got the part!" Pete's Dragon director David Lowery will front the project, and will co-write the script with Toby Halbrooks.
The book tells the story of young Wendy Darling and her two brothers Michael and John, who fly away to Neverland after finding Peter and his fairy sidekick Tinker Bell in their bedroom. The siblings are greeted with a magical world full of fairies, mermaids, Indians and pirates, and join forces with Peter's crew The Lost Boys to defeat Captain Hook and take over his ship The Jolly Roger. Many actors have taken on the role over the years, most famously Dustin Hoffman in the 1991 film Hook, opposite Robin Williams as a grown-up version of Pan. Jason Isaacs took on the role in 2003's Peter Pan, Christopher Walken also played the part in NBC's live version of the 1954 musical. Stanley Tucci also played the part in the 2015 television film Peter and Wendy, and Colin O'Donoghue also played the part in the ABC series Once Upon A Time. The most recent incarnation of Hook came in the 2015 prequel Pan which saw Garrett Hedlund play a young version of the pirate before he lost his hand and turned to a life of villainy.
In many versions the same actor has played Captain Hook and Mr Darling, as the original novel hints that the villain is a mirror of the Darling children's strict father and his attempts to force them to 'grow up.' It was first reported back in July that Jude was in talks to play the role of Captain Hook in Disney's live-action adaptation. It comes following Disney's huge success in live-action adaptations of their animated films, including The Jungle Book, Aladdin and The Lion King.
2020 - Reprise of 'Peter Pan Live' (2014*) in the 'New Normal'
*2014 - Peter Pan Live! A live telecast of the beloved J. M. Barrie story
How 'Peter Pan' was originally advertised in 2014
Theatre News
All-star Peter Pan with Allison Williams and Christopher Walken to be streamed for free this week. The production has been rescheduled from earlier this month
Author : Alex Wood London 15th June, 2020
Photo : Jake Lucas as John Darling, John Allyn as Michael Darling, Allison Williams as Peter Pan, Taylor Louderman as Wendy Darling
© Virginia Sherwood / NBC Universal
The next instalment in "The Shows Must Go On" series has been revealed, with Peter Pan being streamed for free from Friday at 7pm. The show was previously scheduled to run from 5 June but was postponed due to the ongoing Black Lives Matter rallies and campaigns that have occurred across the world. You can find out more in our dedicated guide. The 2014 televised version of the 1954 Peter Pan Broadway musical will be available for 48 hours at 7pm from 19 June . It has music by Moose Charlap and Jule Styne, with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The 2014 production added new numbers and restored a song that had been cut from the show before its Broadway premiere.
It stars Allison Williams as Peter Pan, Christopher Walken as Captain Hook, Kelli O'Hara as Mrs Darling, Christian Borle as Mr Smee and Taylor Louderman as Wendy, with Minnie Driver acting as Narrator. The show will be available across the globe except, for rights reasons, Asia and Latin America. Source : whatsonstage.com
2018/9 - Peter Pan - The Musical (2013) Work In Progress
Daily Mail - By Baz Bamigboye for the Daily Mail |
BAZ BAMIGBOYE: Gary showers pixie dust on Pan musical: Barlow to give the show another overhaul before it flies into the West End next year
The musical Finding Neverland is to be overhauled — again — before it flies into the West End. The show — based on the novel by Allan Knee and the film that starred Kate Winslet and Johnny Depp, about J. M. Barrie’s inspiration for writing Peter Pan — has been through at least three iterations since it was launched five years ago in Leicester, where it was a disaster.
The show then ran on Broadway, and is now in Los Angeles, during a U.S. tour. It was due to have opened in London this summer, but for a variety of reasons has been postponed. It’s hoped it will be ready for 2018, or early the following year. After Leicester, Gary Barlow and playwright James Graham were contracted to revamp Neverland, and to a certain degree they have succeeded. At least there are now some hum-able songs — four of which I like a lot. But Barlow and Graham are going to be asked to work even harder: to come up with some new numbers, and to rewrite and sharpen the show’s book, paying particular attention to removing any Americanisms that would stick in the craw of British audiences. There’s also the delicate nature of the relationship between Barrie and the Llewelyn Davies boys (who prompted him to write Peter Pan), and how to put that across without it seeming creepy.
The elaborate staging by director Diane Paulus and strangely out-of-keeping choreography by Mia Michaels (I grimaced at each and every dance step she created) are likely to be ditched. It’s not yet known whether the pair would remain with a London production, or be replaced. One suggestion would be to bring in a British ‘show doctor’ to work alongside Ms Paulus. Frasier star Kelsey Grammer, who had the joint role of Barrie’s producer, Charles Frohman, and Captain Hook in the Broadway show, told me: ‘The plan had been to open in London this year, but they’re going to work on some changes and I’m hoping I’ll be in London with Finding Neverland next year.’
Neverland’s producer, Harvey Weinstein***, could not be reached for comment.
*** Oh dear and that was before the scandal broke .......
2018 - Peter Pan on Ice
New to Winter Wonderland this year, Peter Pan on Ice combines powerful storytelling and world-class ice skating.
"J M Barrie's well-loved story of Peter Pan takes to the ice at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, with breath-taking skating, flying and special effects. Join Peter – the boy who never grows up – as he and Tinker Bell whisk Wendy and her brothers from their London home off on a magical journey to Neverland. Together they enjoy thrilling adventures with the Lost Boys, encountering the evil Captain Hook and his pirates, as well as a hungry crocodile! Making a triumphant return to the Winter Palace Theatre for a third season, the award-winning Imperial Ice Stars comprise 24 World, European and National Championship-level skaters – including Olga Sharutenko from Dancing on Ice – who will have you on the edge of your seat with their exhilarating leaps, throws and spins, not to mention some daredevil aerial fighting! With state-of-the-art animated scenery, dazzling costumes, fire-on-ice and original music and songs, this narrated Peter Pan on Ice is a thrilling show for adults as well as families."
2018 - Peter Pan in the Park - (2015)
Packed with puppetry and enough theatrical magic to enchant both young and old alike, our spellbinding reinvention of Peter Pan is back. For the wounded soldiers of World War One, imagination is their only escape. Yet as they’re transported to the fantastical lagoons and pirate ships of Never Land, allegories of the war they’ve left behind are ever present. George Llewelyn Davies, later killed in action in 1915, was one of the children who inspired J. M. Barrie to create the iconic character of Peter Pan. Remembering him, and a generation of Lost Boys, Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel’s “stunning, moving, definitive production is not to be missed” (Time Out) : Source : Open Air Theatre
Poster sourced from openairtheatre.com
Full Review :
You think you know Pan? You don't know Pan
This review is from 2015; 'Peter Pan' returns for 2018 with a new cast to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War; a new review will follow in May 2018
Obviously it's presumptuous of me to say that Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel’s jaw-dropping outdoor production is the best ‘Peter Pan’ ever staged: JM Barrie’s play is 111 years old, and I think the only other stage version I’ve seen was a dire panto starring David Hasselhoff.
But screw it: the fact is JM Barrie’s story has proven more enduring than his actual 1904 play – if other productions of his drama about the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up were this good, it surely wouldn’t have faded into pantomime hell. The directors’ basic trick here is to realise ‘Peter Pan’ audiences have come for a magical spectacle, and then give them a heap more besides. The darkness beneath ‘Pan’s surface has been noted over the years: the story of lusty young boys hurling themselves recklessly into glorious battle with pirates in the enchanted realm of Neverland foreshadowed the cataclysm of WWI, in which the same generation threw itself away for real, with one of the fatalities being George Davies, Barrie’s favourite of the siblings who inspired the Lost Boys. Sheader and Steel cast ‘Peter Pan’ as a richly allegorical fantasia, in which the boys begin as wounded soldiers in a bombed out field hospital operated by Kae Alexander’s Wendy, while David Birrell’s haughty Captain Hook is explicitly styled to look like Lord Kitchener. In this allegory the boys' nemesis isn’t the Germans, but the callous empire that demands their lives. As Peter Pan, Sri Lankan-born Hiran Abeysekera’s is fascinating: dark skinned and accented, he is the perfect impish outsider but also, surely, a symbol for the dawning independence movements in Britain’s colonies. Crucially, none of this is laid on with a trowel: Neverland soon invades the real world (Jon Bausor’s sets are superb), and though the directors find a profound, elegiac context for Pan and posse’s adventures, their adapted text doesn’t beat you around the head with the horrors of war. Moreover, it looks stunning: stuffed with steampunky puppets courtesy of Rachel Canning – foremost the wondrously alien Tinkerbell, made of a lantern and a desk lamp – there’s also great wire work that allows Pan and the boys to fly around with élan, plus some stonkingly swashbuckling fight scenes. No expense has been spared – surely the West End beckons – and it’s every bit the do derring spectacle you want it to be. But it combines that with something more: the most audacious scene has the boys menaced by truly unsettling gasmask-wearing mermaid puppets. A visionary and defining production.
By: Andrzej Lukowski Posted: Wednesday, 1st November 2017 | More reviews here
2017 - National Theatre Live: Peter Pan
Simon Storey | 27th November 2017
115 years after J.M. Barrie created him, Peter Pan is still an icon of popular culture with a new film, television appearance or stage play seemingly coming out about every year. If you count all the animated films about Tinkerbell there's been no less than sixteen films made about him. He's without a doubt the world's favourite flamboyant overgrown child who lives in Neverland; the close runner-up being Michael Jackson. The latest adaptation is a charming and quite original take on the material by London's National Theatre. Directed by Sally Cookson who previously adapted Jane Eyre for National Theatre, this is partly a minimalist and partly a revisionist take on the material that succeeds in almost everything it tries. Both adults and children will enjoy this for there's something for everyone – enough whimsy for the ankle biters and enough knowing winks to give the parents something to smile at as well.
There's been numerous attempts at trying something totally new with Peter Pan – most infamously that scene in 2015's Pan where all the pirates get together and sing Smells Like Teen Spirit, which did for Nirvana's legacy what a shotgun did for the back of Kurt Cobain's head – but none of them have been quite so ambitious as the stylistic choices that Cookson has thought up. Tinkerbell is now a half naked South Asian man (Siakat Ahmed) with a hat that looks like it was made from Typo brand fairy lights, and Tiger Lily (Lois Chimimba) is an angry black Scottish lady with dreadlocks. The stand out of these revisionist changes is the gender swapped interpretation of Captain Hook (Anna Francolini) who looks and acts like a hipster from Brunswick who just dropped ketamine.NT Live Peter Pan poster
Image sourced from filmblerg.com
Leading the proceedings is a very energetic Paul Hilton as our titular hero. Flying around in a beautifully designed emerald suit, he's the perfect lead. He possesses an energy and youthful naivety that makes this whole production stand out, even if he seems to be aiming for a Peter Pan by the way of Rik Mayall. He's the perfect blend of brattish and sincere, able to be annoying in one scene but pull it back in the next. One that comes to mind is a pivotal scene of him flying with Wendy to a cover of Burt Bacharach's Close To You which is surprisingly moving. Many of the creative decisions are charming but many work better than others; some are even quite awkward. One of the best, and for that matter one of the funniest, decisions was how these character fly through the medium of a theatre piece. Underneath the costumes all the actors wear harnesses, and at the right moments ropes drop down from the ceiling which the actors then connect to. The first time that this happens it seems really awkward, for it takes about ten seconds of the actors fiddling with the carabiner to attach properly, but in the words of Peter: to fly you need courage, a happy memory and "fairy string". It's little knowing touches like this that elevate this play to something quite special. There's a sense of good humour, grace and charm bursting from this adaptation that makes it well worth seeking out. Although not entirely successful – there isn't one memorable song which isn't great for a musical – there are enough moments worthy of a smile and a chuckle to make this worth seeing. If your children can sit still for close to three hours (with an intermission) by all means take them. NT Live: Peter Pan is in selected cinemas for a limited time from 2nd December through Sharmill Films. Source : Filmblerg.com
Why mess with the original - none of these changes seem to endear people who know the real story .....
2016 - Peter Pan Goes Wrong - TV
From the Daily Mail :
Wendy Craig was my first Peter Pan. She flew! She actually possessed the power of levitating across the stage.
To a four-year-old, this was irrefutable proof that magic was real, so when later we all had to declare that we believed in fairies, I needed no more convincing. I still remember shouting so hard that I fell off my seat. That was at the Scala Theatre in London, probably in 1968 — certainly not much later, because it burned down the following year. Miss Craig is still going strong. After decades of classic sitcoms such as Butterflies, she is now detective Humphrey Goodman’s aunt on Death In Paradise, and later this month she’ll be loopy Miss Davina Bat in The Worst Witch on CBBC. She ought to be a Dame by now, except that in my heart she’ll always be a Principal Boy. (That’s a panto joke. Oh, please yourselves . . .)
All this means that J.M. Barrie’s play for children, a fixture of the Christmas theatre season since it was first performed in 1904, is a sacred text, and above mockery. So I approached Peter Pan Goes Wrong warily, not at all keen to see it traduced. In fact, this wickedly clever farce by the West End’s Mischief Theatre company didn’t merely respect the original — it expected us to know every line. If you didn’t, you might not have understood why there was a fat man dressed as a St Bernard (that was Nana, the children’s canine nursemaid) or how Captain Hook came to be so afraid of the crocodile.
Plenty of the jokes were aimed at the world of am dram, with its part-time prima donnas and wobbly sets, but mostly this was high-speed slapstick of the slickest order. When Peter lands heavily and gets smacked in the face by a loose plank, there’s no need to understand what point we’ve reached in the story. It’s just funny. And so many people got smacks in the face, or crushed by falling scenery, or set alight, or dropped from a great height, or pushed downstairs, or punched, kicked, throttled and trampled, that once you started giggling you never stopped. It was all done with split-second timing that would have made Buster Keaton proud. Even narrator David Suchet, hamming it up with joy, got flattened — by a runaway pirate ship.
The cast on the 'Jolly Roger' - image courtesy & © of the BBC
His little turn, when he stole Captain Hook’s moustache and donned it to become Hercule Poirot, was a shameless bit of scene-stealing — everyone else was suffering GBH for laughs, and he got one with a French accent. Served him right to get run over by the Jolly Roger.
This was a theatre production crammed onto the small screen. However faithfully it was done, the rumbles of that collapsing scenery and the smell of burning greasepaint would be all the funnier live. But it was imaginative, uproarious and wholly unexpected!
2016 - Peter Pan in Scarlet at the New Vic
Source New Vic : a New Vic Theatre and Oxford Playhouse Production
Based on an original novel by Geraldine McCaughrean. Adapted and directed by Theresa Heskins
The official sequel to J M Barrie’s Peter Pan by the three-time Whitbread Children’s Book Award winner, this awfully big adventure has been adapted for the stage in her trademark all-action style by New Vic Artistic Director, Theresa Heskins. It’s 1929, Wendy and the Lost Boys have all grown up. Then, suddenly, 20 years after they left, they begin to dream of Neverland – of pirates and mermaids, war paint and crocodiles. Something is wrong and Peter Pan needs their help.
So Wendy, John and the Lost Boys put on their children’s clothes and, armed only with fairy dust, fly back to Neverland to join Peter for one last adventure. But everything has changed. And the dangers they meet are beyond their wildest dreams.
2016 - The Man Who Was Peter Pan
Source : Theatre Workshop
2015 - Wendy & Peter Pan at the RSC (2013)
"A magical version of JM Barrie's classic children's story Wendy & Peter Pan by Ella Hickson adapted from the novel by JM Barrie"
Images sourced from and © of the RSC and Manuel Harlan for the action photograph
2015 - Peter Pan (a colouring book)
A Peter Pan Colouring Book released in 2015 to coincide with the new film 'Pan' - from my personal collection
2015 - Pan - A Film
'Twelve-year-old orphan Peter is spirited away to the magical world of Neverland, where he finds both fun and danger, and ultimately discovers his destiny -- to become the hero who will be for ever known as Peter Pan.' Source : IMDB
Image sourced from IMDB with thanks
Advert found on the reverse of the Peter Pan Colouring Book - from my private collection
2015 - Finding Neverland - Broadway Musical
The new Broadway Musical in 2015
Based on the Miramax motion picture by David Magee and the play The Man Who Was Peter Pan by Allan Knee, Finding Neverland follows the relationship between playwright J. M. Barrie and the family that inspired Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, one of the most beloved stories of all time. Source : Broadway World
FINDING NEVERLAND is Broadway’s biggest new hit and the winner of Broadway.com's Audience Choice Award for BEST MUSICAL! This breathtaking smash “captures the kid-at-heart” (Time Magazine). Vogue cheers, "it’s a must-see you’ll remember for years to come!” Directed by visionary Tony winner Diane Paulus, FINDING NEVERLAND tells the incredible story behind one of the world's most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. The magic of Barrie’s classic tale springs spectacularly to life in this heartwarming theatrical event. Source : Broward Center
2013 - 2018 - Peter Pan, the never ending story
Image courtesy and sourced from experiencenottinghamshire.com
This ground-breaking theatrical production, visiting Capital FM (now Motorpoint) Arena Nottingham 13 -15 September 2013, will transport audiences to a world full of fantasy as they witness for the first time, a theatrical spectacular of cinematic quality. A feast of dance and music, the show will capture the hearts and imaginations of every generation of the family! Peter Pan will fly! He’ll be elevated into the air without harnesses by an incredible wind turbine, allowing him to realistically fly on the stage. A breath-taking experience, this technology will be used for the very first time on stage! World renowned musical director Matt Dunkley will be adapting contemporary hits for this spectacle, transforming classic hits by Robbie Williams, Seal and Rod Stewart to name a few, creating a truly impressive soundtrack to compliment one of the most extraordinary arena shows ever seen! Source : experiencenottinghamshire.com
Images sourced from atgtickets.com
Staring the wonderful Stacey Solomon as Tinker Bell, the narrator of the story, this is a must-see production…
See the boy who never grows up in a live adventure you’ll never forget. Peter Pan, The Never Ending Story World Arena Tour is a high-flying, hi-tech fantasy adventure that combines the drama and excitement of live theatre with the epic visuals of a blockbuster movie. Pinch yourself as you watch Peter Pan fly high above the stage without wires – a world first in theatre! Marvel at the spectacular scenery, brought to life by state-of-the-art digital imaging – Neverland like never before. Lose yourself in the show’s original music score and specially arranged classic songs including Angels, Forever Young, Sailing and Nessun Dorma. And hold your breath as Peter, Wendy, Tinkerbell and the Lost Boys cross swords with Captain Hook and his Pirates. Featuring an international cast of acrobats, dancers, stuntmen and magicians, Peter Pan: The Never Ending Story World Arena Tour is a magical experience that moves live entertainment into a new dimension. Theatre… with added fairy dust! Source : ssearena.co.uk (Wembley)
"Many of us grew to love Peter Pan and his adventures from the iconic animated film produced by Walt Disney in 1953. However, few know the history of the titular character dates back to when J.M. Barrie wrote the play "Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up" in 1904. Since then, there have been many other adaptations but nothing quite like this musical. It takes this well-known classic into the modern realm by re-imagining the adventures of Peter Pan and his friends through chart-topping pop songs and slick choreography. In this production, Tinkerbell is the narrator and she takes us through Peter Pan's journey, from meeting Wendy, John and Michael Darling in London, to bringing them to Neverland and finally, to the epic sword fight against Captain Hook." - Narrative and image sourced from : thesmartlocal.com
Reviews here
2012 - Disney's Return to Neverland
The 2002 Disney sequel 'Return to Neverland' IMDB
2010 - Peter Pan at the National Theatre of Scotland
An advert which appeared in 'Scotland in Trust' Spring 2010 promoting the forthcoming National Theatre in Scotland production of 'Peter Pan'
Review
We all know the story of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up – right?
Not necessarily.
The National Theatre of Scotland recently premiered their new vision of JM Barrie's classic at The King's Theatre, Glasgow, with a grittier plot and stronger Scottish theme that connects with Barrie's roots. The setting is relocated from London to Edinburgh, where Mr Darling is now in charge of the construction of the Forth Rail Bridge, which dominates the set. Peter, Hook, Wendy and indeed the entire cast have much darker personas than you might expect. This is no Disney reproduction. With a script adapted by David Greig and directed by John Tiffany – the winning team behind the National Theatre of Scotland's internationally acclaimed Black Watch – this iteration of Neverland is no disappointment. The set designed by Laura Hopkins and lit by Guy Hoare is exquisite, creating the perfect backdrop of Edinburgh before transforming in to various locations in Neverland. I could spend days describing and puzzling out the special effects by illusionist Jamie Harrison, but fear spoiling the production for anyone who intends to see it – they literally have to be seen to be believed. I will divulge (given that the marketing materials kind of give it away) that Tinkerbell is literally a ball of flame that flies over the audience, interacts with the cast and is passed from hand to hand at times: it is mesmerising and much of the interval chatter was "how did they do that?". I have rarely sat in a theatre in awe of what can only describe as a true spectacle before me – I was just as captivated as all the children sat round the auditorium. I could also spend days praising Davey Anderson's wonderful Celtic music and Gareth Fry's immaculate sound design. They have created a unique sound of Scotland that is both ancient and contemporary at the same time, most befitting of Greig's writing.
Peter Pan playing with fire - image as it appeared in the ayoungertheatre.com review
Kevin Guthrie is an athletic Pan, and clearly enjoys playing both the light and shade aspects of the boy who never grew up. Kirsty Mackay is emotionally charged as Wendy in what has become a very demanding role in this version. Gone are thimbles, kisses and frivolity, and in their place we find anger, frustration and lust. The most notable performance is Cal MacAninch in his dual role as Mr Darling and Captain Hook. Stripped to the waist like his rival Pan, head shaved, covered in tattoos and wearing a kilt, he is as far from the stereotypical portrayal of the pirate Hook as you can get. The flying dynamic is very clever and very different from the traditional method, doubling to give the characters a unique way of leaping, bounding and Matrix-style fighting on demand. But it starts to feel a bit limited once you've seen the main tricks a few times, becoming less interesting to watch as the production progresses with the actors looking a bit stuck in the one place at times. The action and dialogue become a tad melodramatic and drawn out at times, eliciting a few tuts and titters from the patrons around me. But these are few and far between, and the pace is generally picked up with another collection of tricks that suck you back in. The plot is at times quite sinister and even raunchy, and you can't help but wonder – who exactly was this production aimed at? Is it for adults? Is it for kids? I've been left with the lasting impression that it is most definitely for both, and really should be experienced by audiences of all ages.
Sky Arts – The Making Of Peter Pan
I held off submitting my review for a few days after seeing the production as I found out Sky Arts had filmed a "making of" documentary, and wanted to see if it might influence my opinion. I must say, it gave a fascinating insight in to the process and the approach taken by both Greig and Tiffany as they set about adapting, designing and reimaging Pan for a modern audience, whilst presenting an interesting account of the life of JM Barrie in the background. Hearing John Tiffany talk so passionately about reproducing elements of fantasy and imagination on stage is just as engaging as watching the play itself. He also shares his vision for the more dramatic scenes, especially the last one between Peter and Wendy; and I admit, the melodrama can almost be forgiven as I better understand what he was trying to achieve. It made me reflect on whether or not the whole vision had been delivered; Greig certainly seems to believe so, and hopes JM Barrie himself would admire the piece. It is definitely a worthwhile venture, an extended "post-show chat" with the creative team, if you like, and has helped shape my final experience of the production. I hope Sky Arts produce more link ups with companies and theatre makers in this way to give us a deeper insight in to their creative processes.
I'll sign off with a quote from John Tiffany about the special effects: "Everything that I know about young audiences is that if you try and hide something from them, they'll catch you out. They want to find out the way you do things, they want to find out what your tricks are." This sentiment that could almost be the manifesto for A Younger Theatre. Now, tell us, just how exactly did you make Tinkerbell fly…?
Peter Pan premiered at The King's Theatre, Glasgow, from 23rdApril – 8th May. It runs at the Barbican from 12th – 29th May before touring Scotland. More dates and ticket details can be found on the National Theatre of Scotland website: www.nationaltheatrescotland.com. This review was written by Kris, our Glasgow based reviewer. Twitter: oorkris
Guardian Review
Lyn Gardner @lyngardner Sunday 2nd May 2010
King's, Glasgow
The National Theatre of Scotland director John Tiffany knows how to get his actors to make an eye-catching entrance. Alan Cumming descended on a rope upside-down and naked in The Bacchae, and in David Greig's new version of JM Barrie's play, transposed from Edwardian London to Victorian Edinburgh, Peter is first glimpsed prowling high above the stage like a flying animal. He is feral and sinister, trying to get in at the nursery window. Two horn-like quiffs in his hair give a nod to Pan, the great god of chaos. Peter's ability to play havoc with feelings – notably those of generations of Darling women who remember the siren call of Neverland long after they have grown up and become mothers – while never feeling anything himself, is the great tragedy of this drama. The tension is between the seductive pull of eternal childhood and the tragedy of never growing up, which must mean premature death, or, in Peter's case, an emotional retardation.
This tension is hinted at in this revival – from the moment when Mrs Darling first sees Peter at the nursery window, recognising the danger – but it remains tantalisingly elusive, just beyond Tiffany's and the audience's gaze, like Neverland itself. The heart never lurches and the throat never scratches, partly because Kevin Guthrie's Peter doesn't display sufficient heartless charm to be mesmerising. Kirsty Mackay's Wendy is no Edwardian good girl, but there is no sexual tension or longing in her relationship with Peter.
'Lacking magic ... David Greig's Peter Pan'. Photograph: Manuel Harlan - image and strapline as they appeared in the Guardian Review
There is no difficulty with the transposition from prissy Edwardian London to gritty Edinburgh; indeed, there are advantages, such as Cal MacAninch's bare-chested Hook, miles away from the Eton-educated dandy of tradition who has become such an unthreatening panto villain. The way this Hook runs his finger across a boy's cheek is disturbing. Tinkerbell, too, is brilliantly realised as a dancing flame who will burn anyone who angers her. The main difference from Barrie's original is the introduction of the Forth Bridge's construction, built using its own gangs of lost boys, whose childhoods were destroyed by their labour. Barrie wasn't above moralising himself (Peter's "To die would be an awfully big adventure" was a siren call to the first world war generation), but the bridge device creates a shift that makes it far less magical and powerful. The nursery window remains ajar for a thrilling Peter Pan.
2004 - Finding Neverland - The Film
The film poster for the 2004 film starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet with support from Dustin Hoffman and Julie Christie - IMDB
Much as I adore Christie she portrayed the du Maurier side of the family in a bad light, the choice of Winslet as Sylvia and Depp as Barrie was a bad mistake too; I have never liked Winslet, far too pretentious and I have stopped liking Depp in recent times, the last interesting film he made was 'The Tourist', regrettably 'Pirates' and 'The Lone Ranger' were more than a little pretentious! I expect Hoffman called in favours as this was his directorial debut as well as appearing in a cameo - I said I would be brutal!
Review : "Finding Neverland" is the story of a man who doesn't want to grow up, and writes the story of a boy who never does. The boy is Peter Pan, and the man is Sir J.M. Barrie, who wrote his famous play after falling under the spell of a widow and her four young boys. That Barrie was married at the time, that he all but ignored his wife, that he all but moved into the widow's home, that his interest in the boys raised little suspicion, would make this story play very differently today. Johnny Depp's performance makes Barrie not only believable, but acceptable. And he does it without evading the implications of his behavior: The movie doesn't inoculate Barrie as a "family friend," but shows him truly and deeply in love with the widow and her boys, although in an asexual way; we wonder, indeed, if this man has ever had sex, or ever wants to.
The movie opens in 1903 in a London theater where Barrie, a Scottish playwright, has seen his latest play turn into a disaster. He needs something new, and quickly, because his impresario (Dustin Hoffman) has a lease on the house and needs to keep it filled. In Kensington Gardens, Barrie happens upon the Davies family: the mother, Sylvia (Kate Winslet), and her boys Peter, George, Jack and Michael. As he watches them at play, a kind of spiritual hunger begins to glow in his eyes. They represent an innocence and purity that strikes him so powerfully he's unable to think of anything else.
He becomes friendly with the family. Sylvia has recently become widowed and is not interested in a new romance, but then, curiously, nothing about Barrie's behavior suggests he's attracted to her in that way. He idealizes her, he obsesses about her boys, and when he talks about his own unhappy childhood we get a glimpse of his motivation; when his older brother died, his parents started calling him by the brother's name, and perhaps he felt he lived his brother's childhood and never had his own.
He plays games with the boys. He wrestles with a big stuffed bear. He leads them in games involving pirates and cowboys and Indians. He dresses in funny costumes. The children like him and Sylvia is grateful for his attention, especially since she has developed an alarming cough and he helps take care of the boys. The only holdout is Peter, played by Freddie Highmore in a remarkable performance; if Barrie never grew up, Peter was perhaps never a child. He is wise and solemn, feels the loss of his father more sharply than his brothers, and boldly tells Barrie: "You're not my father." Nor does Barrie want to be; he wants to be his brother. Sylvia's condition worsens, and when the boys stage a play in the family garden, it's cut short by her coughing. The boys are reassured that nothing serious is wrong, but Peter is sure they're lying to him about her illness: "I won't be made a fool!"
Two other women regard this situation with alarm. Barrie's wife Mary (Radha Mitchell) rarely sees him at home and is understandably disturbed about his relationship with the Davies family, although she is not as angry as she might be; there is the implication that she has long since given up on expecting rational behavior from her husband. He lives in a dream world, and to some degree she understands that. Not as sympathetic is Emma du Maurier (Julie Christie), Sylvia's mother, who as the widow of the famous George du Maurier moved in sophisticated circles and is not amused by a 43-year-old man who wants to become the best playmate of her grandchildren.
It is Barrie's innocence, or naivete, or perhaps even a kind of rapture, impervious to common sense, that steers him past all obstacles as he begins to form the idea of "Peter Pan" in his mind. The boys are his muses. He tries to explain his new play to his impresario, who has just closed one flop, doesn't want to open another, and is less than thrilled about a play involving fairies, pirates, and children who can fly. Depp in his scenes shows Barrie in the grip of a holy zeal, his mind operating on a private, almost trance-like level, as the play comes into focus for him. He knows, if nobody else does, that he is creating a myth that will powerfully involve children. His masterstroke is to invite 25 orphans to the play's opening night and scatter them through the audience, where their laughter and delight stirs the adults to see the magic in the play.
For Depp, "Finding Neverland" is the latest in an extraordinary series of performances. After his Oscar nomination for "Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl" (2003), here is another role that seems destined for nomination. And then think of his work in "Secret Window" (2004), the Stephen King story about the author caught in a nightmare, and his demented CIA agent in "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" (2003), and wait until you see him in "The Libertine," as the depraved and shameless Earl of Rochester. That the flamboyance of his pirate and the debauchery of the Earl could exist in the same actor as the soft-spoken, gentle, inward J.M. Barrie is remarkable. It is commonplace for actors to play widely differing roles, but Depp never makes it feel like a reach; all of these notes seem well within his range.
"Finding Neverland" is, finally, surprisingly moving. The screenplay by David Magee (based on Allan Knee's play) and the direction of Marc Forster ("Monster's Ball") manipulate the facts to get their effect; Sylvia's husband was still alive in the original story, for example, and her illness had not taken hold. But by compressing events, the movie creates for the Barrie character an opportunity for unconditional love. What he feels for the Davies family is disinterested and pure, despite all the appearances. What he feels for his wife remains a mystery, not least to her.
Article and image sourced from the Radio Times dated 28th March - 3rd April 2015
I chose to include this review because I rate Barry Norman as a reviewer. He brings up the spectre of today's values by reminding us of 'Operation Yewtree' in his opening paragraph and titles his review 'The man who was Peter Pan' which is usually incorrectly appended to Peter Llewelyn-Davies by those who really don't know any better! (See my book review : 'The Real Peter Pan: J. M. Barrie and the Boy Who Inspired Him' by Piers Dudgeon). A more accurate title might have been 'The man who imagined Peter Pan.' I think that Norman answers his own disturbing query of implied 'inappropriate behaviour' by virtue of the fact that right up to the present day there is no hint from any surviving du Maurier or Llewelyn-Davies family member that there was anything untoward between Barrie and the Boys. Yes, I was uncomfortable at first working on the history of the relationship in 'The Lost Boys' but then, I was still naive and unspoilt and nowhere a cynical as I can be on occasion these days when the mood takes me. I enjoyed working with Louis Marks and respected and trusted him, his choices and his intuition enormously - in my eyes he could do not wrong and if he thought the Barrie/Llewelyn-Davies was a worthy project then I was with him all the way! (I actually chose my three Producers exceptionally well as all of them chose incredible subjects to work on or had phenomenal pedigrees in the world of television Drama in various capacities!) Looking back and comparing the parallel lives of authors of the era A.A. Milne (Pooh), Lewis Carroll (Alice) and a little later Michael Bond (Paddington) they all used their interaction with children (their own or those they 'could give back at the end of the day') to create a beautiful fantasy world for the rest of us! Today's 'dandruff flakes' are probably quaking under the stairs at the very thought. However, as usual I digress, returning to this version of the film; I wasn't impressed with Kate Winslet taking the role of Sylvia and Johnny Depp really wasn't Barrie, he can't help himself, Johnny Depp plays Johnny Depp. Kate Winslet is more adaptable (unlike Glenda Jackson who always played herself in the role of Elizabeth I) but doesn't have the depth of Meryl Streep, a real chameleon of the cinematic medium. Winslet has a gift for choosing excellent roles but it doesn't mean she is excellent in them - sorry Kate. Unfortunately I lost any respect the three leads might ever have earned from me by their public persona : Winslet claiming she didn't want fame and would forever be faithful to her first husband, currently with husband no. 3, Depp, who started so promisingly and even recently had me in hysterics as we watched 'The Lone Ranger', then came the dumping of long-time partner, Vanessa and the subsequent and somewhat seedy story with wife Amber; Dustin Hoffman - ah well, another one who has gone down the long, long trail of the accused! In all it was a pretty film and used Freddie Highmore in the role of Peter Llewelyn-Davies once again emphasizing the erroneous belief that the third son, Peter was the basis for 'Peter Pan.' I could go on, but that would be like flogging a dead horse, Hollywood and Johnny Depp did what Hollywood and Johnny Depp wanted to do - to make money! (While I'm at it, since I've been forced into making changes on this page, for the better with certain omissions - we have of course recently experienced a lot or re-writing of history on screen and so perhaps this version was simply the precursor of the future style of cinematography - I'll stick with my beloved golden oldies and the occasional new film which has, IMHO, some substance!)
2003 - Neverland - A Film
'Never Grow Up Never Grow Old'
When Peter takes Wendy to Neverland - a burnt out suburban amusement park filled with self-styled fairies, lost punks and beautiful performers - the classic fantasy story becomes a chilling nightmare at the hands of Captain Hook, who is hell-bent on destroying the youth and beauty he so desperately envies. Source : IMDB
2003 - Peter Pan - A Film
The Darling family children receive a visit from Peter Pan, who takes them to Never Never Land where an ongoing war with the evil Pirate Captain Hook is taking place.
Image sourced from IMDB © Universal Studios 2003
2000 - Peter Pan - Film of the hit Broadway Musical
Cathy Rigby in the stage production of Peter Pan at the La Mirada Theatre for Performing Arts
Maybe Cathy Rigby is the equivalent performer who 'never grows up' as her career as Peter Pan has spanned over 25 years! From the Chicago Tribune Charities to the La Mirada Theatre for Performing Arts and into infinity!
Cathy Rigby, 1973 (Tour), 1986 (West Coast), chunks of time between 1990-1999 (Broadway), 2000 (TV), 2005 (Farewell Tour), 2011-2013 (International Tour)
Cathy Rigby was a world-famous American gymnast in the ’60s and ’70s who competed in the Olympics and the World Championships. After retiring, she was picked up for an NBC Arena Touring Production of Peter Pan that same year, going on to play the role on out west in 1986. In 1990, Rigby began what would become a periodic Broadway engagement as Peter Pan, usually running throughout the holiday season. She’s become iconically associated with the role, which she has played as recently as last year at the age of 60. She also appeared in the 2000 TV Movie on A&E. Source : autostraddle.com
1991 - Hook - The Film
l to r Bob Hoskins (Smee), Dustin Hoffman (Hook) and Robin Williams (Pan)
You can imagine, can't you, purist that I am that this version of the film would not really appeal to me and it didn't, because, as usual the original plot was reworked. To what purpose I can only speculate .... however, it was a lavish production as you would expect from Spielberg. I didn't like it. It also seemed, according to the critics, to have failed miserably if the on-line reviews are anything to go by. I'm sad to say that the trio shown above all have something unsavoury about them - Hoskins I have personal knowledge of, he together with Ralph Nossek decided to try and destroy my car and didn't even leave a note! Eventually they coughed up to the crime and paid for the damage, but only after I had reported the incident to the Police; nasty oiks the pair of them. Hoffman is currently under scrutiny for his sexual and un-pc behaviour towards his peers and Williams committed suicide in 2014, was he afraid of some sort of exposure? Not a nice 'crew' to depict one of the most loved children's stories of all time. Astonishingly - yes, astonishingly my brother-in-law (Andrew's youngest sibling) doesn't know the classic tale of Peter Pan, has never read it and believes 'Hook' to be the definitive! Ouch!
1988 - Peter Pan - (Animation)
Peter Pan takes Wendy, John and Michael to Neverland to live with the Lost Boys and foil the dim-witted Captain Jasper Hook and his crew of three pirates; Smee, Cecco and a large black man.
Image sourced from IMDB
1978 - The BBC's 'Lost Boys'
Luckily a DVD of our 'Lost Boys' exists and it is interesting some of the diverse quotes from television critics as part of the selling point!
1976 - Live action Peter Pan Musical TV Movie
Peter Pan was a 1976 musical adaptation of J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, produced for television as part of the "Hallmark Hall of Fame", starring Mia Farrow as Peter Pan and Danny Kaye as Captain Hook, and with Sir John Gielgud narrating. Julie Andrews sang one of the songs, "Once Upon a Bedtime", off-camera over the opening credits. It aired on NBC at 7:30pm on Sunday, December 12, 1976, capping off the program's 25th year on the air. The program did not use the score written for the highly successful Mary Martin version which had previously been televised many times on NBC. Instead, it featured 14 new and now forgotten songs, written for the production by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. Source : tvmuseumdvds.com
Mia Farrow striking a pose as "Peter Pan" - image sourced from autostraddle.com via toutlecine
TV Guide dated 11th December 1976 - image sourced from ebay.ie (miscellaneous DVD search)
Illustration from the Philadelphia "Inquirer" TV Week supplement dated 12th December 1976 - image sourced from ebay.com
Mia Farrow as Peter Pan - image sourced from tvmuseumdvds.com
Chicago "Sun-Times" TV Prevue Magazine dated 12th December 1976 featuring Mia Farrow as "Peter Pan" on the front cover. Image sourced from picclick.co.uk
Article accompanying TV Guide sourced from ebay.ie (miscellaneous DVD search)
Hall of Fame - 7.30pm - Peter Pan Special
Mia Farrow and Danny Kaye star in a new TV adaptation of the children's classic.
J.M. Barrie's tale tells of the perennial youth Peter Pan (Farrow) and his adventures with the Darling children and the villainous Captain Hook (Kaye) in Never-Never Land, the home of youngsters who never grow up.
Mary Martin won an Emmy for the 1966 TV adaptation of the play, Best Program of that year. Anthony Newley and Lesley Bricusse wrote the score for this production. Musical highlights include "Once upon a bedtime" (sung by Julie Andrews over the opening credits), "I'm better with You", "They don't male 'em like me any more", "By Hook or by Crook" and "The Rotters Hall of Fame."
John Gielgud narrates, Mrs. Darling : Virginia McKenna, Tiger Lily : Paula Kelly, Wendy : Briony McRoberts, Smee : Tony Sympson, John : Ian Sharrock, Michael : Adam Stafford.
(A background article about the writing of "Peter Pan" is on page 12 - See image below) - Full list of song titles (from an independent website devoted to Danny Kaye) available here
I always seem to end up transcribing either the written word or audio tapes - luckily this image sourced from ebay.ie (miscellaneous DVD search) is visibly readable and thereby saving me the trouble (unfortunately the can did chop bits off the bottom!)
1960 - Peter Pan
Starring Mary Martin (J.R.'s mum!)
Mary Martin as Peter Pan and immortalised in a lithograph by : Artist : Albert Hirschfeld (American, 1903–2003) | Title: Peter Pan, Mary Martin Medium: lithograph - image sourced from Artnet
Image sourced from discogs
A rare treat - costume design for Mary Martin as Peter Pan. Designed by Academy Award winner Dorothy Jeakins - image sourced from peterpanhistory.com
1954 - Peter Pan televised
Starring Mary Martin (J.R.'s mum!)
Mary Martin on the cover of the original Broadway production of the musical play song sheet - image sourced from goldcountrygirls.blogspot.com
The Producer's Showcase
Mary Martin won a Tony Award playing the lead role in the 1954 Broadway production of Peter Pan - image sourced from and mprnews.org © of NBC
Cover of the TV Programme featuring 'Peter Pan' - image sourced from ebay
Programme details of the televised production of Peter Pan - image sourced from enchantedamerica.com
1953 - Disney's Peter Pan
Disney's 'Peter Pan' 1953 animation IMDB
1924 - Peter Pan
Lobby Cards
This silent version was directed by Herbert Brenon and starred Betty Bronson as Peter Pan and Mary Brian as Wendy Darling. It also featured Ernest Torrence as Captain Hook, Virginia Browne Faire as Tinker Bell.
Page refreshed & updated : 12th April 2021 (Page still under partial construction) (G)