The Stage

Hayley Mills joins Peter Pan centenary celebrations

Published Tuesday 7 December 2004 at 14:45 by Jeremy Austin

Hayley Mills is the latest former Peter Pan cast member to sign up to the celebrations of the centenary of the first production of JM Barrie’s classic children’s play at the Duke of York’s Theatre on December 18.

Organised by Action for Children’s Arts and supported by the Ambassador Theatre Group, the Mackintosh Foundation and W2 Productions, Sheila Hancock will host the free, hour long centrepiece event entitled Neverland Revisited that also includes Susan Hampshire, Stephen Moore, Julia Lockwood, Ron Moody, John McCallum, Googie Withers, Janette Scott, Donald Sinden and Wendy Craig.

Children’s writer and chair of ACA David Wood said: “My career in children’s theatre I believe was influenced by Barrie because it was the first play I ever saw and it was arguably the first children’s play. In those days you didn’t really do things for children.”

The event will include a presentation on the origins of the play by Catherine Haill, curator of the Theatre Museum, an introduction to the first production of the play by Stephen Reynolds, box office manager at the venue and a rehearsed reading organised by the Unicorn Theatre of Barrie’s short sequel to the play, which was only ever staged once in 1908.

Although entrance is free it is by ticket only. These are available by sending a self addressed, stamped envelope to Box Office Manager, Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2 4BG. Children are allowed to attend, but under fives will not be allowed into the auditorium.

Other centenary celebrations include events at the Theatre Museum looking at the special effects employed over the years in the production as well as workshops and storytelling activities.