This was the first revival of the 1982/83 RSC production. It opened at the Barbican Theatre on the 17th December 1983 and ran throughout the Christmas season.
It was revived again at the Barbican for the RSC Christmas season of 1984/5.
The Adapters and Directors were greatly indebted to Andrew Birkin, the world authority on Peter Pan, for his invaluable help with the text.
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.
| Written by | J. M. Barrie |
| Adapted by | John Caird and Trevor Nunn |
| Directors | John Caird and Trevor Nunn |
| Designer | John Napier |
| Costumes | Andreane Neofitou |
| Lighting | David Hersey |
| Music | Stephen Oliver |
| Fights Director | Malcolm Ransom |
| Design Supervisor | William Lockwood |
| Lighting Supervisor | Jo Celder |
| Dance Assistant | Noelyn George |
| Assistant Director | Brigid Larmour |
| Script Assistant | Sarah Spare |
| Stage Manager | Monica McCabe |
| Deputy Stage Manager | Hilary Groves |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Michael Stanislaw |
| The production was sponsored by James M. Nederlander and presented in association with the | Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children |
| Copyright of Peter Pan was vested. |
| The Storyteller | Edward Petherbridge |
| Mr Darling | Stephen Moore |
| Mrs Darling | Frances Tomelty |
| Wendy | Katy Behean |
| John | David Parfitt |
| Michael | John McAndrew |
| Nana | Alexandra Brook |
| Liza | Sara Mair-Thomas |
| Peter Pan | Mark Rylance |
| Tinker Bell | Katherine Levy |
| The Ostrich | David Phelan |
| Slightly | Michael Fitzgerald |
| Tootles | Mike Grady |
| Nibs | Simon Butteriss |
| Curly | John Tramper |
| First Twin | Floyd Bevan |
| Second Twin | John Dougall |
| Cecco | Stephen Rashbrook |
| Bill Jukes | Andrew Jarvis |
| Cookson | Robin Meredith |
| Gentleman Starkey | George Parsons |
| Skylights | Ray Llewellyn |
| Smee | Jimmy Gardner |
| Noodler | Tony Westrope |
| Robert Mullins | Peter Ellis |
| Captain James Hook | Stephen Moore |
| The Crocodile | Andrew Jarvis & Stephen Rashbrook |
| Great Big Little Panther | Mike Murray |
| Tiger Lily | Susan Leong |
| The Piccanninny Tribe | Alexandra Brook / Simon Clark / Noelyn George / Katherine Levy / Sara Mair-Thomas / David Phelan / Ken Robertson / Jayne Tottman |
| The Mermaids | Alexandra Brook / Noelyn George / Katherine Levy / Sara Mair-Thomas / Jayne Tottman |
| The Never Bird | Noelyn George |
| Chay Turley | Simon Clark |
| George Scourie | Richard Clifford |
| Wibbles | Ken Robertson |
| Alsatian Fogerty | Mike Murray |
| Canary Robb | David Phelan |
| Jane | Jayne Tottman |
| Musical Director / Piano / Synthesiser | Richard Brown |
| Trumpets | Roderick Tearle / Colin Rae |
| Horns | Brian Newman / Duncan Hollowood |
| Trombone | David Hissey |
| Flute | Christopher Lacey |
| Oboe | Caroline Marwood |
| Clarinet | Victor Slaymark |
| Bassoon | Peter Whittaker |
| Cello | Andrea Hess |
| Percussion | Tony McVey / Peter Washtell |
| Story Teller / Great Big Little Panther | Simon Clark |
| Peter Pan | John Dougall |
| Mr Darling / Captain Hook | Peter Ellis |
| Mrs Darling | Anna Fox |
| Tiger Lily | Noelyn George |
| Liza | Susan Leong |
| Jane | Katharine Levy |
| Starkey | Ray Llewellyn |
| Wendy | Sara Mair-Thomas |
| Nibs / Cecco | David Phelan |
| Tootles / Curly / Michael | Stephen Rashbrook |
| Ostrich / Tinkerbell / Neverbird | Jayne Tottman |
| Nana | John Tramper |
| Slightly / Crocodile | Tony Westrope |
Production Acknowledgements
| Co-production Manager | Nick Jones |
| Costume Supervisor | Clare Mitchell |
| Canine movement by | Sue Lefton |
| Scenery, properties and painting refurbished by | RST Workshops |
| Scenery built and painted by | Kimpton-Walker |
| Additional painting by | Alan Skidmore |
| Flying system designed by | Mike Barnet |
| Revolve supplied by | English National Opera |
| Property supervision by | Richard Christie and Partners |
| Swords supplied by | Alan Meek |
| Costumes by | RSC London Production Wardrobe / Antoinette Gregory / Henrietta Webb / Diana Belli / Arthur Davey / Roxane Bennetts / Sylvia Granger / Jane Rumble / Sally Long / Alison Nalder / Sue Chapman |
| Painting and Dyeing by | Penny Handrill / Josephine Bayliss |
| Hired costumes supplied by | Bermans & Nathans / Cosprop |
| Sound effects supplied by | World Wildlife Fund |
| Production photographers by | Sophie Baker |
| Programme compiled and edited by | Ellen Goodman |
| Programme designed by | Ginni Moo-Young / Roger Walton |
| Advertising by | Cabbell Publishing Limited |
