Finding Neverland

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.