Wendy’s Bedroom

A modern young girl’s bedroom. By her bed is a table with a beside light on it. A large bed is (SR) A large wardrobe is (SL) A large window to the night sky is in the centre at the back.

FX:

We hear Big Ben strike midnight.

Wendy – young thoroughly modern, not overly-‘girlish’, lies in bed in the dark. With a sigh she sits up and flicks on her bedside light, illuminating her room with a golden glow. A moment later there is a gentle knock on the door. Mrs Darling comes in.

Jane

Wendy? I saw the light in under your door. Can’t you sleep dear?

Wendy

I can’t stop thinking about tomorrow. I can’t believe we’re going to lose this house. Poor Dad is so upset about it, and still he’s trying to pretend he’s not.

Jane

Your father hasn’t been the same since the bank fired him, and yes, losing this house that has been in the family for two hundred years or more is hurting him deeply. But we’ll get by. I’m lucky I have my job at the flower shop and John will get another job soon.

Wendy

They make you work so many hours now! I wish I could help. All I can get is a paper round!

A knock at the door. Mr Darling comes in.

John

(forced enthusiasm) What’s this? A midnight party. Aren’t I invited?

Wendy

Hi Dad.

Jane

Wendy was worried about tomorrow.

Mr Darling sits down on the edge of the bed.

John

I really wish we could stay here but…losing my job means we can’t afford the rates anymore. I’m very sorry though my dear.

Wendy

Oh I’m not blaming you, really I’m not!

A much louder knock on the door.

All

Come in Nana!

Nana, a middle aged ‘lady’ in an over-sized, old-fashioned nightgown, huge furry animal slippers, towel around the head and skincream all over her face.

Nana

Ahem! What’s all this late night nattering? I’m in the midst of applying a new beauty treatement I read about in Pig Farmers Gazette! A nightly rhubarb and pickle facial scrub. Come the morning I’ll be transformed into a fairytale princess!

John

(whispers to Wendy) Either that or a Subway sandwich!

Wendy

(upset) What will happen to Nana when you can’t afford to pay her anymore?

Nana sidles up to her, sensing the mood.

Nana

Listen muggins! This pair haven’t been able to pay my salary for nearly three months! If I didn’t love them and you so much I’d be off to Hollywood to show Brad Pitt what a real woman looks like!

Wendy

You mean…

John

Nana has asked to stay on and look after you free of charge wherever we end up.

Wendy

Oh thank you Nana. It would be that much better if you were still there. You’re like a really, really big sister to me.

Nana

Well it was either stay on here vacuuming carpets, washing socks and cleaning toilets, or accept that job as Mayor of London. I thought about it but...I'd get more respect here.

Jane

Wherever we end up, it’s important to keep our spirits up. For we never really know what the morning will bring. Anything is possible. Every day is like a brand new life. And it’s up to you to make it a good one!

Music Cue 1: Wendy, John, Jane, and Nana sing a song about being positive and using the imagination. They dance around the bedroom doing their best to put a smile of Wendy’s face. They succeed. After number ends…

John

Well, it’s getting very late. And, well…we have a busy day tomorrow. Goodnight dear.

Everybody slumps as they remember. John Darling sadly leaves (SL)

Nana

Oh well. Perhaps Brad Pitt will have me as his personal trainer. Underneath all this flab I have abs like a draining board. Goodnight dear.

Sadly, Nana leaves (SL)

Wendy

You don’t believe all that stuff about 'anything is possible' do you?

Jane

Of course. It bothers me that you don’t seem to believe in anything beyond what’s right in front of you. If you use your imagination…

Wendy

What's the good of an imagination? We are going to have to move out of this house tomorrow.

Jane

(sternly) Wendy Margaret Darling! If you forget your imagination, your life will be a grey and terrible thing.

Wendy

But it’s so silly to play make-believe.

Jane

Then it’s time for a story. Did you ever hear the story of Peter Pan?

Wendy

I…I think so. It seems familiar.

Jane

I told it to you every year when you were growing up, but later you said you were too old to believe in such things. It broke my heart to hear you say that.

Wendy

Then tell me again.

Jane

Peter Pan was a magical boy who lived in a far away place called Never Never Land, where anything was possible if you just used your imagination. Peter was the Boy Who Never Grew Up. He never wanted to be an adult, and if you lived in Never Neverland...

Wendy

Anything is possible?

Jane

Precisely. (getting caught up in the story) He spent his days having amazing, wild, wonderful adventures.Peter had a terrible enemy though,a vicious, bloodthirsty pirate called Captain Hook, who has a sharp metal hook for a hand because Peter has cut off his hand with his sword during a fight and…

Wendy

MumI’m suppose I am too old for children’s stories. I’m sorry but I’m really sleepy.

Jane

(disappointed) Oh. I see. Well…goodnight dear.

Dismayed Jane goes to leave (SL) then she stops and turns.

Jane

(solemnly) I never said Peter Pan was just a children’s story.

Wendy

What do you mean?

Jane

Wendy, this is your last chance to save your imagination, the thing that keeps the child alive inside all of us. Peter Pan can be as real as you or me…if you choose to believe in him. That’s all I’m going to say. Goodnight dear.

Wendy

(confused) Er, goodnight Mum.

Jane leaves (SL) Wendy sits in bed confused.

Wendy

What did she mean by that? It’s silly to believe in things like magical boys, pirates, and far away places were anything is possible. That’s kids stuff and I’m…nearly a grown-up. (thinks for a moment) All right then. For the last time, just for tonight, I’ll say it out loud. Anything is possible. I do believe in magic…and I do believe in Peter Pan. (silence – nothing happens) Huh! So much for that.

Irritated she turns her bedside light off and turns over and goes to sleep.

Music Cue 2: ‘Something is Coming’ Eerie/thrilling music builds.

FX:

Flashing lights, smoke. Then Doctor Who‘s ‘Tardis’ sound is clearlyheard.

A Giant Book, dark green in colour, taller than a man and thick as a wardrobe, bearing the title 'Peter Pan' in big gold letters appears on (SL – either pushed on or lowered from ceiling. It has false back to allow actors to get inside it from (SL)

FX:

Thunder crack

The front cover slowly opens and more smoke billows out, lit by flashing gold light from inside the book. Peter Pan, clad in dark leaf-green and gold costume warily climbs out with thrilled look on his face. Perhaps twelve years old, he lives for adventure and it shows! Gingerly he creeps into the room and looks around.

Peter

I'm back! I’m here again! I’d forgotten all about it! It’s Janes room! Tinkerbell. Come and look!