Peter Pan for Young Performers

Leading narration makes this version of Peter Pan the perfect choice for young children and emerging readers. Familiar characters and a simple setting make this short play a joyful introduction to performing. Follow Peter and Tinkerbell to Neverland where Wendy and her brothers have breakfast with the Lost Kids, battle pirates, and of course, make Captain Hook walk the plank. Simple songs are provided to make this play even more fun.

Playwright Bio:

Jennifer Reif has taught, directed, and performed around the Pacific Northwest for decades. Her shelves are lined with children’s books, and her happy place is in the woods. She loves devising creative theatre projects with kids and sharing ideas with teachers. Jennifer holds her BA in Theatre from Morningside College and also studied at Oxford University in England.

More Peter Pan Plays on Drama Notebook:

The Shadow of Peter Pan
Peter Pan and the Lost Girl
Peter Pan in Thirty Minutes
Whitney Darling, a Modern Peter Pan Play
Peter Pan

Excerpt from the play:

CHARACTERS: 13+
Narrator
Peter Pan
Tinkerbell

DARLING SIBLINGS
Wendy
John
Michael

PIRATES
Captain Hook
Smee
Starkey
Noodles

LOST KIDS
Tootles
Nibs
Curly

*To expand the cast size, consider adding more pirates, lost kids, or even fairy assistants. To make it smaller, consider eliminating some pirates, lost kids, or Tinkerbell.

SCENE 1

NARRATOR
Once upon a time, there lived a family with three children: Wendy, John, and Michael.

(The children rush on in that order and begin playing tag.)

One night their parents went out for the evening. The children were excited to sleep in the playroom. That is until Wendy said…

WENDY
Time for bed.

MICHAEL
But I’m not tired at all. (yawns)

WENDY
I know. But we promised Mother and Father we would go to bed on time.

JOHN
Oh, Wendy, you’re no fun.

WENDY
Well, I’m the oldest and I say it’s time for bed.

NARRATOR
They saluted their sister and said,

JOHN and MICHAEL
(They salute) Aye, aye, Captain!

NARRATOR
And they all snuggled in to sleep on the playroom floor.
They said goodnight to each other…

CHILDREN
Good night.

NARRATOR
And in no time at all the children were fast asleep.

While the children were dreaming away, something magical happened. A spritely boy flew through their playroom window in search of his shadow.

(Peter enters and starts looking about for his shadow.)

He grew very frustrated and sad and began to cry.

(Peter cries quietly)

Just then Wendy awoke and said,

WENDY
Why are you crying?

PETER
Because I can’t get my shadow to stick on.

NARRATOR
Wendy felt sorry for the boy, so she said,

WENDY
Would you like me to sew it back on?

NARRATOR
Peter said,

PETER
Yes, please!

NARRATOR
So Wendy took a needle and thread and began to sew Peter’s shadow back on. While she was sewing, Peter asked,

PETER
What is your name?

WENDY
My name is Wendy. What’s your name?

PETER
Peter Pan.

NARRATOR
Then Wendy asked where he lived.

WENDY
Where do you live?

PETER
Second star on the right and straight on till morning. (pointing out into the distance)

NARRATOR
Wendy thought that was a funny address and began to giggle.

(Wendy giggles)

As soon as she finished sewing his shadow back on, Peter was so happy he began to crow like a rooster.

(Peter crows)

NARRATOR
Then Peter asked Wendy if she wanted to fly to Neverland.

PETER
Do you want to fly to Neverland?

WENDY
I don’t know how to fly.

PETER
Tinkerbell and I can teach you.

WENDY
Who is Tinkerbell?

PETER
My fairy.

WENDY
You know fairies?

NARRATOR
And just then Tinkerbell appeared.

TINKERBELL
Here I am.