Jack
Can I have a go?
Stagehand
Yeah, you can have a little go. Give that a tug. Go on.
Michael
Can I have a go?
Stagehand
In a minute.
Michael
Can I have a go Jack?
Jack
I have to concentrate.
Stagehand
Stop it now boys.
Jack
No Michael, Michael.
Stagehand
Stop it about boys.
Jack
No don’t do that.
George
Ow.
Voice
What’s happened?
Stagehand
Oh no, oh no, no, sorry, I’m so sorry.
Jack
George?
Doctor
Mr Barrie, Mrs Davies would like a word with you. No, just Mr Barrie.
Sylvia
Did you encourage this?
James
Encourage what?
Sylvia
James please. You know perfectly well what. George won’t allow them to set his arm unless I submit to an examination.
James
I see, well I suppose you’ll have to then, ‘cos he’s quite a stubborn young man when he sets his mind to it.
Sylvia
This is absurd. They won’t tell me anything different.
James
Different? So you’ve already spoken to a doctor then.
Sylvia
That is not your concern. My understanding is that my condition may be quite serious. However, my wish is that life should go on as normal. So, I’ll have the examination, and I’ll take whatever medication they advise, but I don’t want to know what they’re for. And I don’t want you enquiring into it any further.
James
Wouldn’t dream of it. Mary, Mary?
Sylvia
Peter will you help George to fold a pocket handkerchief please, they’re in the linen cupboard, darling.
Peter
Yes mother.
Sylvia
Jack, how do you manage to always come untucked? Would you check your shirt-tails in the intermission please?
Jack
Yes mother.
Mrs Du Maurier
You’re not planning on attending any after theatre events are you?
Sylvia
Only for a short time if we do. The tickets!
Mrs Du Maurier
With the children?
Sylvia
George! Um, possibly. Would you see if George has the tickets please?
Jack
All right.
Sylvia
I’ll just check my dressing table.
Mrs Du Maurier
Sylvia, those events are entirely. . .
Michael
Mum!
Sylvia
Mother, please see if George has the tickets. Michael, where are your socks? Erm, wait here, don’t move.
Mrs Du Maurier
Take her feet George. We’ll need some more blankets. Take Michael with you, would you?
Michael
She looks much worse than when we were at the cottage.
George
Sshh Michael.
Charles
Those 25 seats, has anyone shown up?
Ticket Seller
No sir, not yet.
Charles
Precisely. Have there been many people asking for seats?
Ticket Seller
Yes sir.
James
Charles.
Charles
I suggest you start selling them.
James
Charles.
Charles
Yes James?
James
Seen any of the Davies family yet this evening?
Charles
The 25 seats, are they filled?
James
It’s taken care of.
Charles
Yes, yes. Who did you invite? Because obviously whoever you invited decided not to come.
James
The seats will be filled, I promise.
Charles
Yes, you’ve been promising me a. . .
Man
Charles.
Charles
Hello, Mr Stand.
James
Have you seen the Davies family this evening?
Usher
No sir.
Mrs Du Maurier
Jack has gone to get Dr Brighton.
Sylvia
Oh no mother, I don’t need a doctor.
Mrs Du Maurier
Yes you do dear. I think I’ll get some camomile to help you relax. Peter will be here if you need anything.
Sylvia
Peter. Peter.
Peter
Can I do anything mother?
Sylvia
NO darling. You must go to the play.
Peter
I can’t do that.
Sylvia
Yes you can. I need you to. I need you to come back tonight and tell me every bit of it. Please.
Peter
It’s only a play mother. It doesn’t matter. What do you want?
Sylvia
Take it out. Open it. I’ve never been so proud of you.
Usher
Last call please ladies and gentlemen. Last call for the play.
Charles
Yes, yes, yes. We have time to sell those 25 seats. Play’s starting.
James
Charles.
Charles
What?
James
They’re here.
Charles
Who’s here?
James
You’ll forgive them being a bit late. Short legs, it’s a long walk from the orphanage.
Charles
I’m not clear what they’re doing here.
James
They’ve come to see the play. That’s the 25 seats.
Charles
25 seats given to orphans? Right, now my nightmare is complete.
James
You can start your play now.
Charles
Your play!
Peter
Thank you.
Man
Looks like we got one of the better dressed ones.
Smee
I just want you to know, I think you’re a wonderful dog.
Nana
Thanks. Woof. Woof.
Actress
I won’t go to bed, I won’t. I won’t.
Nana
Woof.
Actress
Nana it isn’t six o’clock yet. Two minutes more? Please. One minute more? Nana I will not be barked. I tell you, I will not. . . be. . . barked.
Nana
Woof.
Actress
Eeeeh!
Mrs Darling
Who are you? No-one there, yet I feel sure I saw a face. My children!
James
How is she?
Mrs Du Maurier
She’s resting.
James
May I see her?
Mrs Du Maurier
No Mr Barrie. I don’t think we need to include you in everything that goes on in this household.
George
But she’d want to see him.
Mrs Du Maurier
Be quiet George. And since, as I’ve discovered, you’ve seen fit to conceal certain facts about my daughter’s condition from me. I feel no remorse at excluding you from my home.
George
But you can’t s. . .
Mrs Du Maurier
Go upstairs George now.
George
Stop ordering me about. This isn’t your home! It’s our home. Just ‘cos mother’s needed your help recently, doesn’t give you the right to rule over her existence. She’s not a child anymore, and neither am I. If she wants to see Uncle Jim, she can see Uncle Jim. There’s nothing you can do about it. Mother?
Sylvia
Yes darling. James. No, your play! Look at all this. I’d have come tonight, it’s just. . .
George
Mother you need to rest.
Sylvia
So many things to do here. Let’s see, this needs mending. Four boys, no end of patches. Can’t seem to keep up. I haven’t the time for all this. Don’t look at me like that James, you make me feel so utterly exposed.
James
Boys, would you give me a moment with your mother please? Thank you. They can see it you know. You can’t go on just pretending.
Sylvia
Just pretending? You brought pretending into this family James. You showed us we can change things by simply believing them to be different.
James
But not all things Sylvia, not everything.
Sylvia
But the things that matter. We’ve pretended for some time now that. . . you’re a part of this family haven’t we? You’ve come to mean so much to us all that. . . now, it doesn’t matter if it’s true. And even if it isn’t true, even if that can never be. . . I need to go on pretending. . . until the end. . . with you.
Actor
How do you do it?
Peter Pan
You just think lovely, wonderful thoughts, and they lift you up in the air.
Actor
You are so nippy at it, couldn’t you do it very slowly once? Yes, I’ve got it now Wendy.
Peter Pan
I must blow fairy dust on you first. Now try, try from the bed. Just wriggle your shoulders like this and then let go.
Actress 1
I flew.
Actor
How ripping.
Actress 2
Lovely.
Peter Pan
Now join hands.
Actor
Look at me.
Actress
I do like it.
Charles
Genius.
James
Hold still, don’t move.
Sylvia
Yes, I feel a little better. Oh, it’s been a bad day, that’s all. Now I want you to go back to the theatre. Find Peter.
James
Of course.
Sylvia
Thank you.
James
You’re sure there’s nothing else I can do for you?
Sylvia
No. Well. . . I have always wanted to go to Neverland. You did promise to tell me about it you know.
James
Aye, I did.
Sylvia
It’s a bit late for it tonight though, I’m afraid. Perhaps sometime soon though.
James
Most definitely.
Wendy
Do you mean we shall both be drowned?
Peter Pan
Look how the water is rising. It must be the tail of the kite we made for Michael. You remember. It tore itself out of his hands and floated away. The kite! Why shouldn’t it carry you?
Wendy
Both of us.
Peter Pan
It can’t lift two, Michael and Curly tried.
Wendy
I won’t go without you Peter. Let us draw lots to see who is to stay behind.
Peter Pan
And you a lady. Never. Ready Wendy?
Wendy
Peter!
Peter Pan
Don’t let go Wendy!
Wendy
Peter, I’m frightened!
Peter Pan
Hold on Wendy! To die will be an awfully big adventure.
James
I’m glad you came.
Mary
Well, I’ve never missed an opening. So I. . . assume you’ve heard about Gilbert and I?
James
Yes. Quite the scandal, so I’m told. How are you?
Mary
I’m all right. How are you?
James
I’m sorry.
Mary
Don’t be. Without that family you could never have written anything like this. You need them. Goodbye.
Mrs Snow
Mr Barrie.
James
Mrs Snow.
Mrs Snow
Why thank you, that was quite the nicest evening I’ve ever spent in the theatre.
James
Oh that’s very kind of you to say. Thank you. Where’s Mr Snow this evening?
Mrs Snow
Oh, I’m afraid he’s left us. And he would so have loved this evening. The pirates and the Indians. He was really just a boy himself, you know. To the very end.
James
Terribly sorry. How’re you doing?
Mrs Snow
I’m doing well enough now, thank you. I suppose it’s all the work of the ticking crocodile isn’t it? Time is chasing after all of us, isn’t that right?
James
That’s right Mrs Snow.
Niece
Aunt Rose, your drink.
Mrs Snow
Thank you. I mustn’t keep you, you’ve a lot of friends here.
James
It’s lovely to see you.
Mrs Snow
Thank you.
James
I’m terribly sorry once again.
Niece
Was that Mr Barrie?
Mrs Snow
That was Mr Barrie.
James
Pssst. What do you think?
Peter
It’s about our summer together isn’t it?
James
It is.
Peter
About all of us.
James
That’s right. Do you like it?
Peter
It’s magical. Thank you.
James
No, thank you. Thank you, Peter.
Woman 1
This is Peter Pan, how wonderful.
Man
Really, you’re Peter Pan? Why, you must be quite the little adventurer.
Woman 2
Look it’s true, he has no shadow.
Peter
But I’m not Peter Pan, he is.
Doctor
And there’s been no improvement in that since my last visit?
Sylvia
No. Has James been by at all today mother?
George
Dr Brighton, may I have a word?
Doctor
Excuse me please.
Sylvia
You haven’t been keeping him from me have you?
Mrs Du Maurier
As a matter of fact, I actually hoped he might come, it would have proved me wrong about him. Of course, with the success of his play, the whole of London must be knocking at his door. I’m sorry dear. What is it?
Michael
It’s a secret.
Jack
Quiet Michael.
Michael
I didn’t say anything.
George
Mother, could you come downstairs for a moment?
Mrs Du Maurier
‘Course she can’t come downstairs, what are you thinking of George?
Doctor
Actually, I think a trip downstairs might do her good, Ma’am.
Mrs Du Maurier
Okay?
Sylvia
What have you been up to?
George
Just wait and see.
Michael
It’s a play.
James
It’s not just a play Michael, it’s the play. ‘Course we’ll have to make do with a few compromises. Much of it will have to be imagined.
Peter
As it should be.
James
As it should be.
Peter
Michael come and sit here next to mum.
James
When you’re ready.
Nana
Woof. Woof.
Actress
I won’t go to bed, I won’t, I won’t.
Nana
Woof.
Actress
Nana, it isn’t six o’clock yet, 2 minutes more, please.
Nana
Woof.
Wendy
You know fairies, Peter?
Peter Pan
Yes, but they’re nearly all dead now. You see Wendy. When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about. And that was the beginning of fairies. And now when every new baby is born its first laugh becomes a fairy. So there ought to be one fairy for every boy and girl.
Wendy
Ought to be, isn’t there?
Peter Pan
Oh no, children know such a lot now, soon they 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. Who is that? The Redskins were defeated? Wendy and the boys captured by the pirates? I’ll rescue her. I’ll rescue her. Oh that’s just my medicine. Poisoned? Who could have poisoned it? Why Tink! You’ve drunk my medicine! I was poisoned. And you drank it to save my life? Tink. Are you dying? Her light is growing faint. If it goes out, that means she’s dead. Her voice is so low I can scarcely hear what she’s saying. She says she thinks she could get well again, if children believed in fairies. Do you believe in fairies? Say quick that you believe. If you believe, clap your hands. Clap louder. Thank you. Thank you.
Mrs Du Maurier
It’s all right, you go.
James
That, is Neverland. So many perfect days. I really began to believe we’d go on like that for ever.
Peter
Oh stop it, she wasn’t going to stay with you for ever. She had a husband, my father. She never cared for you the way she did for him.
James
I’m not trying to replace your father Peter. I could never do that.
Mrs Du Maurier
You’d best let him go. George, would you take the boys back to the house? I’ll be with you in a moment. Go on dear.
James
I’m terribly sorry, I’ve ruined everything I’ve touched in this family.
Mrs Du Maurier
Stop giving yourself so much credit, Peter’s grieving. It has nothing to do with you.
James
Perhaps, if I just had a bit more time with him.
Mrs Du Maurier
No Mr Barrie, that won’t be good enough. If a bit more time is all you can provide, you’d better leave him alone.
James
I know you don’t much care for me Mrs DuMaurier and I respect that, but, I loved your daughter very much. And I love those boys. And I think they need me right now.
Mrs Du Maurier
Is that so? And for how long after?
James
Meaning what?
Mrs Du Maurier
Sylvia has requested a co-guardianship for the boys in her will. You, Mr Barrie, and myself.
James
And what do you have to say about that?
Mrs Du Maurier
I shall respect my daughter’s wishes, something I should have done more of while she was alive. But if you feel you’re not ready for such a commitment, I assure you I can certainly look after the boys by myself.
James
Do you think I could abandon those boys? Sit down Peter.
Peter
Mother pasted it back together, after I ruined it. And when I saw the play, I just started writing, and I haven’t been able to stop.
James
She would be very pleased to know that. Listen, I’ve just spoken with your Grandmother, and I’m staying, for good.
Peter
I’m sorry I was so horrible.
James
Don’t worry.
Peter
It’s just, I thought she’d always be here.
James
So did I. But in fact, she is. Because she’s on every page of your imagination. You’ll always have her there. Always.
Peter
But why did she have to die?
James
I don’t know boy. When I think of your mother, I’ll always remember how happy she looked, sitting there in the parlour, watching a play about her family, about her boys who never grew up. She went to Neverland. And you can visit her anytime you like. If you just go there yourself.
Peter
How?
James
By believing Peter, just believe.
Peter
I can see her.
James
Good boy.
