Peter Pan

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Photographs generously provided by Gautier Deblonde and the National Theatre Archive.

This was a new adaptation for the Royal Shakespeare Company based on a wide variety of J. M. Barrie’s original source material. It was first performed at the Barbican Theatre on 11 December 1982 and ran through the Christmas season until 22 January 1983. It was subsequently revived for the RSC Christmas seasons of 1983/4 and 1984/5.

A slightly different adaptation was made for the National Theatre Christmas seasons of 1997/8 and 1998/9. The RSC version is published by DPS in New York. The NT version was published by Methuen in England.

American or Canadian producers or theatre companies wishing to produce this version of Peter Pan should apply for the rights to DPS in New York. All other enquiries concerning all other territories should be made to Michael McCoy at Independent Talent Group.

The Version

This production was the first time the part of Peter had ever been played by a male actor - the other children’s roles all being played by adults. Up until then the part had always been played by an adult actress with the other children’s roles being played by a mix of adults and children. Thus one of the greatest dramatic love stories ever written had degenerated into a grim annual pantomime, so far from Barrie’s original intention he would have wept to see it.

For a full account of the way the adaptation was made, please refer to the essay in one of the published versions.