Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens

Peter Pan is being performed in Kensington Gardens in London in Summer 2009 in a 1,000+ seater tent. Find out more including how to get there, ticket information and a review.

Show has been extended but must end on 13 September 2009.

Book a Peter Pan Theatre Break online today and enjoy a short break to remember with Superbreak.

Peter Pan has returned home for the first time in over 100 years with a new production of JM Barrie's "Peter Pan", written by Tanya Ronder, performed in a specially designed tent in Kensington Gardens. As JM Barrie wrote:

"Standing on the ledge he could see trees far away, which were doubtless the Kensington Gardens, and the moment he saw them he entirely forgot that he was now a little boy in a nightgown, and away he flew, right over the houses into the Gardens."

This new production of "Peter Pan" is directed by Ben Harrison. A former associate director of the Almeida Theatre, Ben Harrison is one of the world's leading exponents of site-specific theatre. "Peter Pan" is designed by multi-Olivier Award winning William Dudley. He has worked regularly at the Royal National Theatre, the Royal Court Theatre and in the West End and he has an international reputation for his work creating 3D virtual environments. Tanya Ronder has a reputation for outstanding adaptations of classic works including her award-winning "Vernon God Little" for the Young Vic and "Blood Wedding" at the Almeida.

By arrangement with the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and Samuel French Limited, this production of "Peter Pan" will be produced by Charlie Burnell and Mat Churchill.

Find out more about the Peter Pan Statue at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The tent is situated in the meadow between West Carriage Drive and the Long Water, located in the North East of Kensington Gardens near Lancaster Gate tube station. The tent is well signposted within Kensington Gardens.

The circular tent seats 1,100 people and the pavilion is 100% rainproof. The site includes a bar, restaurant and picnic facilities. The bar and picnic area opens two hours before each show -- there's even a 'pick and mix' sweets section for the children!

Performance Times

Tuesday to Saturday: 7.30pm
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: 2pm matinee
Sunday: 3pm matinee

Recommended Age

Considered best for 5 years and over although I saw younger children being admitted. The content does include death and violence, plus loud bangs, so only take those children you think about to deal with the subject. Saying that, all children were transfixed when I visited and we didn't hear anyone get upset.

Prices: £22.50, £32.50, £42.50 and £47.50, with various concessions for children, schools and groups.

Book a Peter Pan Theatre Break online today and enjoy a short break to remember with Superbreak.

Peter Pan Review

JM Barrie lived opposite Kensington Gardens and created the fantasy story for his friends the Llewelyn Davies family. The story is over 100 years old and still engages children and adults alike.

It's worth arriving early as there is an enclosed outdoor seating area for theatergoers and food and drink options are not unreasonably priced (e.g. £3.50 toasted sandwiches).

It's incredible to think the whole theater is only here for a few months as the stage effects are very impressive. The circular stage means everyone has a good view and it feels like a really intimate venue although most nights are sold out with over 1,000 guests. The set is simple but well-designed as actors disappear through holes in trees and beds appear on revolving floors.

Yes, they do! A complex system of wires come down from the roof when needed and the actors clip themselves on and off the wires quickly. The feeling of moving through the air comes from the 360 degree projected movie which whisks you along with them. The audience noticeably gasped as we 'flew' over Kensington Gardens and past London landmarks. My companion felt she had really flown under the Tower of London.

Special credit goes to Mohsen Nouri who operates the animal puppets including a coat-hanger crocodile incarnation but my favorites were Abby Ford as Wendy as she has got the perfect combination of innocent youth and growing pains, and Jonathan Hyde as Captain Hook whose comedy delivery was superb.

I loved the show and can say the sense of make believe was really there. It's magical, spectacular and all similar such adjectives. The audience were captivated throughout and that's not easy to achieve on a day that was one of the hottest London has ever had.

When the punky Tinkerbell (Itxaso Moreno) died from drinking poison Peter Pan asked everyone to save her by whispering "I do believe in fairies" and we did. Yes, everyone. And when she recovered we cheered because we felt we'd actually helped.

When you leave an evening performance and are guided out of a Royal Park by park wardens with flashlights it only adds to the magic.

Better than anything on in the West End right now for families, and better value too. I'll never forget the night I saw Peter Pan alive in his true home of Kensington Gardens.