Wendy & Peter Pan at Barbican Theatre
There have been many adaptations and retellings of J M Barrie’s Peter Pan, and there will probably be many more. Ella Hickson’s version, however, succeeds in doing something utterly magical and entirely memorable. Directed by Jonathan Munby, with sets by Colin Richmond, Wendy & Peter Pan shifts the focus from Peter to Wendy Darling, brilliantly portrayed by Hannah Saxby.
With several young children in the audience, their wide-eyed stupor becoming contagious, this production opens a direct portal to Neverland – exactly as a child might imagine it. From the very first moment, it feels like stepping into a childhood dream: the Darling siblings scurrying across the stage, Peter Pan’s sudden arrival, pirates, explosions, and fairy dust shimmering mid-air.
Hickson’s adaptation is a masterclass in honouring the source material – keeping its heart alive and beating – while remaining faithful to her own vision. Here, the story unfolds through Wendy’s eyes, placing her girlhood at the centre. The writing is as powerful as the silences: those moments when quiet seems to cap every head like snow, such as during Tom’s illness and eventual passing.
At its core, this is a story about loss, grief, and how children process such emotions, both in solitude and with the uncertain guidance of adults who are, often, just as lost and clueless.
The parallel between Wendy’s journey and her mother’s (Lolita Chakrabarti) is beautifully written and visually realised through Richmond’s remarkable set design. The two women – one in Neverland, the other in London – undertake separate yet connected missions, both weighed down by grief while striving to care for others. Toby Stephens’s dual performance as Mr Darling and Captain Hook is entirely convincing, bringing nuance and depth to both roles. His scenes with Smee (Scott Karim) provide moments of well-timed comic relief and laughter.
If there is a weakness, it lies in the pacing of certain sequences. The battle scenes, while visually impressive, occasionally drag on for longer than necessary. Likewise, Hook’s modern slang – lines such as “Did he slide into your DMs?” – feels unnecessary and out of place.
This Wendy & Peter Pan is a delightfully tender, imaginative, and deeply human reimagining of a timeless classic. It reminds audiences that while growing up may be inevitable, it’s okay to hold onto the magic of childhood. Even if just for one night.
Benedetta Mancusi
Photos: Manual Harlan
Wendy & Peter Pan is at Barbican Theatre until 22nd November 2025. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.
Watch the trailer for Wendy & Peter Pan at Barbican Theatre here:
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