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Study Guide prepared by Barter Playwright-in-ResidenceCatherine Bush
Peter Pan Adapted by Catherine Bush from the book by J.M. Barrie *Especially for Grades K-
The Barter Players – Barter On Demand (NOTE: Standards listed below include those for reading the story Peter Pan, seeing a performance of the play On Demand, and completing the study guide. ) Virginia SOLs English – K.1, K.5, K.7, K.8, K.11, K.12, 1.1, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.12, 1.14, 2.1, 2.6, 2.7, 2.10, 2.12, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8, 3.10, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.5, 4.7, 4.9, 5.1, 5.2, 5.4,5.5, 5.7, 5.9, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7, 6. Theatre Arts – 6.5, 6.7, 6.10, 6.18, 6. Tennessee /North Carolina Common Core State Standards English/Language Arts 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.10, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.7, 4.10, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.10, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, - Reading Literacy: K.1, K.2,K.3, K.5, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 6.7, 6.10 English Language Arts – Writing: K.1, K.3, K.4, K.5, K.8, 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.8, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 2.8, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.7, 3.8, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.2, 6.3, 6.7, 6. Tennessee Fine Arts Curriculum Standards Theatre – K.T.P1, K.T.Cr2, K.T.R1.A, K.T.R2, K.T.R3, 1.T.Cr2, 1.T.Cr3, 1.T.R1, 1.T.R2, 1.T.R3, 2.T.Cr2, 2.T.Cr3, 2.T.R1, 2.T.R2, 2.T.R3, 3.T.Cr2, 3.T.Cr3, 3.T.R1, 4.T.Cr2, 4.T.Cr3,4.T.R1, 5.T.Cr2, 5.T.Cr2, 5.T.R1, 6.T.Cr2, 6.T.R1, 6.T.R2, 6.T.R
North Carolina Essential Standards Theatre Arts – K.A.1, K.AE.1, 1.A.1, 1.AE.1, 1.CU.2, 2.C.2, 2.A.1, 2.AE.1, 3.C.1, 3.C.2, 3.A.1, 3.CU.1, 3.CU.2, 4.C.1, 4.A.1, 4.AE.1, 5.C.1, 5.A.1, 5.AE.1, 5.CU.2, 6.C.2, 6.A.1, 6.CU.
Setting A children’s nursery in London and the island of Neverland…
Characters Wendy – a young girl with an imagination John – Wendy’s brother Michael – Wendy’s youngest brother Mrs. Darling – the children’s mother Mr. Darling – the children’s father Nana – a dog, the children’s nurse Peter Pan – a boy who won’t grow up Tinkerbell – a fairy who loves Peter Shadow – Peter’s shadow Captain Hook – leader of the pirates, Peter’s nemesis Smee – Hook’s first mate Great Big Little Panther – Chief of the PA-Ja-Ma tribe Tiger Lily – princess of the PA-Ja-Ma tribe Crocodile – a beast with an appetite for Captain Hook
Note: Cast Size and Doubling of Actors In this production of Peter Pan, we will be using only six actors. Some actors will be required to play more than one role. Doubling of actors requires distinction between characters. In this production, characters will be distinguished by costume, voice and other physical character traits.
Synopsis (cont.) Peter takes Wendy, John, and Michael to his Hideout under the Grove of Trees, and he introduces them to the Lost Boys. Wendy immediately begins to mother them – giving them medicine before tucking them in and reading them a bed time story. Meanwhile, Tiger Lily, determined to retrieve the Royal Necklace of the PA-Ja-Mas – which Hook stole – sneaks aboard Hook’s ship, the Jolly Roger but is caught before she can get it back and tied up.
The next day, Wendy, Peter and the boys are swimming at Marooner's Rock when they notice the pirates approaching. The boys swim to shore, but Wendy and Peter have no choice but to hide. Hook and Smee row up in a boat with their prisoner, Tiger Lily. Their intention is to abandon her there so that when the tide comes in, she’ll drown. Suddenly Peter springs up from behind the rock, rips the Royal Necklace from Hook’s grasp, frees Tiger Lily, gives her the necklace then tells her to swim for it. Peter and Hook battle. Peter gets hurt and Hook is about to finish him off when he hears the ticking of the Crocodile. Hook and Smee flee in the boat with the Crocodile in pursuit. The tide is coming in, and Peter and Wendy are going to drown unless they get off the rock, but Peter is too injured to fly or swim. Suddenly John appears on the shore with his kite; he flies the kite out to the Rock, Wendy and Peter grab hold of the tail, and John is able to “fly” them to shore.
On the way back to the Hideout, Wendy and Peter are met by Great Big Little Panther, who thanks Peter for saving Tiger Lily’s life. Realizing that Peter is wounded, Tiger Lily places the magical Royal Necklace around his neck and he is healed. Panther and Tiger Lily promise to guard the Grove of Trees to prevent the pirates from attacking the Hideout. Back in the Hideout, Wendy tells the boys a bedtime story about her family. In the story, Wendy reveals that she is certain that Mrs. Darling will leave the bedroom window open for them forever. Peter assures her that the opposite his true. He tells her that when he went back to his home after his adventures, the window was shut and another child was sleeping in his bed. Panicking at the very idea of being replaced, the Darling children determine to go home that very night. Peter refuses to go with them. Wendy is heartbroken. Before she leaves, she fills a glass with medicine for Peter to take, but he refuses that as well. Wendy and the boys leave.
Synopsis (cont.) Meanwhile, above the ground, in the Grove of Trees, the pirates have launched a surprise attack against the PA-Ja-Mas, and Panther and Tiger Lily have no choice but to flee for their life. As Wendy and the boys, leave the Hideout, the pirates capture them and Smee takes them back to the ship. Hook finds the secret entrance and makes his way into the Hideout, where he finds Peter asleep. Hook decides the best way to kill Peter is to put poison in his medicine – but he is unaware that Tinkerbell is watching. Hook leaves and Peter wakes up. Tinkerbell informs him that Wendy and the boys have been captured by the pirates. Peter wants to rescue them, but before he does so, he decides to drink his medicine. Tink warns him that it’s been poisoned, but Peter doesn’t believe her. Desperate to save him, Tinkerbell drinks the medicine instead and starts to die. Peter brings her back to life by convincing those around him to clap for her and believe. Tinkerbell’s health is restored and their off to rescue their friends.
Aboard the Jolly Roger, Captain Hook is just about to make Wendy walk the plank when Peter shows up. Once more the pirate and the Youth do battle. This time, Peter has the upper hand. Peter pushes Hook overboard and he falls into the mouth of the waiting Crocodile. Peter then leads Wendy and her brothers back to the Nursery, arriving just before their parents return. Wendy begs Peter to stay, but Peter reminds her that he would be expected to grow up, and he is determined never to do that. Peter watches as Mrs. Darling enters and makes sure her children are tucked in for the night, and then he leaves for another adventure.
Vocabulary Words
pixie swarthy plank reputation lullaby reef conceited
crowing tinker pram lagoon revenge impudence villain
interfere injure valuable sterilize descendant consider adopt
perimeter conundrum wretched prisoner insolent sinister infernal
Define each of the vocabulary words listed above then write sentences using them. Remember: anyone reading your sentence should be able to understand the word from the context in which it is used.
Find the Lost Boys!
Have some of your students draw pictures of the six Lost Boys in the novel Peter Pan: Nibs, Curly, Tootles, Slightly, and the Twins. Hide the pictures around the classroom, and draw a treasure map with clues that will help your students find them. The addition of a loudly ticking clock can add to the excitement; the students must find them before the Crocodile does!
A Brief History Barter Theatre was founded during the Great Depression by Robert Porterfield, an enterprising youngactor. He and his fellow actors found themselves out of work and hungry in New York City. Porterfield contrasted that to the abundance of food, but lack of live theatre, around his home regionin Southwest Virginia. He returned to Washington County with an extraordinary proposition: bartering produce from the farms and gardens of the area to gain admission to see a play. Barter Theatre opened its doors on June 10, 1933 proclaiming,can buy a good laugh.” The price of admission was 40 cents or the equivalent in produce, the concept of “With vegetables you cannot sell, you trading$4.35 in cash, two barrels of jelly and enjoyed a collective weight gain of over 300 pounds. “ham for Hamlet” caught on quickly. At the end of the first season, the Barter Company cleared
Playwrights including Noel Coward, Tennessee Williams and Thornton Wilder accepted Virginia ham aspayment for royalties. An exception was George Bernard Shaw, a vegetarian, who bartered the rights to his plays for spinach. Today, Barter Theatre has a reputation as a theatre where many actors performed before going on toachieve fame and fortune. The most recognized of these alumni include Gregory Peck, Patricia Neal, Ernest Borgnine, Hume Cronyn, Ned Beatty, Gary Collins, Larry Linville and Frances Fisher. The listalso included James Burrows, creator of Cheers, Barry Corbin, and the late Jim Varney.
Robert Porterfield passed away in 1971. His successor, Rex Partington, had been at Barter in the 1950sas an actor and in the 1970s as stage manager. Rex returned as chief administrator from 1972 until his retirement in 1992. In March 2006, he passed away. Richard Rose was named the Producing Artistic Director in October 1992. During his tenure, attendancegrew from 42,000 to more than 163,000 annual patrons. Significant capital improvements were also made, including renovation of the main stage (now Gilliam Stage) in 1995 and the 2006 addition of TheBarter Café at Stage II (now the Smith Theatre). Rose retired in December of 2019 and Katy Brown, who had been at Barter since 1998 as the Director of the Barter Players and as an Associate Artistic Director,was named the fourth Producing Artistic Director – and is the first woman to hold the position.
Barter represents two distinct venues of live theatre: Barter TheatreTheatre. Gilliam Stage, with over 500 seats, features traditional theatre in a luxurious setting. Barter’s Gilliam Stage, and Barter’s Smith’s Smith Theatre offers seating for 167 around a thrust stage in an intimate setting and is perfect for moreadventurous productions. Barter Theatre is also home to The Barter Players, a talented ensemble of actors who produce plays for young audiences throughout the year. History is always in the making at Barter Theatre, building on legends of the past; Barter looks forward to the challenge of growth in the future.
- What do the children need to use in order to fly? If you could fly out your window at night, where would you go? What would you do? Imagine you were given the gift of flight and write a paragraph describing what it felt like.
- After reading Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie and seeing a performance of the Barter Player’s production, how do the two compare? How many characters are in the book? How are the Lost Boys represented in the play? Which version did you like better? Why? Discuss.
- J.M. Barrie was born in Scotland. Using the internet, research the people of Scotland and their culture. What language do they speak? What foods do they eat? What is their climate? The population of the country? What sort of government does it have? Present your findings to the class.
- “Growing up” and “motherhood” are two recurring themes in this story. What do these concepts mean to Peter and the Lost Boys? What do they mean to Wendy? Discuss.
- How does a touring show at your school (in this case, a filmed version) compare to a show produced at a theatre in terms of set, props, costumes, and performing space. Discuss.
- After reading Peter Pan, write a paper comparing and contrasting the characters of Mr. Darling and Captain Hook. What do they have in common? How are they different? In theatre, it is a tradition that the actor playing Mr. Darling also plays Captain Hook. Why do you think this is? If Peter Pan ever grew up, would he be more like Captain Hook or more like Mr. Darling? Discuss.
- Write a letter to your favorite actors from this production. Tell them what you liked about the play, their performance, etc. Mail your letters to: The Barter Players c/o Barter Theatre P.O. Box 867 Abingdon, VA 24212- ATTN: Peter Pan
- This play, Peter Pan , is adapted from a well-known children’s story. Pick another favorite childhood story: Goldilocks and the Three Bears , Little Red Riding Hood , etc. Divide the class into groups and assign each group a scene from the story. Have each group adapt their scene into the scene for a play. Try to avoid using a narrator. Instead, tell the story through action and dialogue (conversation between two or more people). Now have each group present their scene in chronological order. Is the story told? How different is your play from the fairy tale? How difficult is it to take a piece of literature and turn it into a theatrical event? Discuss.
BUILD A FAIRY HOUSE FOR TINKERBELL! Check out the link below for step-by-step instructions on how to build a happy home for one of literature’s most famous (and favorite) fairies! https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Fairy-House
Color the picture of Captain Hook!
True and False
Write T if the statement is True and F if the statement is False.
- ____ Peter Pan was written by J.M. Barrie.
- ____ Tinkerbell is a grumpy garden gnome.
- ____ Wendy is the younger sister if John and Michael Darling.
- ____ The children’s nurse – Nana – is a dog.
- ____ Tiger Lily is the daughter of Great Big Little Lion.
- ____ Peter Pan is captain of the Jolly Roger.
- ____ Captain Hook has a wooden leg.
- ____ Peter uses fairy (pixie) dust to help the children fly.
- ____ Peter saves Tiger Lily from drowning on Marooner’s Rock.
- ____ Tinkerbell is Wendy’s best friend.
- ____ Nibs is Captain Hook’s first mate.
- ____ Peter Pan can’t wait to grow up.
- ____ Kensington Gardens is where the Lost Boys live.
- ____ Wendy, Michael, and John decide to leave Neverland.
- ____ Mr. and Mrs. Darling adopt Peter Pan.
Matching
Draw a line connecting the person/place in the first column with its corresponding description.
- Jolly Roger a. refuses to grow up
- Smee b. Peter’s sworn enemy
- Crocodile c. Captain Hook’s ship
- Peter Pan d. the Darling’s nurse
- Neverland e. where Lost Boys live
- Captain Hook f. Hook’s first mate
- Nana g. swallowed a clock
