The True Story Behind 'Peter Pan'

Dreamers young and old recognize the tale of Peter Pan, but do they know the story of how this beloved character came to be? With classic musical Peter Pan visiting The Smith Center June 18 to 23, 2024 — featuring a revised book by celebrated playwright Larissa FastHorse, Broadway’s first female Native American playwright — audiences might feel curious about the origins of this famous Lost Boy.

Read below to discover how Peter Pan originated, and the many ways his story has taken shape throughout the past century.

JUST CHILD’S PLAY

Some might feel surprised that the creator of Peter Pan, Scottish author and playwright Sir James M. Barrie, never had his own children. He spent a great deal of time, however, with the five boys of his good friends Sylvia and Arthur Llewelyn Davies. It was while writing and acting out skits for the children that Barrie developed the characters and plot he would use in writing the play, Peter Pan.

Barrie also drew inspiration from the boys’ parents. He modeled the character of Mr. Darling after their father, attorney Arthur. Mrs. Darling was based on their refined, nurturing mother Sylvia.

Reflecting Barrie’s close relationship with the family, he adopted all five boys after Sylvia and Arthur’s early deaths.

FLYING TO THE STAGE

After Barrie first mentioned Peter Pan in a book in 1902, he perfected the character two years later in his full-length play, Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up.

Despite the high quality and originality of the play, Barrie had difficulty getting it produced, as theater productions at the time didn’t include special effects like flying, or even major scene changes.

Finally, English producer Charles Frohman agreed to produce the play. He cast one of England’s most popular actresses, Nina Boucicault, as Peter, with her brother Dion directing the first production. A perfectionist, he often required the cast and crew to rehearse up to 18 hours at a time.

With its impressive technical effects and charming story, the production proved a great success across England, and earned instant acclaim with its Broadway debut in 1905.

THE MANY FORMS OF PETER PAN

Peter Pan has lived on in many forms.

In 1911, Barrie adapted his popular play into a novel. Peter Pan’s story has since been retold in numerous films, including the famous 1953 Walt Disney animated classic, then Peter Pan in 1924, Steven Spielberg’s Hook in 1992, Peter Pan in 2003, and Pan in 2015. The play was also performed live on national TV in 2014.

Why does Peter Pan remain popular around the world? Perhaps because it speaks to the smallest child with its spectacle and fantasy, while reminding adults of the magic from when they were children.

One more reason prevails: the universal desire to never grow up.

See Peter Pan at The Smith Center from Tuesday, June 18 to Sunday, June 23, 2023.