KENSINGTON GARDENS - Peter Pan

How did the experience differ for the audience members between the Pros-Arch set up and the In The Roundset up? And what were the challenges for the actors? Which did they prefer? What do the actors and thedirector need to think about when playing In The Round?Divide into groups of three. Two actors and the third person in each group acting as a director. Ask each groupto stage the scene for an audience in the round. At the end of the session ask the group to re-form the circleand ask for volunteer groups to perform their work.TEXT WORK: Key Stage 4 + A Level Drama or Performing ArtsTanya Ronder’s adaptation of Peter Pan is very true to the spirit of the original Barrie versions. It may be achildren’s story but that doesn’t mean it is simplistic. To get to the heart of each scene, the text still needs to beunpicked and explored by the actors and the director in just the same was as any other script.Exercise 1Ask for two volunteers to read Extract 1 (the opening scene between Wendy and Peter in the Nursery). Who dothey think had the power in this scene? Does it switch between the two characters? When?Ask the students to get into pairs and give each pair a copy of the scene. Both actors should sit on chairsopposite each other and start to read the scene. As each performer gains power in the scene they should standup, then stand on the chair, or, if they feel they are losing power they should sit on the floor or even lie down.Ask some of the pairs to perform this exercise to the rest of the group. This scene is a struggle between thetwo. They are testing each other. The power shifts between them.Exercise 2Apply the same exercise to Extract 2 (the scene between Peter and Wendy in Act 2). How has the dynamicbetween them changed? Why has it changed? Wendy appears to be the more mature. She wants to movetowards an adult world with Peter as a husband figure. Peter still sees her as a mother figure only, ensuringthat he remains a child.Extract 1Peter: (He shows off his shadow)Look, whoo – hoo, its back! Wha-ha-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!(He shows off. His laugh is distinctly bird-like)Oh, the cleverness of me!Wendy: Because, of course, I did nothing.Peter: You did a little.Wendy: Oh? Well, seeing as I’m so useless – goodnight!(She leaps back into bed and pulls the covers over her.Peter hops on to the end of her bed)Peter: (Whispering) Wendy?Wendy: Yes?Peter: I can’t help crowing when I’m pleased with myself.Wendy: It’s conceited.Peter: I know. Wendy, one girl is worth twenty boys.Wendy: You think so?34