Peter's flying high

Based on the best selling novel by award winning author Geraldine McCaughrean, this is the official sequel to J M Barrie’s Peter Pan.

The show is set in the late 1920s during the reign of George V and following World War I.

The story sees the return of Wendy Darling, her brother John and also Nibs, Slightly, Tootles, the Twins and Curly, who were once Peter Pan’s Lost Boys and were adopted by Mr and Mrs Darling at the end of Peter and Wendy.

The novel opens with John Darling suffering from vivid, realistic dreams about Neverland.

The former Lost Boys and Wendy have been having similar dreams, and Wendy realises that bombs from the Great War have punched holes through their world into Neverland, and dreams and ideas are filtering through.

Pirates and mermaids, war paint and crocodiles - the dreams tell them that something must be wrong, and their friend Peter Pan needs their help.

So Wendy and the Lost Boys, now known as Old Boys, put on their children’s clothes and, armed only with fairy dust, fly back to Neverland for one last adventure.

Currently in rehearsal the cast will use silks (see picture) to fly across the stage during the show.

Peter Pan in Scarlet was originally commissioned by Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity to whom Barrie gifted all rights to the character and original writings in 1929.

Ms McCaughrean was selected to write the sequel following a competition launched in 2004, in which novelists were invited to submit a sample chapter and plot outline.

This is the first stage adaptation of the book and has been created jointly by the New Vic Theatre and Oxford Playhouse, with adaptation and direction by Theresa Heskins.

An award winning team include aerial director Vicki Amedume, designer Liz Cooke and artistic director of circus theatre company Upswing, composer and musical director James Atherton.

Peter Pan will be played by Isaac Stanmore whose credits include Robin Hood and Dracula. Wendy will be played by Rebecca Killick who has performed in Warhorse at the National Theatre.

Peter Pan In Scarlet is at the Playhouse at various times from Friday August 12 through to Sunday September 4. Tickets cost from £11.50 to £24 (family tickets are available) and can be bought from the box office, 01865 305305 or online at www.oxfordplayhouse.com

There is an age guideline of eight plus.