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Peter Pan

Story by

J.M. Barrie

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Cast List:

• Wendy

• John

• Michael

• Mr. Darling

• Mrs. Darling

• Peter Pan

• Slightly

• Tootles

• Curley

• Nibs

• Twin #1

• Twin #2

• Hook

• Smee

• Starkey

• Bill Jukes

• Cecco

• Mullins

• Noodler

• (Alfie)

• Tiger Lily

• Jane

Possible doubling option: Actor 1: Peter Pan Actor 2: Wendy

Actor 3: Mr. Darling/Hook/Slightly

Actor 4: Jane/Tootles/Starkey

Actor 5: Michael/Twins/Nibs

Actor 6: Mrs. Darling/Smee/Twins

Actor 7: John/Lost Boy/Pirate Other characters are portrayed only as

shadow puppets.

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Prologue

(Darkness, with stars. The actors play like children to bring the world alive. The

following narration is spoken by various individual members of the ENSEMBLE, as

Wendy and Mrs. Darling enact the little scene in the garden.) ENSEMBLE

All children, except one, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up, and

the way Wendy knew was this: One day when she was two years old she was

playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her

mother. I suppose she must have looked rather delightful, for Mrs. Darling put

her hand to her heart and cried:

MRS. DARLING

Oh, why can't you stay like this forever!

ENSEMBLE This was all that passed between them on the subject, but henceforth Wendy

knew that she must grow up. You always know after you are two. Two is the

beginning of the end. Scene 1 – The Shadow Goes Missing

The Nursery of the Darling Home. Nana, the dog and nursemaid, is carrying Michael

on her back, and attempting to carry him out to have a bath. John and Wendy are

pretending to be their own parents, as Mrs. Darling watches.

MICHAEL

I won't go to bed! I won't, I won't! Nana, it isn't six o'clock yet. Oh dear, oh

dear, I shan't love you any more, Nana. I tell you I won't be bathed! I won't, I

won't!

JOHN

A little less noise there…

WENDY

Oh John, you sound just like father!

JOHN

I am happy to inform you, Mrs. Darling, that you are now a mother.

WENDY

Oh, happy day! I shall call her Wendy.

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JOHN

I say, I am even happier to inform you, Mrs. Darling, that you are now the

mother of a male child, as well.

WENDY

Sweet little John!

MICHAEL

May I be born also?

JOHN

No! We don't want any more.

MICHAEL

Nobody wants me.

MRS. DARLING

I do. I so want a third child.

MICHAEL

Boy or girl?

MRS. DARLING

Boy.

(Michael leaps into Mrs. Darling's arms, as Mr. Darling rushes in like a tornado.)

MR. DARLING

Mother! Mother!

MRS. DARLING

Why what is the matter, father dear?

MR. DARLING

Matter? This tie, it will not tie. Not round my neck! Round the bedpost! Oh

yes, twenty times have I made it up round the bedpost, but round my neck, no!

Oh dear no! Begs to be excused!

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MRS. DARLING

Now, George…

MR. DARLING

I warn you of this, mother, that unless this tie is round my neck we don't go out

to dinner tonight, and if I don't go out to dinner tonight, I never go to the office

again, and if I don't go to the office again, you and I starve, and our children will

be flung into the streets.

MRS. DARLING

Let me try, dear.

(As their children watch their fate being decided, Mrs. Darling ties the tie.)

MR. DARLING

Thank you, love. Now where is my littlest boy?

(Mr. Darling dances round the room with Michael on his back, only to collide with

Nana.)

MR. DARLING

Oh, dash it all Nana - you have covered my trousers with hair.

WENDY

I'm sure she didn't mean to, father!

MR. DARLING

And these are not only new trousers, but they are the first I have ever had with

braid on them!

(He bites his lip to prevent the tears from coming.)

MRS. DARLING

There, there, George - just hold still.

(Mrs. Darling brushes off the hairs.)

MR. DARLING

Sometimes I think it was a mistake to have a dog as a nurse.

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MRS. DARLING

George, Nana is a treasure.

MR. DARLING

No doubt, but I have an uneasy feeling at times that she looks upon the children

as puppies.

MRS. DARLING

Oh no, dear one, I'm sure she knows that they have souls.

MR. DARLING

I wonder, I wonder.

MRS. DARLING

George, dear, never mind that - I have been wanting to show you something

peculiar. I believe that while they sleep, our children have been receiving an

uninvited visitor.

MR. DARLING

What nonsense you talk, precious. No one can get into the house without

knocking.

MRS. DARLING

I know, George. But last week, Nana had just returned from her evening out,

and sprang at a strange boy, who simply leapt through the window. Nana closed

it quickly, too late to catch him, but his shadow had no time to get out - slam

went the window and snapped it off.

MR. DARLING

Let us have a look, then.

MRS. DARLING

You may be sure that I examined the shadow carefully, but it is quite the

ordinary kind.

(Mr. and Mrs. Darling unroll the shadow and examine it together.)

MR. DARLING

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It is nobody I know, but it does look a scoundrel…

(During this time, Nana has brought in a bottle of medicine for Michael, who cries out:)

MICHAEL

I don't want any medicine, Nana!

MR. DARLING

Be a man, Michael.

MICHAEL

Won't; won't!

MRS. DARLING

Here, my dear - let me fetch you a chocolate.

(Mrs. Darling and Nana exit together)

MR. DARLING

Mother, don't pamper him. Michael, when I was your age I took medicine

without a murmur. I said, "Thank you, kind parents, for giving me bottles to

make me well."

WENDY

That medicine you sometimes take, father, is much nastier, isn't it?

MR. DARLING

Ever so much nastier, and I would take it now as an example to you, Michael, if

I hadn't lost the bottle.

WENDY

I know where it is, father! I'll bring it…

MR. DARLING

John, it's the most beastly stuff. It's that nasty, sticky, sweet kind.

JOHN

It will soon be over, father.

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(Wendy enters with the bottle.)

WENDY

I have been as quick as I could…

MR. DARLING

You have been wonderfully quick. Michael first.

MICHAEL

Father first.

MR. DARLING

I shall be sick, you know.

JOHN

Come on, father.

MR. DARLING

Hold your tongue, John.

WENDY

I thought you took it quite easily, father.

MR. DARLING

That is not the point. The point is, that there is more in my glass than in

Michael's spoon. And it isn't fair: I would say it though it were with my last

breath; it isn't fair.

MICHAEL

Father's a cowardly custard.

MR. DARLING

So are you a cowardly custard.

MICHAEL

I'm not frightened.

MR. DARLING

Neither am I frightened.

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MICHAEL

Well, then take it.

MR. DARLING

Well, then, you take it.

WENDY

Why not both take it at the same time?

MR. DARLING

Certainly. Are you ready, Michael?

WENDY

One, two, three!

(Michael takes his medicine, but Mr. Darling slips his behind his back.)

MICHAEL

Not fair!

JOHN

Bad form!

WENDY

O, father!

MR. DARLING

What do you mean 'O father'? Stop that row, Michael. I meant to take mine, but

I - I missed it.

(The three children give him a dreadful look - just as if they did not admire him.)

MR. DARLING

Look here, all of you, I have just thought of a splendid joke. I shall pour my

medicine into Nana's bowl, and she will drink it, thinking it is milk!

(The children look at him reproachfully as he pours the medicine into Nana's bowl.)

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MR. DARLING

What fun!

(Mrs. Darling and Nana enter.)

MR. DARLING

Nana, good dog. I have put a little milk into your bowl, Nana.

(Nana wags her tail, runs to the medicine, and begins lapping it. Then she gives Mr.

Darling such a look, not an angry look: she shows him the great red tear that makes us

so sorry for noble dogs, and creeps into her kennel.)

MRS. DARLING

O George, it's your medicine!

MR. DARLING

It was only a joke!

(Mrs. Darling comforts her boys, while Wendy hugs Nana.)

MR. DARLING

Much good, my wearing myself to the bone trying to be funny in this house.

That's right, coddle her! Nobody coddles me. Oh dear no! I am only the

breadwinner, why should I be coddled - -why, why, why!

MRS. DARLING

George, not so loud; the servants will hear you.

MR. DARLING

Let them! Bring in the whole world. But I refuse to allow that dog to lord it in

my nursery for an hour longer.

CHILDREN

Father, no!

MR. DARLING

In vain, in vain! The proper place for you is the yard, and there you go to be tied

up this instant.

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MRS. DARLING

George, remember what I told you about that boy.

MR. DARLING

My mind is made up! There can be only one master in this house!

(Mr. Darling seizes Nana, and drags her from the nursery. We can hear Nana barking

as Mrs. Darling puts the children to bed.)

MICHAEL

Nana is unhappy! Listen to her bark…

JOHN

It is because he is chaining her up in the yard…

WENDY

That is not Nana's unhappy bark - that is her bark when she smells danger.

MRS. DARLING

Are you sure, Wendy?

WENDY Oh, yes.

(Mrs. Darling checks the window to make sure that it is securely fastened.)

MRS. DARLING

Oh, how I wish I wasn't going out to dinner tonight.

MICHAEL

Can anything harm us, mother, after the night-lights are lit?

MRS. DARLING

Nothing, precious - they are the eyes a mother leaves behind to guard her

children.

MICHAEL

Mother, I'm glad of you.

(Mrs. Darling kisses her children and gives a last look round the room - her hand

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on the light switch.)

MRS DARLING Dear night lights that protect my sleeping babes, burn clear and steadfast

tonight.

(Mrs. Darling turns the lights off and exits, leaving the night-lights twinkling over

the sleeping children).

SCENE 2 – Peter Looks for his Shadow

Three night lights are burning. Slowly they go out. There is an odd atmosphere in the

room. Then a light appears – very bright and very small. It darts and flits around the

nursery- searching for something. It goes in drawers, in the wardrobe, inside pockets of

dressing gowns etc. Suddenly the curtains billow and Peter Pan drops into the room.

PETER

(Whispers) Tinker Bell! Tink! Where are you? (The light darts around the room

again) Come out of that jug. Now where have they put it? (There’s a tinkle)

Which box? (Another tinkle) That big box over there? (He goes to the chest of

drawers) Got you!

(He takes out his shadow but he has to wrestle with it and tame it. He succeeds and sits

on the floor trying to attach it to himself. He tries to make it stick by using a bar of soap.

But it won’t fix. He starts to cry. Wendy wakes up and sits up in her bed and sees him.)

WENDY

Boy, why are you crying?

(Peter quickly stands up and courteously bows to her.)

PETER

What’s your name?

WENDY

Wendy Moira Angela Darling. What’s yours?

PETER

Peter Pan.

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WENDY

Is that all?

PETER

Yes.

WENDY

I’m so sorry.

PETER

It doesn’t matter.

WENDY

Where do you live?

PETER

Second to the right and straight on till morning.

WENDY

What a funny address.

PETER

No it isn’t.

WENDY

I mean is that what they put on your letters?

PETER

(contemptuously) Don’t get any letters.

WENDY

But your Mother gets letters?

PETER

Don’t have a mother.

WENDY

No wonder you were crying.

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PETER

I wasn’t crying about mothers. I was crying because I can’t get my shadow to stick

on. Besides, I wasn't crying.

WENDY

It’s come off?

PETER

Yes.

WENDY

That’s awful! Did you try to stick it on with soap? How exactly like a boy! It

must be sewn back on.

PETER

What’s sewn?

WENDY

I’ll do it for you. (She fetches a sewing kit) But it might hurt a little.

PETER

I never cry.

(Wendy sews the shadow on to Peter. Peter leaps to his feet and jumps about in the

wildest glee.)

PETER

How clever I am!

WENDY

Of course, I did nothing.

PETER

You did a little.

WENDY

A little!

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(Wendy jumps into bed and covers her face with the sheet. Peter follows her.)

PETER

Wendy, don’t go away. I can’t help crowing when I’m pleased with myself.

Wendy? Wendy, one girl is more useful than twenty boys.

Wendy peeps out of the bed

WENDY

Do you really think so, Peter?

PETER

I do.

WENDY

That’s perfectly sweet of you. I’ll get up again.

(Wendy gets up. She and Peter are sitting side by side on the bed.)

WENDY

I'll give you a kiss, if you like.

PETER

What’s that?

WENDY

Surely you know what a kiss is?

PETER

I’ll know it when you give it to me.

(She goes to kiss him and sees his innocence and so gives Peter a thimble instead.)

PETER

Now will I give you a kiss?

WENDY

Yes please.

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(Wendy leans primly forward to him. Peter removes an acorn button from his jacket

and drops it in her hand. She slowly leans back.)

WENDY

I shall wear this kiss around my neck (She places it on her chain) Peter, how old are

you?

PETER

(Uneasily) I don’t know. But I’m quite young. I ran away the day I was born.

WENDY

You ran away?

PETER

I heard my parents talking about what I was to be when I became a man.

(Passionately) I want to be a little boy forever and have fun. So I ran away from

home and lived a long time among the fairies.

WENDY

(With admiration) Oh, Peter, tell me everything about fairies.

PETER

You see, Wendy, when the first baby laughed for the first time, its laugh broke

into a thousand pieces, and they all went skipping about, and that was the

beginning of fairies. So there ought to be one fairy for every boy and girl.

WENDY

Ought to be? Isn't there?

PETER

No. You see, children know such a lot now, they soon don’t believe in fairies.

And every time a child says, ‘I don’t believe in fairies,’ there’s a fairy

somewhere that falls down dead. (He gets up quickly) I can’t think where’s

she’s gone to. (Calling) Tinker Bell! Come out you naughty fairy.

WENDY

(Thrilled) Peter, are you saying there’s one in my room?

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PETER

She was here just now. You don’t hear her do you?

(They both listen and hear a faint sound)

WENDY

All I can hear is a tinkle of bells.

PETER

That’s Tink. That's the fairy language. I think I hear her, too. Tink!

(Peter tries to find the source of the noise. He comes to the chest of drawers. He starts

to laugh.)

PETER

Wendy, I’ve shut her in the drawer.

(Peter opens the drawer and a light flies about in a fury making all sorts of ugly noises.)

PETER

Of course I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were in there.

WENDY

Oh Peter, can you get her to stand still? I’d love to see her.

PETER

They hardly ever stand still.

WENDY

Where is she?

PETER

Look. There.

(Tinker Bell rests for a moment and Wendy looks closely at her.)

WENDY

Oh how lovely!

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PETER

Tink, this lady wishes you were her fairy.

(Tinker Bell answers)

WENDY

What did she say?

PETER

She's not very polite. She says you are a great ugly girl, and that she’s my fairy.

(To Tink) Tink, I’m a gentleman and you’re a lady so you can’t be my fairy.

(Tinker Bell responds.)

WENDY

What did she say now?

PETER

You silly ass.

(Tinker Bell flies off.)

PETER

She’s quite common. (Apologizing) She’s called Tinker Bell because she mends

the pots and kettles.

WENDY

So where do you live now?

PETER

With the Lost Boys.

WENDY

And who are they?

PETER

They are the children who fall out of their carriages when no one’s looking.

If they’re not claimed in seven days, they find themselves in Neverland. I’m

Captain.

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WENDY

You must have so much fun.

PETER

Yes - it’s great fun. But we’re so lonely. You see, we have no female

companionship.

WENDY

No girls?

PETER

Oh no – girls are far too clever to fall out of their carriages.

WENDY

It’s so sweet the way you talk about girls, Peter. John there hates us.

(Peter goes to John asleep in his bed, looks at him then tips him out onto the floor. He

remains asleep.)

WENDY

Hey! You might be captain in Neverland but not in this house.

(Wendy sees that John is still asleep.)

WENDY

I know you meant to be kind, so I’ll let you give me a kiss.

PETER

I thought you’d want it back (He gives her the thimble)

WENDY

Oh dear. I don’t mean a kiss, I mean a thimble.

PETER

What’s that?

WENDY

It’s like this.

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(Wendy goes to give Peter a kiss. Suddenly Wendy screams.)

PETER

What is it?

WENDY

Someone pulled my hair.

PETER

Tink! I’ve never seen her so badly behaved before.

(Tinker Bell is darting around furiously.)

PETER

What? She says she’s going to do that to you every time I give you a thimble.

WENDY

But why?

PETER

Why, Tink?

(Tinker Bell answers.)

PETER

She says ‘You silly ass’.

WENDY

She’s very rude. Peter, why did you come to our nursery window?

PETER

To listen to the stories. We don’t know any.

WENDY

How perfectly awful!

PETER

Do you know why swallows build in the eaves of houses? It is to listen to the

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stories. Oh, Wendy, your mother was telling you such a lovely story.

WENDY

Which one?

PETER

About the prince who couldn’t find the lady who wore the glass slipper.

WENDY

Peter, that was Cinderella.

PETER

What happened?

WENDY

He found her, and they lived happily ever after.

(Peter gets up and rushes to the window.)

WENDY

Where are you going?

PETER

To tell the other boys.

WENDY

Don’t go Peter. I know lots of other stories. I could tell you and the boys so

many of them.

(Peter grabs her.)

WENDY

What are you doing?

PETER

Wendy, come and fly with me.

WENDY

Fly?

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PETER

Fly with me and tell the other boys.

WENDY

Oh dear. I can’t. What about mother. Besides I can’t fly.

PETER

I’ll teach you.

WENDY

To fly?

PETER

I’ll teach you to jump on the wind’s back and away we’ll go.

WENDY

Oh!

PETER

Wendy, just think - when you’re sleeping in your bed, you could be out flying

with me instead, touching the stars.

WENDY

Oh!

PETER

And Wendy - there are mermaids.

WENDY

Mermaids? I’ve never seen a mermaid.

PETER

Wendy, how we would all respect you. You could tuck us in at night. None

of us have ever been tucked in at night. And tell us stories.

WENDY

Peter, would you teach John and Michael to fly, too?

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PETER

If you like.

WENDY

(To Michael and John) Wake up! Wake up. Peter Pan is here and he’s going to

teach us to fly.

JOHN

What? Is he? Then I’ll get up. Oh I am up.

The storyteller playing Nana barks – it is very urgent - scared.

PETER PAN

Quickly!

WENDY

It's all right. She's chained up in the yard.

JOHN

Can you really fly?

PETER

Of course I can. (He flies.)

WENDY

How sweet!

PETER

Yes, I am sweet!

JOHN

So how do you do it?

PETER

You just think lovely wonderful thoughts and they lift you up into the air. But

first you need some fairy dust. (He sprinkles some dust on the children). Now

let your minds go free - see those wonderful things and let go…

Michael flies.

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MICHAEL

I flewed! I flewed!

JOHN

It’s so exciting!

PETER

Now quickly, come to the window. (They do) Look at the stars – they’re calling

to us, the moon will guide us to the fairies and mermaids…

JOHN

Fairies? I don’t think we should go.

PETER PAN

And pirates.

JOHN

Pirates? Wendy, let’s go now!

WENDY

Yes, let’s go Peter.

PETER

Then come!

(Wendy, Peter, John and Michael are at the window and suddenly they fly away

into the night. Mrs. Darling comes running into the nursery – out of breath.)

MRS DARLING

My children!

(The storytellers run into the space. During the following, the storytellers change the

space quickly. The large window curtains disappear and the sheets of the bed fly into

the air. Peter, Wendy, John and Michael travel to Neverland. They slowly approach it –

it is a land of shadow.)

ENSEMBLE

Of all delectable islands, the Neverland is the snuggest and most compact,

not large and sprawly, you know, with tedious distances between one

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adventure and another, but nicely crammed. When you play at it by day

with chairs and tablecloth, it is not in the least alarming, but in the two

minutes before you go to sleep it becomes very real. That is why there are

night-lights. On these magic shores, children at play are for ever beaching

their little boats. We too have been there; we can still hear the sound of the

surf, though we shall land no more.

Scene 3 – The Pirates Arrive and the Boys Shoot Wendy.

The actors start singing - they are playing at being pirates.

PIRATES

Yo-ho, yo-ho, the

pirate life The flag

o’ skull and bones,

a merry hour, a

hempen rope And

hey for Davy Jones.

Avast belay, you-ho, heave to

A-pirating we go,

And if we’re parted by a shot

We’re sure to meet below!

(Their playing and singing seems to conjure up shadow silhouettes of pirates - a motley

crew of dastardly villains: Cecco, Bill Jukes, Gentleman Starkey, Noodler, Mullins,

Alfie and Smee. We suddenly see a large silhouette of an iron hook – very close. This

scatters the pirates. At the end of the hook is revealed an arm and its owner Captain

James Hook. His hair is black and curly, his face handsome, threatening and his eyes -

pure evil. One at a time, the pirates return. Alfie clumsily bumps into Captain Hook.)

ALFIE

Sorry Captain.

(The crew takes a sharp intake of breath. Captain Hook says nothing. His hook shoots

forth. There is a tearing sound and one screech. Two red spots appear in Capt Hook’s

eyes. Alfie falls to the floor and his body is kicked aside.

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A new face is seen – it is a Lost Boy. Gentleman Starkey sees him and quickly draws a

pistol and aims. Capt Hook swiftly grips his shoulder with his hook.)

STARKEY

Captain, let go.

HOOK

(Threateningly) Put back that pistol.

STARKEY

But it was one of those lost boys you hate. I could have shot him dead.

HOOK

Aye, and the sound would have brought Tiger Lily and her redskins upon

us. Do you want to lose your scalp?

SMEE

Shall I after him Captain and tickle him with Johnny Corkscrew (he

brandishes his cutlass and wriggles it around) Johnny’s a silent fellow.

HOOK

Not now, Smee. He is only one, and I want to mischief them all. Look for them –

scatter!

(Suddenly the Pirates have scattered among the trees. Smee and Hook are alone.)

HOOK

(A heavy sigh) Most of all, I want their captain, Peter Pan. ‘Twas he who cut off my

arm. (Presenting the hook) I’ve waited long to shake his hand with this. Oh, I’ll tear

him to shreds.

SMEE

And yet I’ve often heard you say that your hook is worth a score of hands - for

combing your hair, and for chores around the house.

HOOK

(Looking at his hook and hand) Aye, if I was a mother I would pray to have my

children born with this instead of that. That boy Pan flung my arm to a

crocodile.

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SMEE

Yes, I have often noticed your strange dread of crocodiles.

HOOK

Not of crocodiles but of that one crocodile. It liked my arm so much Smee, that

it has followed me ever since, licking its lips for the rest of me.

SMEE

I guess in a way, it’s a sort of compliment.

HOOK

I want no such compliments. I want Peter Pan, who first gave this brute its taste

for me.

(There is a large mushroom on the forest floor. Capt Hook sits on it.)

HOOK

Smee. That crocodile would have had me before this, but by a lucky chance it

swallowed a clock that goes tick tick inside it and so before it can reach me I

hear the tick and bolt for it. Someday, Smee, the clock will run down.

SMEE

And then he’ll get you.

HOOK

Aye that’s the fear that haunts me. (Aware his bottom is getting hot) Smee,

this seat is hot. Odds, bobs, hammer and tongs, I’m burning.

(They examine the mushroom. They pull at it and it comes away in their hands. Smoke

begins to rise from it.)

SMEE

A chimney!

(We hear children’s voices – chattering. Hook and Smee quietly replace the mushroom.)

HOOK

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I do believe we’ve stumbled upon a jolly jackpot!

SMEE

The boy’s home. (Excited) And did you hear them say Peter Pan’s away.

(Silence. Hook nods. Then a smile comes across his face.)

SMEE

Unrip your plan, captain.

HOOK

(Through gritted, smiling teeth) Did you hear a mother’s voice down there? No.

Of course, why didn’t I think of this before. We will return to the ship and cook

a large rich cake of jolly thickness with green sugar on it. We will leave the cake

on the shore of the mermaids’ lagoon. These boys are always swimming about

there, playing with the mermaids. They will find the cake and they will gobble it

up, because, having no mother, they don’t know how dangerous ‘tis to eat rich

damp cake. (He laughs) Aha, they will die.

SMEE

It’s the wickedest, prettiest policy ever I heard of.

(They dance and sing)

SMEE/HOOK

Avast, belay, when I appear

By fear they’re overtook:

Naught’s left upon your bones when you

Have shaken claws with Hook.

(Their celebration is interrupted. A quiet sound is heard - tick, tick, tick, tick.

Hook stands shuddering, one foot in the air mid dance.)

HOOK

The crocodile!

(Hook and Smee run for it. We then see a huge, oversized silhouette of a crocodile ooze

into view which follows them off.

29

Then from a hole in a tree a Lost Boy emerges. It is Slightly. He looks around to see if

it is safe. Another boy emerges – Tootles. Then another – Curly. Then more – The

Twins.)

TOOTLES

Any pirates?

SLIGHTLY

No. It’s all safe.

TOOTLES

Any sign of Peter?

SLIGHTLY

No, Tootles.

TOOTLES

I do wish he’d come back

SLIGHTLY

Yes. I wish he’d come back and tell us whether he has heard anything

more about Cinderella.

CURLY

I’m sure my mother must have been like her.

TOOTLES

All I remember about my mother is that she often said to father, ‘Oh how I wish

I had a cheque-book of my own.’ I don’t know what a cheque-book is but I

would love to be able to give my mother one.

(Nibs – another Lost Boy enters running.)

NIBS

(Breathless) Save me! Save me! Wolves are coming after me!

TOOTLES

(Panicking) What can we do?

30

CURLY

What would Peter do?

SLIGHTLY

Peter would look at them through his legs

TOOTLES

Then let us do what Peter would do.

(The boys look through their legs and with a whimper the wolves run away.)

SLIGHTLY

Aye. That’s the way to deal with wolves.

(The boys continue as if nothing happened.)

NIBS

But I have seen a wonderfuller thing. A great white bird – flying this way.

CURLY

What kind of bird?

NIBS

I don’t know but it looks so tired, and as it flies it moans, ‘Poor Wendy’.

TOOTLES

Poor Wendy?

SLIGHTLY

I remember. There are birds called Wendys.

CURLY

(Pointing) See it comes.

(Wendy appears. She is calm and peaceful. Suddenly Tink enters.)

TOOTLES

Hello Tink. (Tinker bell speaks) You want us to shoot the Wendy. Peter says to

shoot it?

31

SLIGHTLY

Then let us do what Peter wants.

NIBS

Quick Tootles, quick. You’re bow and arrow.

TOOTLES

Out of the way, Tink.

(Tootles fits the arrow to his bow. He fires and hits Wendy, as she flutters to the

ground with an arrow in her heart.)

TOOTLES

I have shot the Wendy. Peter will be so pleased with me.

(Tinker bell starts to laugh and says, ‘Silly Ass’ and quickly hides. The boys crowd

around Wendy to look.)

SLIGHTLY

This isn’t a bird. I think it’s a lady.

TOOTLES

A lady?

NIBS

And we’ve killed her.

CURLY

Now I see. Peter was bringing her to us.

TWINS

At last a lady to take care of us and you’ve killed her.

(Tootles step towards the boys but they shun him.)

TOOTLES

I did it. Friends, in all these years I have thought of ladies with loving respect

and when they came to me in dreams I said ‘Pretty Mother’. But when at last

32

a lady came, I shot her. Oh, now may my mother never again come to me,

even in my dreams, lest in her heart I see an arrow which I have fired.

Friends, goodbye. (He goes to leave)

CURLY

Don’t go.

TOOTLES

I must. I am so afraid of Peter.

(Suddenly there is a crowing sound – it is Peter.)

BOYS

Peter!

CURLY

Hide her.

(All the boys gather around Wendy – except Tootles. Peter enters.)

PETER

Greetings, boys! (The boys salute) I am back. Why don’t you cheer?

(The boys open their mouths but nothing comes out.)

PETER

Great news, boys. At last, I’ve brought a mother for you all. Have you seen her?

She flew this way.

NIBS

Oh dear.

TOOTLES

Peter. Let me show her to you. Stand back – let Peter see.

(The boys stand back Peters stares. Silence.)

PETER

33

She’s dead. Perhaps she’s frightened at being dead. (He plucks the arrow from

her. Then sternly) Whose arrow is this?

TOOTLES

Mine Peter.

(Peter raises the arrow to strike Tootles as if it were a dagger.)

TOOTLES

Strike, Peter. Strike true.

(Peter struggles with striking Tootles. Before he backs down, Wendy gently stirs,

grabbing Peter’s arm, preventing him from striking.)

NIBS

Look! The Wendy lady – see her arm. (He kneels over her - listening) She

said something. I think she said, ‘Poor Tootles’

PETER

She lives.

NIBS

The Wendy lady lives.

(Peter examines Wendy and the chain around her neck.)

PETER

See. The arrow struck against this. It’s the kiss I gave her. It’s saved her life.

SLIGHTLY

I remember kisses. Let me see it. Aye, that’s a kiss.

(Tinker Bell has returned and is now crying)

CURLY

Listen to Tink. She’s crying because the Wendy lives.

PETER

34

Crying because she lives?

CURLY

It was Tink who told us to shoot the Wendy.

TWINS

She said it was your orders.

PETER

Tinker Bell, is this true?

(Tinker Bell confesses.)

PETER

Then I am your friend no more. Begone from me forever.

(Tinker Bell flies to Peter’s shoulder and pleads with him. Wendy again raises her arm,

and Peter relents.)

PETER

Well, not forever, but for a whole week.

(Tinker Bell retreats unhappily.)

TWINS

So what do we do with the Wendy lady?

CURLY

Let us carry her down into the house.

SLIGHTLY

Indeed. That is what you do with ladies.

PETER

No. You must not touch her. It would not be very respectful.

SLIGHTLY

Exactly. That’s what I was thinking.

35

TOOTLES

But if she lies here, she will die.

SLIGHTLY

Aye, she will die. There’s no way out.

PETER

Yes there is. Let us build a little house around her. (The boys are pleased with

this idea) Quick. Each of you bring me the best of what you can find. Be sharp.

(John and Michael enter - both a little confused and bedraggled.)

JOHN

We’re here. There you are, Peter - We thought we’d lost you. Is this the place?

PETER PAN

(As if he’s forgotten all about him) Mmm…. Yes.

MICHAEL

Where’s Wendy? (Peter points) Is she sleeping?

PETER

Curly. See that this boy helps with the building of the house.

CURLY

Aye, aye, Sir.

JOHN

Build a house?

CURLY

For the Wendy.

JOHN

But she’s only a girl.

CURLY

And that is why we are her servants.

36

JOHN

You? Wendy’s servants?

PETER PAN

Yes, and you too.

(Curly leads John and Michael to work with the other boys building a house. They

measure Wendy to see that she’ll fit in the house.)

SLIGHTLY

Ah yes, this is how a house is built – it’s all coming back to me.

PETER

Slightly – fetch a doctor.

SLIGHTLY

Aye aye (He walks away, takes John's hat, then returns after a moment)

PETER

Please sir, are you a doctor?

SLIGHTLY

Yes, my man.

PETER

A lady lies very ill.

SLIGHTLY

(Standing over Wendy) Tut, tut, tut. Where does she lie?

PETER

In yonder glade.

SLIGHTLY

I will put a glass thing in her mouth.

(He does so and there’s an anxious moment of waiting for the result.)

PETER

37

How is she?

SLIGHTLY

Tut, tut, tut. This has cured her.

PETER

I’m so glad.

SLIGHTLY

I’ll call again in the evening. Give her beef tea out of a cup with a spout.

(He returns the hat to John and immediately hyperventilates with fear and relief.)

CURLY

If only we knew the kind of house she likes best.

PETER

Look! She’s moving in her sleep.

NIBS

Her mouth’s opening.

PETER

Sing the kind of house you would like to have.

WENDY

(Singing) I wish I had a

pretty house The littlest

ever seen,

With funny little

red walls And a

roof of mossy

green.

BOYS

(Singing) We’ve built the walls

and roof And made a lovely

door

So tell us mother

38

Wendy, What are

you wanting more?

WENDY

Oh, really, next I think I’ll have

Gay windows all about

With roses peeping in, you know

And babies peeping out

(The Boys quickly make the windows and curtains.)

PETER

(Sternly) Roses!

(The boys make-believe the loveliest roses growing up the wall.)

TOOTLES

Babies?

BOYS

(Singing) We’ve made the roses

peeping out The babies are at the

door,

We cannot make ourselves,

you know, Cos we’ve been

made before.

(The house is nearly completed around about Wendy. Peter examines the nearly-

finished product.)

PETER

There’s no knocker at the door.

(Tootles gives the sole of his shoe)

PETER

And there’s no chimney. We must have a chimney.

(Peter takes John's hat and punches a hole through its top and puts it on the roof.

39

Smoke immediately comes out.)

PETER

Now look your best everybody. First impressions are very important.

(Peter politely knocks on the door of the house. Pause. The door opens and Wendy

comes out. The boys take off their hats.)

WENDY

Where am I?

SLIGHTLY

Wendy lady, for you we built this house.

NIBS

Oh say you’re pleased.

WENDY

What a lovely, darling house

TWINS

And we are your children.

BOYS

Oh Wendy lady, please be our mother.

WENDY

My goodness! Oh... But I’m only a little girl. I have no real experience.

PETER

That doesn’t matter. What we need is a nice motherly person.

WENDY

Oh dear! You see I fear that is exactly what I am.

SLIGHTLY

It is!

NIBS

40

It is!

BOYS

We saw it at once.

WENDY

Very well, I’ll do my best. (in a motherly manner) Get inside at once, you

naughty children. I am sure your feet are damp. And before I put you to bed I

have just enough time to finish the story of Cinderella.

(The boys all enter the house. We see inside the house – a bright light shining through

the window and the chimney smoking beautifully. Meanwhile outside, Peter keeps

watch, sword drawn. We see in the woods around the house – wolves eyes, we hear

pirates carousing far away.)

Scene 4 - The Mermaids Lagoon

ENSEMBLE

Shut your eyes, and if you are a lucky one, you may see at times a shapeless pool

of lovely pale colors suspended in the darkness; then if you squeeze your eyes

tighter, the pool begins to take shape, and the colors become so vivid that with

another squeeze they must go on fire. But just before they go on fire you see the

lagoon. This is the nearest you ever get to it on the mainland, just one heavenly

moment; if there could be two moments you might see the surf and hear the

mermaids singing.

The moon is in the sky and strange wailing cries can be heard. We see a large rock in

the middle of the lagoon – Marooner’s Rock. It is not much larger than a great bed.

Wendy, Peter, John, Michael and The Boys are on it. The boys are playing follow the

leader. Wendy is leaning into the water. Suddenly a mermaid glides out of the water

and with a flick of her tail splashes Wendy.

WENDY

There’s one. She’s so beautiful. I nearly touched her.

PETER

It’s very famous here you know. Marooner’s Rock. It’s where sailors are left by

their evil captains. They’re tied up, and as the sea rises, the rock gets covered in

water and then they drown – slowly and painfully.

41

SLIGHTLY

Dear mother, may I please have another swim?

WENDY

Now Slightly, you know it is my duty as your mother to ensure that you rest for

half an hour after your mid-day meal.

MICHAEL

You never let us swim when we want to, Mother.

WENDY

Michael, surely you know that I'm not your real mother?

MICHAEL

Then who is?

JOHN

I daresay I once knew your real mother, Michael.

WENDY

Oh, dear. John. Michael. I do think it is time for another examination.

NIBS

Oh, this awfully interesting.

WENDY

Question 1: What was the color of Mother's eyes? Question 2: Which was taller,

Father or Mother? Question 3: Was Mother blonde or brunette? Answer all

three questions if possible.

JOHN

What do I do if I can't answer one the questions?

WENDY

If you must, just make a cross. Now, for the essay question: Write an essay of

not less than 40 words on How I Spent my Last Holidays, or the Characters of

Father and Mother compared. Only one of these to be attempted.

42

(Peter quickly stands alert. Motionless. One hand to his ear. He looks across the

lagoon.)

PETER

Pirates!

(They all quickly hide but watching. A boat draws near – it is a dinghy with Smee,

Starkey and Tiger Lily. Though Tiger Lily is tied up – her face is impassive. They

haven’t seen the rock and crash into it.)

SMEE

Luff, you lubber, here’s the rock. Now then, what we have to do is to hoist the

redskin on to it, and leave her here to drown.

STARKEY

This is your prize Tiger Lily – for sneaking around our ship with a knife in your

mouth.

TIGER LILY

I am the daughter of Great Big Little Panther. I live the life of a Chief’s

Daughter. I die the life of a Chief’s Daughter.

SMEE

(Pause) Fair enough. Put her on the rock, Mr. Starkey. (He lifts her from the

boat)

STARKEY

Not so rough, Smee. Roughish. But not so rough. We must never forget our

manners.

SMEE

But the captain ordered it.

WENDY

(Out loud) Poor Tiger Lily!

STARKEY

Did you hear something?

43

PETER

(Imitating Hook) Ahoy there you lubbers!

SMEE

The captain.

STARKEY

He must be swimming out to us.

SMEE

(Calling out to sea) We’re just putting the Indian girl on the rock as you

commanded.

PETER

Set her free.

SMEE

Free!?

PETER

Yes, cut the ropes and let her go.

SMEE

But captain...

PETER

At once, do you hear me? Or I’ll plunge my hook in you.

SMEE

This is queer.

STARKEY

(Nervously) Better do what the captain says.

SMEE

Aye, aye.

(He cuts the ropes and Tiger Lily slips into the water. Wendy and Peter are delighted

44

with this plan. Peter begins to crow with pride. Wendy quickly covers his mouth.

Another voice is heard in the lagoon – it is Hook.)

HOOK

Boat ahoy! Boat ahoy!

Captain Hook arrives on Marooners’ Rock.

SMEE

Captain, is everything alright?

(Hook moans.)

SMEE

He sighs.

(Hook moans.)

STARKEY

He sighs again.

(Hook moans.)

SMEE

And now a third time he sighs. What’s up, captain?

HOOK

The game’s up. Those boys have found a mother.

STARKEY

Oh evil day!

HOOK

I placed the poisoned cake in one cunning spot after another; but always the

mother snatches it from the hands of her children, so that in time it has lost its

succulence, and has become as hard as a stone.

SMEE

What’s a mother?

45

WENDY

He doesn’t know!

(Peter quickly pulls her down and covers her mouth.)

HOOK

What was that?

(The pirates peer into the gloom with their lanterns.)

STARKEY

I heard nothing.

(There floating across the water is a nest with a Never Bird sitting on it.)

HOOK

Look, Smee – that is a mother. See that nest - it must have fallen into the water but

would the mother desert her eggs? No! (He looks sad for a moment and brushes it

away with his hook)

SMEE

Captain, could we not kidnap the boys’ mother and make her our mother?

HOOK

What a princely scheme! We will seize the children and carry them to the boat.

The boys we will make walk the plank and Wendy shall be our mother.

WENDY

Never!

HOOK

What was that?

(They look again out to the lagoon but see nothing.)

SMEE

Must have been a leaf in the wind.

46

HOOK

Do you agree, my bullies?

SMEE

There is my hand on it.

STARKEY

And mine.

HOOK

And there is my hook. Swear.

SMEE/STARKEY

(Frightened) We swear.

HOOK

Good. Now where is the redskin?

SMEE

It’s alright captain, we let her go.

HOOK

Let her go!

SMEE

‘Twas your own orders.

STARKEY

You called over the water to us to let her go.

HOOK

Brimstone and gall, what cozening is here? Lads, I gave no such orders.

SMEE

It is passing queer.

HOOK

Spirit that haunts this dark lagoon tonight, do you hear me?

47

PETER

(Mimicking Hook) Odds, bobs, hammer and tongs, I hear you.

(Smee and Starkey cling to each other in terror. Hook stands stoically.)

HOOK

Who are you, stranger? Speak.

PETER

I am James Hook, captain of the Jolly Roger

HOOK

You are not!

PETER

Brimstone and gall! Say that again and I’ll cast anchor in you.

HOOK

(Almost humbly) If you are Hook, come tell me, who am I?

PETER

A codfish. Only a codfish.

HOOK

A codfish!

SMEE

Have we been captained all this time by a codfish?

STARKEY

It is lowering to the pride.

HOOK

(Whispering) Don’t desert me bullies. Have you another voice?

PETER

I have.

48

HOOK

And another name?

PETER

Aye.

HOOK

Vegetable?

PETER

No.

HOOK

Mineral?

PETER

No.

HOOK

Animal?

PETER

Yes.

HOOK

Man?

PETER

No!

HOOK

Boy?

PETER

Yes.

HOOK

Ordinary boy?

49

PETER

No!

HOOK

Wonderful boy?

PETER

Yes!

HOOK

Are you in England?

PETER

No.

HOOK

Are you here?

PETER

Yes.

(Hook is puzzled and under pressure.)

HOOK

(To Smee) You ask him some questions.

SMEE

I can’t think of anything.

PETER

Do you give up?

HOOK

Yes, yes.

PETER

I am Peter Pan.

50

HOOK

Pan! Now we have him. Into the water Smee. Starkey, mind the boat. Take him

dead or alive.

PETER

Are you ready boys? Charge!

(Suddenly the Lost Boys appear from all about the lagoon. There is a fight with the

pirates. Peter fights with Hook. Hook slips down the rock. Peter gives Hook a helping

hand but Hook bites him. In the confusion of the fight, Wendy and Peter get separated

from the boys. Then there is a tick, tick and Hook, in terror, stops in is his tracks. The

crocodile appears and Hook runs for it, pursued by the beast, the pirates following after

their captain. The Boys cheer then they notice that Peter and Wendy are missing.)

NIBS

(Calling) Peter! Wendy!

(There is no reply.)

SLIGHTLY

They must have swam back.

CURLY

Or flew. Come on, let’s go home.

(They climb into the dinghy boat left by the pirates and sail off. Their voices are heard

going into the distance.

The boys laugh more as they disappear. Two figures suddenly drag themselves into

view. They are both exhausted. The water is rising around the rock.)

PETER

Wendy, the tide is coming in. Soon the water will be over the rock.

WENDY

Then we have to go.

PETER

Yes.

51

WENDY

Shall we swim or fly Peter?

PETER

Do you think you could swim or fly as far as the island, without my help?

WENDY

I’m too tired Peter.

(Peter moans.)

WENDY

What is it?

PETER

Hook has wounded me. I can neither fly nor swim. Wendy, I can’t help you.

WENDY

Do you mean we’re going to drown?

PETER

Look at the water rising.

(The two watch the water level increase. They look at each other unsure of their

fate. A kite, flying high comes slowly into view.)

WENDY

What are we going to do Peter? Look – Michael’s kite!

PETER

It lifted him off the ground, it could also lift you.

WENDY

Both of us.

PETER

It’ll never lift two – Curly and Nibs tried.

52

(Peter quickly ties the tail of the kite around Wendy.)

WENDY

Stop Peter. This isn’t fair. Let’s draw straws to see who goes.

PETER

And you a lady? Never.

WENDY

(Clinging to him) But Peter....

PETER

(Pushing her from the rock) Goodbye Wendy.

(The kite lifts Wendy into the air and carries her off out of the lagoon. Peter is alone.

The water continues to rise up the rock. The mermaids start calling to the moon. Peter

is afraid at last. He seems unsure what to do. He climbs further up the rock. Then a

smile goes across his face.)

PETER

To die will be an awfully big adventure.

***(Possible break for intermission.)***

The Never Bird appears, striving with difficulty to paddle her nest over to the rock.

Peter and the Bird cannot understand each other's language.

BIRD

Peter!

PETER

Hullo, Never Bird!

BIRD

I want you to get into the nest -

PETER

I'm sorry; I don't speak bird.

53

BIRD (as slowly and distinctly as possible:)

I - want - you - to - get - into - the - nest - and - then - you - can - drift - ashore, -

but - I - am - too - tired - to - bring - it - any - nearer - so - you - must - try - to -

swim - to - it.

PETER

What are you quacking about? Why don't you let the nest drift as usual?

BIRD (rolls her eyes and repeats herself)

I - want - you - to - get - into - the - nest -

PETER (as slowly and distinctly as possible)

What - are - you - quacking - about?

BIRD

You dunderheaded little jay! Why don't you do as I tell you?

PETER

So are you!

PETER / BIRD

Shut up!

(Nevertheless the bird is determined to save Peter if she can, and by one last mighty

effort she propels the nest against the rock. Then up she flies; deserting her eggs, so as

to make her meaning clear. Peter finally understands.)

PETER

Thank you, Never Bird!

(Peter lifts up two large white eggs, and reflects on them. He finds Starkey's hat on a

stave of the rock, removes the hat, puts the eggs into the hat, and sets it on the lagoon.

It floats beautifully. Peter then gets into the nest, rears the stave in it as a mast, and

hangs up his shirt for a sail. The Never Bird flutters down upon the hat and once more

sits snugly on her eggs. She drifts in one direction, and Peter in another, both crowing.)

ENSEMBLE

Of course Peter beached his new vessel in a place where the Never Bird would

easily find it; but the hat was such a great success that she abandoned the nest. It

54

drifted about till it went to pieces, and often the pirate Starkey came to the shore

of the lagoon, and with many bitter feelings, watched the bird sitting on his hat.

STARKEY

Accurséd bird!

ENSEMBLE

It might be worth mentioning here that all Never Birds now build their nests in

that shape, with a broad from on which youngsters take an airing.

Scene 5 - The Home Under the Ground

The boys are recounting their recent exploits at Marooner's Rock, still unaware of

the perils endured by Peter and Wendy.

NIBS

Did you see me in the thick of the fight?

TWIN 1

No.

TWIN 2

We were quite busy fighting ourselves.

TWIN 1

Fighting valiantly.

JOHN

I should like to point out that I was first to draw blood, having bravely

boarded the pirate dinghy to struggle fiercely with the dread Starkey.

TOOTLES

I got a taste of Johnny Corkscrew, right here! And I didn't cry!

CURLY

I pinked that Bo'sun Smee right back for you!

SLIGHTLY

55

I wish mother and father would hurry and get back here so we can tell them

everything.

(Wendy enters, exhausted and tied up in the kite string.)

BOYS

Mother!

WENDY

Oh, my dear children. How I worry for your father!

(The boys are thoroughly unaccustomed to worrying about Peter's welfare. And

before they can wrap their heads around such a concern, Peter makes a triumphal

entrance.)

PETER

Greetings, boys!

(The boys give three cheers for Peter.)

WENDY

Oh, Peter - how did you escape?

PETER

Escape from what?

WENDY

Why, certain death!

PETER

Who can remember that far back? Especially when I have such important

news: Tiger Lily has declared that since I saved her from some dreadful fate,

her tribe is now our friend and ally.

(The boys give another three cheers for Peter.)

WENDY

Peter, do you even remember what you did for Tiger Lily?

56

PETER

I'm sure I was terribly clever.

(The sound of the tom-tom.)

MICHAEL

What's that sound?

PETER

The Indians are on guard up above the house and want me to smoke the pipe

of peace.

WENDY

It's nearly suppertime…

PETER

Don't wait for me!

(It is time for the evening meal and they all gather around the table. The meal is a

make-believe meal. There is a lot of noise and squabbling.)

WENDY

Silence! Slightly, is your calabash empty?

SLIGHTLY

Not quite empty, Mummy.

NIBS

He hasn’t even begun to drink his milk.

SLIGHTLY

(Puts his arm in the air) I want to complain about Nibs.

(John raises his hand.)

WENDY

Yes, John?

JOHN

57

May I sit in Peter’s chair?

WENDY

Sit in father’s chair? Certainly not.

JOHN

He’s not really our father. He didn’t even know what a father does till I showed

him.

TWINS

(Puts their arms in the air) We want to complain about John.

TOOTLES

I don’t suppose I could be father?

ALL BOYS

No

TOOTLES

If you won’t let me be father, Michael can I be the baby?

MICHAEL

No that’s my job.

TOOTLES

Well, if you won’t let me be the baby do you think I could be a twin?

TWINS

It’s too difficult to be a twin.

TOOTLES

Would anyone like to see me do a trick?

ALL BOYS

No!

TOOTLES

There’s no hope for me.

58

CURLY

Slightly’s coughing at the table.

SLIGHTLY

The twins are eating the mamee-apples.

TWINS

Nibs is speaking with his mouth full.

WENDY

You know, sometimes I think spinsters are to be envied. Now tidy these

things away. Supper is over.

(The boys are set free and Wendy gets her sewing basket out.)

CURLY

Can we play bandages?

NIBS

Yes, can we play at limping about?

TWINS

And then put our arms in slings.

CURLY

Owwww!!! My arms falling off.

NIBS

(Walking with a limp) Quick someone fix me.

MICHAEL

Wendy, I’m too big to go in the cradle.

WENDY

Somebody has to be in the cradle – and you’re the littlest.

NIBS

Why won’t anyone operate on me?

59

WENDY

Children, I hear your father’s footsteps. Come on, you know he likes to meet you

at the door.

PETER

Hello boys!

BOYS

Hello Father!

PETER

Look, I have brought nuts for you all (He throws nuts around the room– the boys

chase after them and eat them)

WENDY

Peter, you spoil them.

PETER

Ah, old lady.

JOHN

It was me who told him mothers are called old lady.

CURLY

Father, we want to dance.

PETER

(Good humored) Dance away then little man.

CURLY

But we want you to dance.

PETER

(Pretending) Me! My old bones would rattle.

NIBS

And mummy too.

WENDY

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What? The mother of such an armful, dance?

SLIGHTLY

But it’s Saturday night.

WENDY

That’s true Peter.

PETER

Come on then, my lady.

(Peter and Wendy start to dance. The boys are delighted and start to cheer. They then

too join in, dancing around them. Suddenly Peter stops.)

WENDY

Peter, what is it?

PETER

(A little scared) Wendy. It is only make believe, this, that I’m their father, isn’t

it?

WENDY

But they are ours, Peter, yours and mine.

PETER

But not really?

WENDY

Not if you don’t wish it.

(Peter seems relieved.)

WENDY

Peter, what are your exact feelings for me?

PETER

Those of a devoted son, Wendy.

WENDY

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I thought so.

(Wendy goes and sits at the other side of the room.)

PETER

(Puzzled) You’re so strange - and Tiger Lily is just the same. There is

something she wants to be to me, but she says it’s not my mother.

WENDY

No it’s not.

PETER

Then what is it?

(Wendy doesn’t reply)

PETER

Very well. Perhaps Tinker Bell will tell me. Do you want to be my mother,

Tink?

(Tinker Bell replies with a ‘Silly Ass’.)

WENDY

(Almost snapping) I almost agree with her. Come on boys, it is time for bed now.

SLIGHTLY

Bed time?

NIBS

Now for the story you promised us.

WENDY

Well you’re not in bed yet, so there’s no story.

SLIGHTLY

I think you’ll find that I’m in bed.

CURLY

I want to complain about Slightly.

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WENDY

Quickly now settle down.

(The boys have all settled.)

WENDY

Listen then. There was once a gentleman...

TOOTLES

I wish it had been a lady.

NIBS

I wish it had been a white rat.

WENDY

Quiet. There was also a lady, and...

TWINS

She’s not dead is she?

WENDY

Oh no.

TOOTLES

I’m glad she’s not dead.

WENDY

The gentleman’s name was Mr. Darling, and her name was Mrs. Darling.

MICHAEL

I think I knew them.

WENDY

They were married you know. And what do you think they had?

NIBS

White rats?

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WENDY

No. They had three children. And these three children had a faithful dog

called Nana. But Mr. and Mrs. Darling went out for the evening and so the

children flew away.

NIBS

It’s a really good story.

WENDY

They flew away to the Neverland, where the lost boys are.

SLIGHTLY

I knew they did. I don’t know how but I just knew they did.

TOOTLES

Wendy, was one of the lost children called Tootles?

WENDY

Yes he was.

TOOTLES

I’m in a story. Nibs, I’m in story.

WENDY

Hush. Now I want you to think about the feelings of the parents with their

children flown away. Think of the empty beds.

TWINS

(Cheerfully) It’s terribly sad.

NIBS

I'm frightfully anxious.

WENDY

If you knew how great is a mother's love, you would have no fear.

TOOTLES

I do like a mother's love!

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WENDY

You see, our heroine knew that the mother would always leave the window

open for her children to fly back. So they stayed away for years and had a lovely

time.

TOOTLES

Did they ever go back?

WENDY

Let us now take a peep into the future… Years have rolled by, and who is this

elegant lady of uncertain age alighting at London Station. Can it be - yes - no -

it is - the fair Wendy!

BOYS

Oh!

WENDY

And who are the two noble portly figures accompanying her, now grown to

man's estate? Can they be John and Michael? They are!

BOYS

Oh!

WENDY

'See, dear brothers,' says Wendy pointing upwards, 'there is the window still

standing open. Ah, now we are rewarded for our sublime faith in a mother's

love.' So up they flew to their mummy and daddy, and pen cannot describe the

happy scene, over which we draw a veil.

(Peter groans.)

WENDY

What is it, Peter? Is it sore? Where does it hurt?

PETER

It isn’t that kind of pain.

WENDY

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Then what kind is it?

PETER

You are wrong about mothers.

(They all gather round him.)

PETER

Long ago I thought like you that my mother would always keep the window open

for me, so I stayed away for moons and moons and moons, and then flew back. But

the window was barred for mother had forgotten all about me and there was another

little boy sleeping in my bed.

WENDY

Mothers aren’t like that.

PETER

Yes they are.

MICHAEL

Let’s go home Wendy.

WENDY

Yes. Peter will you make the necessary arrangements?

PETER

(Coolly) If you wish.

(Peter exits to speak to the Indian tribe.)

SLIGHTLY

You can’t leave tonight.

WENDY

At once.

TWINS

We won’t let you go.

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NIBS

You’ll be our prisoner.

CURLY

Quick, chain her up.

WENDY

Tootles. Please.

TOOTLES

I am only Tootles and nobody listens to me. But the first person who does not

behave like a gentleman with Wendy will have me to deal with. (He draws his

dagger)

PETER

(re-entering) Wendy, I’ve asked the braves to guide you through the wood.

WENDY

Thank you, Peter. Dear ones, if you will all come with me I could persuade my

father and mother to adopt you.

TOOTLES

Can we go Peter, can we?

PETER

All right.

WENDY

And now Peter, I’m going to give you your medicine before you go.

PETER

I am not going with you Wendy.

WENDY

Get your things Peter.

PETER

No.

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WENDY

But Peter....

PETER

No. (He skips off and plays his pipes)

SLIGHTLY

Peter isn’t coming.

TOOTLES

But Peter, why won’t you come.

PETER

Because I want to stay here. I want to always be a little boy and have fun.

(The boys are uncertain as to what to do.)

PETER

(Cynically) If you do find your mothers I hope you like them.

(The boys are very doubtful)

PETER

Now then, no fuss and certainly no blubbering. Goodbye Wendy

(Peter puts out his hand. Wendy takes it. They shake hands.)

WENDY

Now you will take your medicine?

PETER

I’ll remember. Now off you go. The boys will look after you.

(Suddenly there is a huge battle sound. The Pirates have launched an attack on the

Indians who have been guarding the underground home.)

WENDY

What is that?

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PETER

It’s a pirate attack.

WENDY

On Tiger Lily and her tribe?

PETER

They’ll fight bravely.

(The battle sounds bloody and gruesome. Finally it is over and we see Hook smiling.)

PETER

It’s finished.

WENDY

But who won?

(Hook and Smee take the Indians’ tom-tom and slowly beat it.)

TOOTLES

The tom-tom!

PETER

The Indians have won. It’s their victory signal. They’ve won!

(The boys cheer.)

PETER

Wendy, you’re safe to leave now. Good-bye Boys. Good-bye Wendy.

WENDY

Good-bye Peter.

(The boys, Michael, John and Wendy leave the house, not knowing that Hook and the

Pirates lie in wait for them. One by one they are captured and trussed up. Except

Wendy. She comes face to face with Hook, who raises his hat and offers his arm. She

takes it and is then escorted by Hook. He signals to his crew and they all exit. Hook

doesn’t leave.)

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Scene 6 - Hook Enters the Underground Home

Pan is playing his pipes – proving to himself that he doesn’t care. He goes to his

medicine – looks at it, then disdainfully walks away from it. He climbs into bed. He

looks at the covers. He tucks himself in. Then untucks himself. He nearly cries. Stops

himself and begins to laugh. As he laughs he falls asleep.

Hook stealthily entered the underground home. It is dim and dark. In the darkness he

can make out Peter Pan lying on the bed fast asleep. Peter has an angelic smile on his

face.

HOOK

(Regretfully) Look at that smile...that infernal smile. (He looks away then

steeling himself) That cockiness. (He then removes a vial from around his

neck) Poison. (He turns to Peter) A delightful remedy - reserved to seal my

fate in times of trouble. And now a gift to you. (He pours five drops into

Peter’s medicine) Now drink, Peter Pan. Drink and die.

Hook tips his hat to Peter then exits into the black of night, muttering strangely to

himself. Peter sleeps on. Suddenly Tinkerbell enters and is flying around the room. She

immediately flies to Peter and wakes him with a start.

PETER

Who is it? What? (Tink tells her urgent story) What? The Indians beaten?

Wendy captured? By the pirates? Wendy! (He leaps for his dagger) I’ll rescue

her! (Tink has landed on his medicine). What? Oh, that’s just my medicine. (He

goes to take some. Tink gives a warning cry) Poisoned? Who could have

poisoned it? (Tink answers) Hook? Don’t be silly, Hook couldn’t have got in

here. No, Wendy gave it to me and I promised I’d take it. (He goes to drink and

as he does Tink drinks it quickly instead) Tink! How dare you! (He sees she is

quickly growing faint) Tink? Tinkerbell? It was poisoned. And you drank it. To

save me? Why Tink? Why? (She replies ‘you silly ass’) Oh Tink, are you dying?

Your light – it’s growing faint and if it goes out then... (Tink speaks very quietly

– Peter listens closely, he then turns to the audience)

She says...she says...that she could get well again if children believed in

fairies. Oh, children! All who might be dreaming of the Neverland - do you

believe in fairies? Say quick that you believe. If you believe then clap your

hands. (Peter waits for the audience response – as they clap, Tink’s light

becomes stronger, suddenly she is flying around the room). Thank you. Thank

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you everyone. (He pulls out his dagger) And now to rescue Wendy. It’s Hook

or me this time. Hook or me.

Scene 7 – On the Pirate Ship

ENSEMBLE

Behold the pirate brig The Jolly Roger - a rakish-looking craft, foul to the hull,

every beam in her detestable. Hook trod the deck in thought. It was as if Peter's

terrible oath had boarded the ship.

(It is night. The Jolly Roger lays low in the water. The crew are playing cards and dice

- some are drinking, some asleep. Smee is working at a sewing machine. Hook is

pacing the deck of the ship – he is talking with himself.)

HOOK

How still the night; nothing sounds alive. Now is the hour when children in their

homes are a-bed; their lips bright-browned with the good-night chocolate, and

their tongues drowsily searching for belated crumbs housed insecurely on their

shining cheeks. Compare them with the children on this boat about to walk the

plank. Split my infinitives, but ‘tis my hour of triumph! And yet some disky

spirit compels me now to make my dying speech, lest when dying there may be

no time for it. All mortals envy me, yet better perhaps for Hook to have had less

ambition! O fame, fame, thou glittering bauble, what if the very....

(Smee tears a piece of calico, making a ripping sound which Hook thinks is a sound

made by his garments.)

HOOK

No little children love me. I am told they play at Peter Pan, and that the

strongest always chooses to be Peter. They force the baby to be Hook. The

baby! That is where the canker gnaws. ‘Tis said they find Smee lovable.

Pathetic Smee, the Nonconformist pirate, a happy smile upon his face because

he thinks they fear him. How can I break the news to him that they find him

lovable….

The crew make some carousing, drunken noise of laughter.

HOOK

Quiet you scugs or I’ll cast anchor in you! Bring up the prisoners.

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Wendy, Michael, John and the boys are brought up from below deck

HOOK

(to Wendy) Now then, my beauty, you are to see your children walk the plank.

WENDY

Are they to die?

HOOK

They are. Unless of course you were to agree to become our mother.

WENDY

A pirate’s mother? Never.

HOOK

You’ll be our mother, or by the shine on my hook, you’ll walk the plank.

WENDY

I’d rather have no children at all. (She turns her back to him)

HOOK

Tie her up! Get the plank ready!

(Wendy is tied to the mast and the plank is put in place over the side of the ship. Hook

approaches Wendy menacingly – sneering through his clenched teeth. The pirate crew

begin to sing as they work.)

PIRATES

(Singing) Yo ho, yo ho the

frisky plank, You walks along

it so,

Till it goes down and you

goes down To Davy Jones

below!

(Suddenly, the sound of Tick Tock is heard. It is quite close. Everybody on the ship

hears it. They all look to where the sound is coming from, then they all look to Hook.

Hook stops in his tracks – quivering, he falls into a heap. Hook scrabbles on all fours

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along the deck trying to escape.)

HOOK

Hide me!

(The crew gathers round Hook, not looking at the approaching crocodile. Then,

suddenly Peter Pan leaps on deck – it is he who is making the Tick Tock – there is no

crocodile. He Ticks, then Tocks, then makes a sign to Wendy and the Boys to be quiet.

He Ticks some more, then quickly hides in a cabin.)

SMEE

It’s gone Captain. All is still again.

(Hook slowly emerges from the group surrounding him. He listens intently. Then

raises to full height.)

HOOK

Then here’s to Johnny Plank

PIRATES

(Singing) Yo ho, yo ho the

frisky plank, You walks along

it so,

Till it goes down and you

goes down To Davy Jones

below!

(Hook dances along an imaginary plank. He stops.)

HOOK

(To the Prisoners) Do you want a touch of the cat before you walk?

BOYS

No, no....

HOOK

Fetch that whip Jukes, it’s in the cabin.

JUKES

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Aye, aye Cap’n.

(Wendy and the Lost Boys are horrified – looking to each other. Jukes enters the cabin.)

PIRATES

Yo ho, yo ho, the

scratching cat, Its tails

are nine, you know,

And when they’re writ upon your back....

(There is a dreadful screech from inside the cabin. Then a crowing sound.)

SLIGHTLY

That’s one.

HOOK

What was that?

(Cecco enters the cabin. Then quickly comes out again.)

HOOK

What’s the matter with Bill Jukes, you dog?

CECCO

The matter with him is he’s dead, stabbed.

STARKEY

Bill Jukes dead!

HOOK

Stow that Starkey.

CECCO

The cabin’s as black as a pit but there is something terrible in there – the thing

you heard a crowing.

HOOK

Cecco – go back in there and fetch me out that doodle-do.

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CECCO

Please Captain. No, no...

HOOK

Did you say you would go?

(Cecco reluctantly enters the cabin. Everyone watches, listening. Suddenly there is a

blood-curdling scream. Then a crowing again.)

SLIGHTLY

Two.

HOOK

‘Sdeath and odds fish, who is to bring out that doodle-do?

STARKEY

(Under his breath) Not the fish that leads us.

HOOK

I think I heard you volunteer, Starkey

STARKEY

No by thunder!

HOOK

My hook thinks you did. I wonder if it would not be advisable, Starkey, to humor

the hook?

STARKEY

I’ll swing before I go in there.

HOOK

Is it mutiny? Starkey’s the ring-leader.

STARKEY

(Shaking) Captain, mercy!

HOOK

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Shake hands, Starkey. Shake hands with the hook.

Starkey jumps overboard with a long scream.

SLIGHTLY

Three.

HOOK

And now did any other gentleman say mutiny? I’ll bring out that doodle-do

myself.

Seizing a lantern, Hook speeds into the cabin. He comes out again.

HOOK

Something blew out my light.

MULLINS

Something?

NOODLER

What of Cecco?

HOOK

He’s as dead as Jukes.

NOODLER

The doodle-doo has killed them. The ship’s bewitched.

HOOK

Steady lads! I’ve had a notion. Open the cabin door and drive them in. Let them

fight the doodle-do for their lives. If they kill it, we’re so much the better; if it

kills them we’re none the worse.

PIRATES

(With huge relief) Aye, aye Cap’n!

(The pirates take the Lost Boys and push them towards the cabin. Wendy is left tied to

the mast. The Boys pretend to struggle and then are pushed inside. The door is closed

on them.)

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HOOK

Now listen. (They all place their ears to the door)

NOODLER

I can’t hear nothing Captain.

HOOK

Hold it.

NOODLER

Maybe the doodle-do has crowed its last.

HOOK

Steady lads – hold it steady.

(Meanwhile Peter sneaks out another way from the cabin. He approaches Wendy and

signals her to be quiet. Unties her – and sends her to hide. Peter takes her place under

her cloak at the mast – hidden. He crows.)

MULLINS

The doodle-do again. It’s killed them all.

HOOK

(Trying to retain control) Lads, I’ve thought it out. There’s a Jonah aboard.

NOODLER

Aye, a man with a hook.

HOOK

No lads, it’s the girl. Never was luck on a pirate ship with a woman on

board. We’ll right the ship when she’s gone.

MULLINS

It’s worth a try.

HOOK

Fling the girl overboard.

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(They rush to surround Wendy at the mast.)

MULLINS

There’s none can save you now, missy.

PETER

There is one.

HOOK

And who is that?

PETER

(Uncloaking himself) Peter Pan!

HOOK

Pan!!? Cleave him to the brisket.

PETER

Now boys, now!

(The boys charge and an almighty sword fight ensues between the pirates and the lost

boys and Wendy. The fight is hard and slowly the boys begin to win through trickery

and swiftness. Peter and Hook are facing each other.)

HOOK

So Pan, this is all your doing?

PETER

Aye, James Hook, it is all my doing.

HOOK

Proud and insolent youth, prepare to meet thy doom.

PETER

Dark and sinister man, have at thee.

(They fight. Peter is a superb swordsman and parries with dazzling rapidity but a short

reach. Hook is not quite so nimble on the wrist play and forces Peter back but to no

avail. He tries to thrust his hook at Peter, but Peter doubles under it and lunging

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fiercely, pierces Hook in the ribs. Hook drops his sword.)

BOYS

Now Peter. Now.

(Instead of following through and ending the battle, Peter invites his foe to pick up

his sword. Hook does so.)

HOOK

What fiend is fighting me? Pan, who and what are you?

PETER

I’m youth, I’m joy. I’m the little bird that has broken out of the egg.

(Peter rises into the air. Hook is in awe.)

HOOK

To it again.

(Their swords clash again. They go all over the ship – Peter flying at times, Hook

doing the most daring of stunts. But still Peter jags and pricks Hook.)

HOOK

Pan! You.... Infernal youth! I’ll fetch the powder keg.

(Hook quickly goes below deck to return with a smoking bomb and fuse. The boys

advance on Hook.)

HOOK

In one minute, the ship will be blown to pieces.

BOYS

Peter – quick.

HOOK

Back, back you pewling spawn! I’ll show you the road to dusty death. A

holocaust of children - there is something grand in the idea.

(Somehow, Hook is distracted and Peter and the Boys wrestle the bomb away from

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Hook. It is neutralized in some way. Hook desperately charges at the boys but they

easily evade him. He is breathing heavily – like an old man. We see him struggling for

breath. Then Tick Tock is heard. Hook looks to Peter. He knows he is defeated. The

ticking gets closer and we see the crocodile opening its mouth. Resigned, Hook steps

onto the bulwark. Peter raises slowly into the air. Hook slowly lowers himself into the

water and contently into the mouth of the waiting crocodile. The children cheer.)

MICHAEL

Wendy – it was here I killed a pirate.

WENDY

Oh my poor little brother. I’m sorry.

MICHAEL

No...it was great!

(We see the ship sail off into the distance – with Peter as Captain, pretending to be

Captain Hook with his own pretend claw.)

Scene 8 – The Return Home

Back home - the nursery. Mrs. Darling is asleep in a chair near the open window. Her

head moves restlessly. Her hand goes to her breast as if there’s a pain there.

ENSEMBLE

We must now return to that desolate home from which three of our characters

took heartless flight so long ago. If we had returned sooner to look with

sorrowful sympathy at Mrs. Darling, she would probably have cried:

MRS. DARLING

Don't be silly; what do I matter? Do go back and keep an eye on the children.

ENSEMBLE

So long as mothers are like this their children will take advantage of them…

Look at Mrs. Darling in her chair, where she has fallen asleep. Some like

Peter best, and some like Wendy best, but I like her best. Suppose, to make

her happy, we whisper to her in her sleep that the brats are coming back. They

are really within two miles of the window now, and flying strong, but all we

80

need whisper is that they are on the way. Let's!

She wakes with a start.

MRS. DARLING

Wendy? Michael? John? (She looks around) No one. Night after night I dream

of seeing them but when I open my eyes – they’re never here. If only we

hadn’t accepted the invitation to go out that night. I miss them so much.

(Mrs. Darling looks out of the window. She then sits back on her chair and starts to cry.

She slips into sleep. Suddenly we see Peter and Tinkerbell come in through the window.)

PETER

Quick Tink, close the window, bar it. That’s right. When Wendy comes she’ll

think her mother has barred her out, and she’ll have to go back with me.

(Peter dances round the room celebrating the brilliance of his own plan – Tink joins

him. They look at Mrs. Darling asleep.)

PETER

It’s Wendy’s mother. She’s a pretty lady but not so pretty as my mother. Her

mouth is full of thimbles but not so full as my mother’s. What are you thinking

Wendy's mother? ‘Come home Wendy’? You’ll never see Wendy again, lady,

for the window is barred. What is that in her eyes – those wet things? And now

more replace the ones that just came? She wants me to unbar the window. But I

won’t. More wet...She’s awfully fond of Wendy. Well, I’m fond of her too. We

can’t both have her, lady. Oh all right. (He opens the window) Come on Tink,

we don’t want any silly mothers. (He and Tink exit)

Mrs. Darling stirs. She stands, looks out the window and sadly shakes her head. She

lights the night lights then exits [& plays the day nursery piano - Home, Sweet Home].

Suddenly Wendy, Michael, and John arrive at the window. They enter their nursery.

MICHAEL

I’m sure we’ve been here before.

WENDY

Of course you have. There’s your old bed.

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MICHAEL

(Remembering) So it is.

JOHN

It's very careless of mother not to be here when we come back.

WENDY

I’m sure she’ll be here any second. Let us slip into our beds and be there when

she comes in, just as if we’ve never been away.

(They jump into their beds.)

MICHAEL

Wendy - then you’re not really our mother?

WENDY

No, Michael. Now let’s snuggle down.

(Mrs. Darling enters.)

MRS. DARLING

I see them in their beds - so often - in my dreams - that I still seem to see them

when I am awake, and all the time I know they are not there. I'll not look again.

(sits) So often in my dreams their silver voices call me. My little children whom

I'll see no more.

WENDY

Mother.

MRS. DARLING

That’s Wendy.

JOHN

Mother.

MRS. DARLING

Now it's John.

MICHAEL

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Mother.

MRS. DARLING

Now little Michael. (As they speak they sit up with outstretched arms but she is

not looking at them.) And when they call I stretch out my arms to them. (Does

so, brings arms together, drops them.) But they never come. They never come.

(Again her arms are outstretched. The children have risen and stolen towards

her. Wendy slips into the space between her arms, then John, then Michael, so

that her arms close on the three of them. Rapture.)

MRS DARLING

Wendy! Michael! John!

(They hold on to each other for life itself. As they hug, a figure appears at the window

looking on – it is Peter Pan. Wendy sees him.)

WENDY

Peter! (She rushes to the window)

MRS DARLING

Wendy! Where are you going. Stop!

WENDY

It’s alright, Mother. Come in Peter. Come and live with us. He can come and

stay with us can’t he? Mother, can’t he?

MRS DARLING

Of course. Peter, you can stay here if you’d like to.

PETER

Would you send me to school?

MRS DARLING

Yes.

PETER

And then to an office?

MRS DARLING

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I suppose so.

PETER

Soon I should be a man.

MRS DARLING

Very soon.

PETER

I don’t want to go to school and learn serious things. I don’t want to have a

beard. I want always to be a little boy and to always have fun.

MRS DARLING

But where will you live?

PETER

I'm to live with Tinker Bell in a little house we built for Wendy. She is to put it

high up among the tree-tops where the fairies sleep at nights.

MRS. DARLING

But I thought all fairies were dead.

WENDY

There are always a lot of young ones because, you see, when a new baby laughs

for the first time, a new fairy is born, and as there are always new babies there

are always new fairies. They live in birds' nests on the tops of trees, and the

mauve ones are boys and the white ones are girls.

MRS. DARLING

The sweets!

PETER

I'll have such fun.

WENDY

But won’t it be lonely in the evening?

PETER

I’ll have Tink.

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WENDY

Can I go with him Mother?

MRS. DARLING

Absolutely not. I’ve got you safe at home and I’ve no intention of letting you go

again.

WENDY

But he so needs a mother.

MRS. DARLING

So do you my love.

WENDY

Please.

MRS. DARLING

If you promise me you’ll stay, I’ll leave you for a moment with Peter. Do you

promise?

WENDY

I promise.

MRS. DARLING

Goodbye, Peter.

(Mrs. Darling and the children leave. Peter and Wendy are left looking at each other.)

WENDY

Will you come and see me again?

PETER

(Casually) Of course I will.

WENDY

Thank you, Peter. It was great fun.

PETER

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That’s alright.

WENDY

I won’t ever forget you. I’ll always remember you, the Lost Boys, Captain

Hook...

PETER

(Genuinely not knowing) Who’s Captain Hook?

WENDY

Don’t you remember, how you killed him and saved our lives?

PETER

I forget them after I kill them.

WENDY

(Sadly) Oh dear, I guess there’s just so many of them. But you won’t forget

me, Peter, will you? I mean, if you were to meet another little girl... Never

mind. Goodnight, Peter. Take care. Don’t forget me. Don’t...

PETER

Goodnight Wendy. (He has climbed onto the windowsill)

WENDY

Goodnight.

(Peter has gone without a care in the world, leaving Wendy alone. She closes the

window behind him.)

Scene 9 - The Finale

Wendy changes into being a grown woman again. Jane enters and is running round her

bed.

WENDY

(Lovingly) Come on you. It’s bedtime.

JANE

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I’m not going to bed. I’m not, I’m not.

WENDY

Quickly - I can see a crocodile coming.

JANE

(Excited) Crocodile?

(Jane pulls the sheet over her and Wendy’s head like a tent.)

JANE

Quick hide.

WENDY

Now snuggle down.

JANE

Tell me about Peter Pan.

WENDY

That story again! Aren’t you fed up of it?

JANE

Uncle Michael always tells me it.

WENDY

Uncle Michael...my little brother, and now a big man with a beard in an office.

JANE

What’s your favorite part?

WENDY

Oh I think I liked the home under the ground best of all.

JANE

I like that bit too. What was the last thing that Peter ever said to you?

WENDY

The last thing he said? - ‘Goodnight’. And now it’s time to say ‘goodnight’ to

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you.

JANE

And what did his crow sound like?

WENDY

It was a bit like this (She gently imitates Peter’s crowing)

JANE

No it isn’t. It’s like this (She does it - sleepily)

WENDY

My darling, how do you know that?

JANE

I often hear it when I’m sleeping. Is everything going to be alright, Mother?

WENDY

Nothing can harm you when the night lights are on.

JANE

I love you Mum.

WENDY

And I love you too.

(Wendy tucks Jane in and just as she’s about to leave the sound of crowing is heard. She

stops in her tracks. It is Peter. The window blows open and he comes in and drops into

the nursery.)

PETER

Hello Wendy.

WENDY

Hello Peter. Where have you been? It’s been so long since you last came.

PETER

It was just yesterday. Where’s Michael?

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WENDY

Michael doesn’t sleep here anymore.

PETER

That’s him (Looking at Jane) It’s a new one.

WENDY

Yes.

PETER

Boy or girl?

WENDY

Girl.

PETER

Do you like it?

WENDY

Yes. (She wipes her eyes)

PETER

What are those things in your eyes? The wet things? I know - you’re glad I

came.

WENDY

Peter, that’s my little girl.

PETER

(Pause) Come on – let’s go to the Neverland – you and me, there so many things

to be done.

WENDY

I can’t come – I’ve forgotten how to fly.

PETER

I’ll teach you again.

WENDY

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Come here Peter. Look at me. I’m a married woman now and that little girl

is my daughter.

PETER

(Resentfully) What does she call you?

WENDY

(Gently) Mother. (Pause) Peter I grew up long ago.

PETER

You promised not to!

WENDY

I couldn’t help it.

PETER

No!

(Peter draws his dagger and makes a lunge for Jane sleeping in the bed. His dagger

upraised – he struggles. He stops and hangs his head. He starts to cry and falls to the

floor. He sits there sobbing. Wendy doesn’t know how to comfort him)

JANE

(Waking up) Boy, why are you crying?

(Peter stops crying. He quickly stands and courteously bows to her.)

PETER

Hello.

JANE

What’s your name?

PETER

My name is Peter Pan.

JANE

Yes, I know.

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PETER

I came back for my mother, to take her to Neverland.

JANE

Yes, I know, I’ve been waiting for you.

PETER

Then come.

JANE

Mother? Please can I go?

WENDY

But you so need a mother.

JANE

Please?

WENDY

(Through tears) Yes my darling, you can go… of course you can go…

(Peter crows and sprinkles fairy dust on Jane. Wendy watches crying with both joy

and sorrow, as Peter and Jane climb onto the window sill and prepare to take off. The

scenes fades away, leaving Wendy alone.)

ENSEMBLE

As you look at Wendy, you can see her hair becoming white, and her figure little

again, for all this happened long ago. Jane is now a grown-up with a daughter

called Margaret, and every year, except when he forgets, Peter comes for

Margaret and takes her to Neverland, where she tells him stories about himself,

to which he listens eagerly. When Margaret grows up she will have a daughter,

who is to be Peter’s mother in turn; and thus it will go on and on, so long as

children are carefree and innocent and heartless.

The End