J. M. Barrie
’s play, Peter Pan, opened in December, 1904.
Many involved with the production wondered what an unsuspecting
and sophisticated first-night audience would make of a girl-boy flying
across the stage to ask them, “Do you believe in fairies? If you believe,
wave your handkerchiefs and clap your hands!”
and sophisticated first-night audience would make of a girl-boy flying
across the stage to ask them, “Do you believe in fairies? If you believe,
wave your handkerchiefs and clap your hands!”
Barrie told the orchestra to be ready to down their instruments and
clap their loudest. When that moment came, on December 27th, 1904,
the audience burst into such overwhelming applause that the actress
playing Peter Pan burst into tears. “The elite of London society,”
wrote one reviewer, “succumbed as one to Barrie’s spell.”
clap their loudest. When that moment came, on December 27th, 1904,
the audience burst into such overwhelming applause that the actress
playing Peter Pan burst into tears. “The elite of London society,”
wrote one reviewer, “succumbed as one to Barrie’s spell.”
– Steve King, Today in Literature
Okay, here’s another way to tell that story:
“A bunch of people were worried that the left brain would win
and the play would be a flop. But the right brain did its thing
and the play was a big success.” That pretty much covers it, right?
Indy