Customer Reviews

Peter Pan (Puffin Books)

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In 1905 J.M. Barrie's most famous play "Peter Pan (or the Boy Who Would Not Grow Up)" premiered on Broadway. There were 7 Broadway productions between 1905-1951. I've seen the play onstage (University of Iowa), on television (Mary Martin), in animated film (Disney) and its most recent cinematic production (Mohamed Al Fayed). I'm glad I finally decided to pick up the stage play and read the script. Now at 103, the play has aged a bit. Having the front curtain called "the blind" is not our usual theatrical vernacular. But the play is a delightful fantasy. Written in five acts, Barrie keeps the story moving at a brisk pace, with the long scene between Wendy and Peter in the first act being utterly charming. Mrs. Darling is entirely sympathetic and her husband's bravado is endearingly human. Having a major character be Nana the dog adds such a charming touch even to the scenes in the Darling household. Tinkerbell is a delight that makes both the adults and children cheer. I hadn't realized that Peter kills some of the pirates in this version when the boys are taken onto the boat. The final dream sequence reads like an epilogue. Wendy returns to Neverland a year later. She's grown larger & Peter's is harder for her to see. Wendy's flying has deteriorated; so she returns with the aid of a broom. This is a play that will well fly upon the modern stage, even a 100+ years later. Barrie let his imagination fly and created a lasting classic. Enjoy!