Jon Jory’s Peter Pan reimagines the classic fairy tale about the boy who refuses to grow up as a gender-bent theatrical spectacle. The spirit of the story and the beloved characters are very much present: the playful Peter Pan, the imaginative Wendy, the ego-driven Captain Hook, and hapless hanger-on Smee. Jory treats the story as a light-hearted adventure tale, infusing his unique brand of humor into the characters. In fact, at some points the play feels as much like a sitcom as an adventure fantasy. One of the most unique of Jory’s inventions is the inclusion of The Narrator, who enthusiastically attempts to narrate parts of the story for the audience to the disapproval of the other characters.
In Jory’s version, Captain Hook and the pirates are written as female-presenting (although traditional casting is also possible). The play is full-length without an act break, though the playwright offers a suggested intermission point if desired. A condensed one-act version is also available. When it comes to Peter and Wendy flying (after all, what’s an adventure without flying), the play is written to accommodate either traditional flying or pared-down theatrical conceits. With plenty of flexibility in costuming, sets, and casting, this adaptation is a perfect choice for middle or high school theatres as well as theatres for young audiences with any budget.
Peter Pan guide sections
