Finding Neverland
Michael Can you come to the play-house.
Sylvia In a moment Michael, he’s just arrived.
Michael But I said I’d get him. They always send Peter to do things. I said I’ll do it. It will spoil the surprise.
Sylvia What surprise darling?
Michael It’s a great surprise. We’ve taken most of the day preparing for it, everybody’s waiting for you.
James Then we mustn’t keep them waiting.
Michael Please don’t tell them that I told you the surprise, I said I wouldn’t.
Sylvia Oh well, you didn’t really tell us anything about it, did you?
Michael Yes I did, it’s a play.
James It’s a play!
Peter The Lamentable Tale of Lady Ursula, a play in one act, by Peter Llewellyn Davies. This is just a bit of silliness really.
James I should hope so. Go on.
Peter I just wanted to take a stab at writing, you know, well, the others do a good job of it anyway.
Sylvia Well, let’s see it then.
Peter The Lamentable Tale of Lady Ursula. One morning, just after sunrise, Lady Ursula, the most beautiful daughter of Lord and Lady DuBonne, made her way up the steps of the great cathedral to pray to her blessed saint. Suddenly, as she reached the cathedral doors, the gargoyle that guarded the sacred structure, came to life and swooped down upon her. The people of the village all ran to safety, but Lady Ursula slipped on the cathedral steps and the gargoyle descended upon her, wrapping her in its huge wings and taking her high up into the spires of the cathedral.
Sylvia Go on Peter.
Peter Not long after this sorrowful event, a young knight names J M Barnaby came into the city.
James Sylvia, come on. Do you want some water?
Sylvia No James.
James Back to the house, go on. She won’t discuss it with me at all. She claims it was nothing. I tell you doctor, she couldn’t breathe.
Doctor Well, I can’t very well treat a patient who won’t admit there’s anything wrong.
James You’ll have to make her understand that something is.
Doctor I’ll try and do my best.
James Okay, just here. Put your hand flat like that, okay? And. Ow. And then, like that.
Sylvia Come in.
James The good doctor didn’t feel up to the challenge on this one. He thinks you need to go to hospital for further tests.
Sylvia Nonsense, when would I have the time for that? Besides, this family’s had enough of hospitals.
James Perhaps they can help you.
Sylvia I know what they can do for me. I saw what they did for my husband. No James, no interest in hospitals. Though I’m keenly interested in having some supper.
Peter What did you and mother decide to tell us this time? It’s only a chest cold?!
James We hadn’t decided anything.
Peter Stop lying to me. I’m sick of grown-ups lying to me.
James I’m not lying to you. I don’t know what’s wrong.
Peter Father might take us fishing. That’s what she said, in just a few weeks, and he dies the next morning.
James That wasn’t a lie Peter. That was your mother’s hope.
Peter He barely moved for a week, but I started planning our fishing trip.
James I will never lie to you. I promise you that,
Peter No, all you’ll do is teach me to make up stupid stories and pretend that things aren’t happening, until. . . I won’t, I’m not blind. I won’t be made a fool.
Sylvia What’s this? Peter? Your play. Darling, I wanted to see the rest of it. Magic’s gone out of it a bit now, hasn’t it? All because of a silly chest cold.
Mary James. Well you remember Gilbert Cannan don’t you?
James Good evening.
Mary Mr Cannan has been working on the committee to fight government censorship.
Gilbert I know how involved you’ve been as well.
Mary He wanted to speak to you. I did think you’d be home so much sooner.
James It’s been a long evening Mary.
Mary Yes, well if I’d realised how late it was, of course.
Gilbert I should perhaps talk to you at another time, not so late.
James That’ll be fine.
Gilbert We’ll talk then, eh. Thank you for your patience Mrs Barrie, Mr Barrie. Good night.
Mary Well aren’t you going to speak?
James What would you like me to say? Curious how late Mr Cannan stayed I suppose. And let’s see, what comes next? No later than you were out James. And how is Mrs Davies this evening? Oh yes, I would have a great answer to that one, wouldn’t I?
Mary How dare you! This isn’t one of your plays.
James I know that Mary. It’s quite serious. But I’m not ready for this conversation, whatever it may be. Perhaps we can talk in the morning, yes? Good night then.
Smee Er, Mr Barrie, don’t you agree this is a little bit tight?
James No, no, in fact I think it’s quite. . . baggy.
Smee Baggy?
James Quite frumpy. I’d bring it right in just here.
Smee That’s very tight.
James Hm, right there. And put maybe a plank of wood there to straighten him up.
Tailor Oh yeah, yes Mr Barrie.
Smee Plank of wood?
James Some wood there, there in the shoulders. Otherwise it’s marvellous.
Tailor Right sir.
Sylvia You’ll be sick tomorrow.
George I’ll be sick tonight.
Sylvia James, we’re just having some tea. You remember my mother of course.
James Yes, of course, how do you do?
Sylvia May I take your hat?
Mrs Du Maurier Don’t laugh boys.
Sylvia Boys, please don’t run in the house, you’ll break something, come away from that door, come on, come on, come on, come on.
Mrs Du Maurier I’d like a word with you Mr Barrie before you go. We’ll only be a few minutes.
Sylvia Boys, why don’t you go and play in the garden, go on.
Michael Is he in trouble?
Peter Sshh!
Michael Because I’ve been alone with Grandmother and I know what it’s like.
Sylvia Shall we retire into the study?
Mrs Du Maurier Why don’t you join them dear?
Sylvia Very well.
James I do apologise for interrupting.
Mrs Du Maurier Would you close the door please.
James Certainly.
Mrs Du Maurier Sylvia has told me you’ve offered her the services of your household staff.
James Er, well, not exactly.
Mrs Du Maurier That won’t be necessary.
James I’ll leave that to Sylvie of course.
Mrs Du Maurier You’ll leave that to me Mr Barrie. You see I’m moving in here from now on.
James You’re moving in?
Mrs Du Maurier I’m going where I’m most needed. And I can certainly see to it that this house is managed without resorting to your charity.
James It isn’t charity Mrs DuMaurier. I was only trying to help as a friend.
Mrs Du Maurier Have you no idea how much your friendship has already cost my daughter? Or are you really that selfish?
