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Date Posted: 13:06:29 01/10/09 Sat
Author: Tootles
Author Host/IP: 82-69-76-6.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk / 82.69.76.6
Subject: Female lead

Hello,

I think it is wonderful that you feel so close to your inner child and congratulate your ability to feel so comfortable in your own skin, not every boy would feel happy wearing tights! As a huge fan of the J. M. Barrie's original Pan (I gave my partner a silver thimble and have a tattoo of an acorn, Peter's return kiss to Wendy) I feel that there are a few facts I could just highlight in defence of the many directors who have had a female lead. Please remember that Peter made his big debut on a stage in London. Wikipedia gives the following reason for the male character being played by a female:

"Traditionally the character has been played on stage by an adult woman (a decision driven primarily by the difficulty of casting actors even younger than the one playing Peter for the other children)"

Thus, the reason for a female to be cast in the role was for logistical matters. The play is now usually performed in the UK as a pantomime, a form of entertainment shown at Christmas. In the majority of pantos it is traditional for the 'principle boy'(in this case Peter Pan) to be played by a female. This is then offset by the 'dame' character, an old woman played by a man in drag. Thus this is actually NOT a comment about sexuality and/or gender roles, but a traditional construct from Peter's country. The dame is often played by a well respected actor. Ian Mckellen, for example (of Lord of the Rings fame) relished playing Widow Twankie (the dame from Aladdin).

In the book, Peter Pan is very masculine. He fights, plays and brags like a quintessential Victorian (English) boy. He is very brave and sees death positively, even though he is scared. However he is very fragile and often has nightmares (though he would never admit it whilst awake!)

If you have never read the book I truly recommend it, it is a classic. Please do not think I criticise, I don't, just wanted to point a few things out!

Regards

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