Character Breakdown

​We are planning an intimate production. Rather than attempting to reproduce a large-scale Broadway production, we are interested in creating something theatrical, imaginative and very much our own—with actors helping to create the world around them.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR ACTORS WHO...

• love musical theatre

• are strong singers and/or compelling character actors

• enjoy physical and imaginative storytelling

• are comfortable working as an ensemble

• are willing to transform from one character into another

• bring generosity, playfulness and curiosity to the rehearsal room

CASTING NOTE

While several characters are traditionally written as male or female, we are open to gender-flexible casting for a number of roles.

In particular, we are excited to explore the possibility of a woman playing Captain Hook. Hook is a larger-than-life creation of Barrie's imagination, and we are interested in a bold, theatrical interpretation of the role.

We also welcome performers of any gender for the Davies boys who are comfortable portraying young boys.

Please don't decide that there isn't a role for you before we do!

PRINCIPAL ROLES

J.M. BARRIE

Male-presenting | 30s–40s

A successful Scottish playwright with a rebellious spirit, enormous imagination and a mischievous sense of humor. The central character and principal male singing role. An excellent musical-theatre singer and strong dramatic and comic actor. Scottish accent preferred.

SYLVIA LLEWELYN DAVIES

Female-presenting | Late 20s–30s

A widow and mother of four boys. Intelligent, warm, independent and imaginative. Sylvia understands Barrie's unconventional spirit and becomes his muse and friend. A major singing role requiring a strong, expressive singer and emotionally grounded actress.

CHARLES FROHMAN

Male-presenting | 40s–60s

A powerful American theatrical impresario and Barrie's friend and champion. Larger than life, theatrical, funny and deeply committed to the theatre. Strong character actor with a good singing voice.

CAPTAIN HOOK

Gender-flexible | 40s–60s

A flamboyant, wickedly funny and slightly dangerous creation of Barrie's imagination. A wonderful opportunity for a character actor with enormous stage presence, comic timing and a distinctive singing voice. We are particularly interested in exploring a female interpretation of Hook.

MARY BARRIE

Female-presenting | Late 20s–40s

Barrie's wife. Proper and practical on the surface, but with considerable emotional depth underneath. She struggles with Barrie's absorption in his work and imagination. A strong actress who sings.

MRS. DU MAURIER

Female-presenting | 50s–70s

Sylvia's formidable mother. Intelligent, opinionated, socially proper and wonderfully dry. Initially suspicious of Barrie, she gradually reveals a more tender side. A terrific character role for an actress with comic timing and presence.

THE DAVIES BOYS

We are looking for four young actors who can sing, act and play together as a believable group of brothers.

PETER

Male-presenting; actors of any gender welcome | approximately 8–11

Thoughtful, guarded and deeply affected by the death of his father. Peter initially resists Barrie's imagination but gradually discovers the freedom of play. A particularly strong young actor and singer.

GEORGE

Male-presenting; actors of any gender welcome | approximately 11–14

The oldest and most responsible of the boys. Sensible and protective of his brothers, but still a child at heart.

JACK

Male-presenting; actors of any gender welcome | approximately 9–12

Mischievous, funny and always ready for trouble. Looking for a young performer with personality and comic timing.

MICHAEL

Male-presenting; actors of any gender welcome | approximately 6–9

The youngest of the boys—curious, exuberant and completely uninhibited. A charismatic young performer who loves to play.

SUPPORTING ROLES

We are also casting Lord Cannan, Turpin, Elliot, Mr. Cromer, Mr. Henshaw, Miss Basset, Miss Jones.

Our ensemble will help create the world of London, the theatre, and Barrie's imagination. Ensemble members may become Londoners, theatre actors, party guests, pirates, Lost Boys and characters from Peter Pan.

Strong singers, movers, dancers, character actors and physical performers are encouraged to audition.

Several of these roles are gender-flexible.

A NOTE ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION

Finding Neverland is, at its heart, a story about the power of imagination.

And that's how we want to approach the production.

The Eclipse Grange Theatre is an intimate space, and we don't intend to fight that. We want to use it. We are interested in a production in which actors, music, movement, light and imagination create the world together.

You may not see a giant ship.

You may see a chair become a ship.

You may not see an enormous London street.

You may see the actors create it.

And you may find yourself only a few feet away from Neverland.

If that sounds like the kind of theatre you would like to make, we would love to see you.

Come play with us.