Directed by Joseph Bentley
Musical Direction by Maria Dunn
Audition Date
Sunday 4th October 2026, 2pm - 5pm
Production Dates
12th - 19th December 2026
Evening performances: 12th, 15th - 19th December 2026
Matinee Performances: 12th, 13th and 19th December 2026
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will start from 1st November 2026
(probably Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons)If you are unable to make the audition date and for more information and audition pieces, please contact Joseph on jobaho@hotmail.com
Chasing his runaway shadow, a mischievous boy who refuses to grow up crash-lands into the life of a headstrong girl determined to become an adult. With a sprinkle of fairy dust, they soar towards Neverland, encountering pirates, mermaids, magic, and mayhem along the way. Bursting with adventure, heart, unexpected twists, and a few festive songs, this fresh take on a beloved classic celebrates friendship, family, and finding where you belong. Get ready for one awfully big adventure!
This will be a return to BLT’s tradition of staging adaptations of classic children’s books for family audiences at Christmas. It will be full of fun and laughter, and I promise that anyone involved will have a tremendous time. After all, what is Christmas without an exciting theatrical adventure?!
The adaptation is written for a cast of twenty-four actors, but I am hoping to double some parts up to reduce to a maximum of twenty. There are some very large roles, some medium roles, and some smaller ones, but everyone will have plenty to do and be crucial to the ensemble. The very tiny roles we will not audition for and will double them with actors post-casting.
Music will be integral to this production. Only a few characters are required to sing solo pieces, but all characters will need to sing in ensemble pieces. Please don’t be put off if singing isn’t something you’re confident in. We are not looking for perfect singing voices, just an ability to carry a tune and deliver a performance accompanied by music. Our priority is to find the right actors for the roles. However, if you are cast and you are a singer, then we’d love to use your skills!
There will be some light choreography to accompany some of the songs. Again, please don’t be put off if this isn’t something that you’re confident in, we are looking for the right actors who are happy to move a little, there won’t be overly-complicated dance pieces.
Please also note that many characters do not need to be cast with strict adherence to genders as originally written by Barrie. Many characters have been reinterpreted, and some gender switches are required or actively encouraged by the text.
All characters will require close contact, so we will have an intimacy coordinator to support with this. Close contact will involve familial touching, including hugging, and physical fighting.
These characters are far too famous to need much introduction, and please note that the specified playing ages are simply that, and I would consider anyone if they can convincingly play the roles. Specifically, I will be casting adult actors, even for the children based on audition turnout.
NB - There are restrictions on how we can use youth performers so I can only consider performers aged 17 and over.
BLT actively encourages auditionees from ethnic minority communities and any of the below parts could be played by any race.
You do not have to be a member of the company to audition, but if you are cast you must join.
Characters
Peter - Our flawed but well-meaning hero. He is energetic, excitable, adventurous, stubborn, and a trifle arrogant. Needs to be comfortable with movement and singing solo. Close contact required with Wendy, including almost kissing and dancing. Male presenting. Playing age 10-14
Wendy - On the cusp of adolescence, maturing at pace while also clinging to the joy and fun of childhood. She leads the show, initially rebelling against her mother’s parenting, but learning, in time, how hard it is to be a mother. Needs to be comfortable singing solo. Close contact required with Peter, including almost kissing and dancing. Female presenting. Playing age 14
John - The middle Darling child. Desperate to be a man, but still deeply wrapped up in a world of make-believe and adventure. Male presenting but would consider any gender for casting. Younger than Wendy
Michael - The youngest Darling child. Innocent and playful. Looks up to his siblings and is full of wonder and excitement. Male presenting but would consider any gender for casting. Younger than John
Mrs Darling/Captain Hook - An unusual double, but perfect for this adaptation, providing a foil for Wendy (and Peter) in both worlds. Mrs Darling is an attentive and loving mother and wife trying to balance the demands of her family to the point of exhaustion. Captain Hook is devious and the very model of villainy. Her primary goal is to capture and kill Peter and the Lost Boys. Wonderful opportunities for comedy and tragedy. Female presenting. Playing age 40 plus
Mr Darling/Smee - Mr Darling is a loving father and husband, but doesn’t always get the balance right, occasionally dissolving order rather than creating it, much to the delight of the children and the exasperation of his wife. Smee is Hook’s boatswain, rather hapless and bungling but oddly charming. Male presenting. Playing age 40 plus
Nana/Noodler - Nana is the Darlings’ family dog and nurse maid to the children. Noodler is Hook’s dog. Both very loving and attentive animals, with Noodler being just a tad mischievous. These will be played by an actor, not as puppets. Any gender. Playing age Any
Tinkerbell - Peter’s fairy companion. Adores Peter more than anyone, and is hugely jealous of Wendy. They will be represented by light and bells operated by an actor who will perform the role for the audience. Brilliant opportunity for physical comedy. They have no ‘lines’ but will have every opportunity to steal the show. They do not have to be played traditionally - they do not have to have a traditional fairy look. We could blindside the audience with something very unexpected… Any gender. Playing age Any
Tiger Lily - Reimagined as a roaming vigilante Lone Ranger-type character. An ally to Peter and the Lost Boys. Proudly independent and will not conform to expectations. Female presenting. Playing age 14-20
Gran - A sweet and loving grandmother who tells the story of the Darlings and Peter Pan to Ralph. She may be more connected to the story than we first realise… Female presenting. Playing age 60 plus
Ralph - Gran’s grandson who is far too excited to go to bed on Christmas Eve. He is full of wonder and captivation, being the audience’s eyes and voice on stage. Male presenting but would consider any gender for casting. Playing age 6 plus
Lost Boys - Nibs, Tootles, Slightly, Curly, and the Twins. They don’t need individual introductions. Please read them and bring your own slant on these roles. I’m looking for actors who can bring their own ideas together so we can piece together the perfect dysfunctional gang. Any gender - this is actively encouraged in the script, even drawing attention to their misrepresentation, being called ‘boys’. Playing age 10 plus
Pirates - Starkey, Jukes, Cecco, and Cookson. As with the Lost Boys, please bring us your own imagination on these roles. They appear regularly and will need actors to truly make them their own. I want to see your ideas so we can assemble the most catastrophic crew of buccaneers you have ever seen. Please feel free to experiment with accents if you are comfortable to. Cecco should have an Italian accent. Any gender. Playing age Any (Adult)