Wendy and Peter Pan
this weekend in London
Wendy takes centre stage in a flying family adventure through Neverland, pirates and the pain of growing up.
Things to Know Before You Go
Updated: Thu 16 Jul, 18:00 London time
Is there a Saturday matinee for Wendy and Peter Pan this weekend?
No Saturday performance this weekend.
What time does the Wendy and Peter Pan Sunday show start this weekend?
No Sunday performance this weekend.
What's the cheapest Wendy and Peter Pan performance this weekend?
Check the performance list above for prices.
How is this different from the standard Peter Pan you'd see in panto season?
Significantly. Ella Hickson's adaptation puts Wendy at the centre — the title isn't decoration — and reframes the Darling family with a grief at its heart that the children's-book version doesn't carry. The flying, sword fights and Captain Hook are all present, but the play asks what Wendy is actually flying away from. It's an RSC production; the writing rewards attention rather than coasting on spectacle.
Toby Stephens as Captain Hook — what kind of Hook?
Lower-voiced, drier, more wounded than the cartoon villain. Stephens plays Hook closer to a damaged grown-up than to a panto threat — his cruelty has shape and his fear of the crocodile is genuine. Children find him a proper villain; adults read the more interesting layer underneath. The doubling tradition (Hook and Mr Darling played by the same actor) is preserved, and Stephens makes the link land.
Barbican Theatre — practical notes on the venue itself?
The Barbican's main theatre is a 1980s thrust stage with surprisingly intimate sightlines for its size; almost every seat is good and the upper tier is not the punishment it would be in a proscenium house. Getting there is the trick — the Barbican Centre is a small labyrinth and arriving twenty minutes early is the realistic plan, especially with children. Café in the foyer is fine for a pre-show meal; the lake-side terrace is better in summer.
Is Wendy and Peter Pan suitable for younger children?
The production is generally recommended for children aged seven and above. It features moments of peril, emotional themes and some darker scenes involving Captain Hook and the pirates. Most school-aged children who are comfortable with classic adventure stories should cope well, but babes in arms are not admitted.
How does Wendy and Peter Pan differ from the traditional Peter Pan?
While all the familiar elements are present – Peter, Tink, the Lost Boys, Hook and Neverland itself – this version places Wendy at the heart of the story. Her feelings, decisions and relationships drive the narrative, giving the tale a more modern sensibility and a stronger emotional spine without losing the sense of fun.
What kind of staging can we expect?
The show features large-scale set pieces, including flying sequences, pirate battles and magical transformations. Designed for family audiences, the production uses inventive stagecraft rather than heavy special effects, which keeps the focus on the performers while still delivering plenty of visual excitement.
How long does the performance last?
Wendy and Peter Pan runs for approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, including an interval. This gives families time to take a break, use the facilities and discuss favourite moments before the adventure continues.
Is this a good choice if we have already seen a traditional Peter Pan?
Yes. This version offers enough familiarity to satisfy fans of the original while providing a fresh angle that keeps the story surprising. It is particularly rewarding for older children and adults who enjoy seeing classic tales re-examined and deepened for contemporary audiences.
About this show
Fly back to Neverland from a fresh, female point of view in Wendy and Peter Pan, Ella Hickson’s imaginative retelling of J. M. Barrie’s classic. In this RSC production, Wendy steps firmly into the centre of the story, swapping the nursery window for a daring quest that explores grief, courage and the bittersweet business of growing up.
Joined by Peter, Tink, Tiger Lily and the Lost Boys, Wendy soars through the night sky, battles pirates and confronts the diabolical Captain Hook in a staging filled with flying, sword fights and theatrical magic. A big-hearted family adventure with real emotional depth, Wendy and Peter Pan brings beloved characters to life while asking what it truly means to hold on – and when it might be time to let go.
Other plays this weekend
My Neighbour Totoro
Stranger Things : The First Shadow
Museum Tours This Weekend
British Museum
Tower of London
Madame Tussauds London
Tate Modern
Attraction Tours This Weekend
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London (Harry Potter)
Windsor Castle
Westminster Abbey
