Description

Peter Pan Play including A Social Commentary from J.M. Barrie

Peter Pan Play including A Social Commentary from J.M. Barrie uses the skeleton script of previous Peter Pan Play but adds a more serious component in the form of ‘social comments’ from J.M. Barrie.

This script is for children aged 10 plus (upper Key Stage II and Key Stage III) Cast of 30 – easily adjustable up or down.

Duration – Around 30 minutes for reading time. This does not include music suggestions.

Peter Pan Play Sample Text:

Narrator:         Good morning and welcome to

(Enter Peter Pan, henceforth referred to as Peter)

Peter:              Hold it! Hold it!

Narrator:         (Angrily) What do you mean! This is the bit where you, Peter Pan, are meant to fly on

Peter:              (Interrupting) Exactly! That’s precisely why I’m halting this play before we disappear into the dizzy realms of fantasy!

Narrator:         But Peter Pan was fantasy! How else would he have been able to

Peter:              (Interrupting) Fly?

Narrator:         And stay young?

Peter:              But we all know that story! There can’t be many children who haven’t seen Disney’s Peter Pan movie!

Narrator:         And what’s wrong with that?

Peter:              Nothing! But .. oh I don’t know, it just seems to me there’s something missing.

Narrator:         Maybe you are worrying a little unnecessarily.  People always want to see Peter Pan – however many times they’ve seen it before!

Peter:              OK. I get that. But shouldn’t they be reminded of what the original writer had to say? And I don’t mean Disney!

Narrator:         Well, if you think it’s really necessary?

Peter:              (Vehemently) Yes, I do! It’s all very fine indulging in all that fantasy stuff but

(Enter J.M. Barrie, bowing to the cast and to the audience; he is referred to as Mr. Barrie henceforth)

(Whole cast stands to applaud)

Narrator:         (Gasping) Mr. Barrie? Mr. J.M. Barrie? Oh, what an honour to have you here today!

Mr. Barrie:      Thank you so much! I am delighted to be here!

Peter:              Ah, a timely arrival, Mr. Barrie! I am

Mr. Barrie:      Peter Pan, of course! I trust you are enjoying your role?

Peter:              Well, I

Narrator:         (Intervening quickly) Of course he is! Who wouldn’t be honoured to take the leading role?

Mr. Barrie:      But wait! He doesn’t look so sure. Is there something you would like to talk to me about?

Peter:              Well, as a matter of fact there is!

Narrator:         (Aside to audience, groaning) Oh oh! Here we go!

Peter:              You see, I think your story deserves a slightly more serious treatment!

Narrator:         (Protesting) But it was intended for children!

Mr. Barrie:      (To Narrator) And your point is? Are you saying children should not see the serious side of life?

Narrator:         Well,

Peter:              Aha! That was just what I was trying to say before you arrived! It’s time to perform a play that deals with your views, as the writer.

Mr. Barrie:      (Incredulously) You mean, that isn’t already the case?

Peter:              I’m afraid not.

Mr. Barrie:      Well, now! Perhaps that does need changing!

(Both Peter and Mr. Barrie turn to Narrator)

Mr. Barrie:      Would you, as the director of this play, be OK with (pauses) a few additions? Just some comments I might make along the way?

Narrator:         (Thoughtfully) I suppose so. (Pauses) On one condition.

Mr. Barrie:      And that is?

Narrator:         That the play itself stays as it is! (Pointing to the cast) I have a cast who’ve all learnt their lines and can’t be expected to change everything at the last moment!

Mr. Barrie:      But of course! I am quite happy to be a spectator in the wings.

Peter:              To keep an eye on things!

Narrator:         Without too much interference. We do, after all, have to get to the end of the play this morning! (Sighing) Very well. We’ll give it a go!