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.
“... the utterly exhilarating new production by John Caird and Trevor Nunn at the Barbican. Gone is that simplified and often tacky Peter Pantomime we have endured in recent years past. Instead we have a resonant and beguiling fantasy that boasts as much spectacle as any child could wish; and that, at the same time, touches on the double Barriesque tragedy of growing up into conformity or being marooned indefinitely in the Never Land. ”
The Guardian
“The first thing to be said about this irresistible production for the RSC by John Caird and Trevor Nunn is that I am amazed that the travesty tradition in the central role ... has survived so long ...”
The Financial Times
“The RSC has taken the work out of mothballs and elevated it from the ghetto of children's theatre into a national masterpiece.”
The Adapters and Directors were greatly indebted to Andrew Birkin, the world authority on Peter Pan, for his invaluable help with the text.
The production was sponsored by James M. Nederlander and presented in association with the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, in whom the
Copyright of Peter Pan was vested.
Cast
The Storyteller
Stephen Moore
Mr Darling
Joss Ackland
Mrs Darling
Sheila Hancock
Wendy
Jane Carr
John
Philip Franks
Michael
Andrew Thomas James
Nana
Christopher Hurst
Liza
Clare Travers-Deacon
Peter Pan
Miles Anderson
Tinker Bell
Jan Revere
The Ostrich
Susan Jane Tanner & Antony Simons
Slightly
James Fleet
Tootles
Anthony O’Donnell
Nibs
Joseph Marcell
Curly
Dexter Fletcher
First Twin
Philip Walsh
Second Twin
Ken Robertson
Cecco
Steve Simmonds
Bill Jukes
Andrew Jarvis
Cookson
Brian Poyser
Gentleman Starkey
Colin Tarrant
Skylights
Stewart Mackintosh
Smee
George Raistrick
Noodler
Gary Sharkey
Robert Mullins
Peter Ellis
Captain James Hook
Joss Ackland
The Crocodile
Andrew Jarvis & Steve Simmonds
Great Big Little Panther
Mike Murray
Tiger Lily
Seeta Indrani
The Piccanninny Tribe
Sarah Finch / Noelyn George / Michael Gyngell / Tom Hunsinger / Christopher Hurst / Susan Leong / Antony Simons / Jan Revere / Susan Jane Tanner / Clare Travers-Deacon
The Mermaids
Sarah Finch / Noelyn George / Susan Leong / Jan Revere / Susan Jane Tanner
The Never Bird
Noelyn George
Chay Turley
Michael Gyngell
George Scourie
Tom Hunsinger
Wibbles
Christopher Hurst
Alsatian Fogerty
Mike Murray
Canary Robb
Antony Simons
Jane
Sarah Finch
Musicians
Musical Director / Piano / Synthesiser
Nigel Hess
Trumpets
Peter Cameron / Roderick Tearle
Horns
Duncan Hollowood / Brian Newman
Trombone
David Hissey
Flute
Christopher Lacey
Clarinet
Victor Slaymark
Bassoon
Peter Whittaker
Percussion
Tony McVey / Peter Washtell
Understudies
Wendy
Sarah Finch
Michael
Dexter Fletcher
Peter Pan
Philip Franks
Tiger Lily
Noelyn George
Curly
Michael Gyngell
John / Tootles
Tom Hunsinger
Nibs
Christopher Hurst
Liza
Susan Leong
Gentleman Starkey
Steward Mackintosh
Smee
Mike Murray
Hook / Mr Darling
George Raistrick
Jane / Nana
Jan Revere
Slightly
Gary Sharkey
Twins
Antony Simons
Mrs Darling
Susan Jane Tanner
Production Acknowledgements
Scenery built and painted by
Kimpton-Walker
Flying system designed by
Mike Barnet
Flying system built by
B T Skipp
and installed by
Stage Services
Additional flying by
Kirby's Flying Ballets
Revolve supplied by
English National Operaa
Property supervision by
Richard Christie & Partners
Swords supplied by
Alan Meek
Costumes by
RSC London Production Wardrobe / Fran Bristow / Arthur Davey / Sue Chapman / Henrietta Webb / Jane Rumble / Alison Nalder / Gerald Cheshire / Diana Belli
