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Pirates

on Stage

Pirate characters and stories have long appeared on the stage. As long as there has been written text and live performance, they have featured as plot elements in stories dating back to ancient times. It was however the Golden Age of Piracy, in the 17th and 18th centuries, that would inspire and bring a new breed of pirate characters and stories to the stage.

This popular form of entertainment would continue to be made through to the romantic period at the beginning of the 19th century, and into the Victorian era and early 20th century before the advent of cinema would ultimately prove more popular.

Pirate characters and stories have long appeared on the stage. As long as there has been written text and live performance, they have featured as plot elements in stories dating back to ancient times. It was however the Golden Age of Piracy, in the 17th and 18th centuries, that would inspire and bring a new breed of pirate characters and stories to the stage.

This popular form of entertainment would continue to be made through to the romantic period at the beginning of the 19th century, and into the Victorian era and early 20th century before the advent of cinema would ultimately prove more popular.

History of Pirates on Stage

Pirate productions in the theatre would be presented in many forms; from musical comedy, to sea-going melodrama. All of these romantic style plays were musical dramas, but there was a huge difference in how the music was used. Sometimes it could feature dance and song, sometimes a full-blown operatic performance, or simply to convey mood within the piece.

Often the subject of the play would draw from the story of a real-life pirate, such as The Successful Pyrate, a play by Charles Johnson, first performed in 1712 dealing with the life of the pirate Henry Every.

Another notorious character was Edward ‘Blackbeard’ Teach who featured in a successful musical play in 1798 called The Captive Princess by James Cartwright Cross, one of the most celebrated playwrights of pirate melodrama during the period.

James Cross went on to write more successful pirate plays, including one about the privateer and explorer Sir Francis Drake, which did not follow the romantic, sweetened historical version of his story.

Stage interpretations of the favourite novels of the day were also very popular with theatre audiences.

Among them was The Red Rover, a novel by American writer James Fenimore Cooper written in 1827. Just 44 days after publication, the first of three theatrical adaptations was performed in Philadelphia. Soon after, four different productions were being performed in England – all making their debuts in 1829.

However, the best-known authors of pirate literature were Lord Byron and Sir Walter Scott. They both found their romantic maritime stories being quickly adapted for hungry theatre audiences.

“…you knew me to be a sailor of fortune, an adventurer, a buccaneer, or, if you will have the broad word, a PIRATE”

The Pirate, Sir Walter Scott

“…you knew me to be a sailor of fortune, an adventurer, a buccaneer, or, if you will have the broad word, a PIRATE”

The Pirate, Sir Walter Scott

When Lord Byron’s poem The Corsair was published in 1814, queues formed at booksellers and 10,000 copies were sold on the first day, resulting in the story being quickly adapted for the theatre.

A stage production in 1821 called The Pirate of the Isles featured Turkish guards achieving their victory over pirates by galloping into the arena as a mounted cavalry. Even without the horses, the adaptation continued to be performed around the country for the next 20 years.

Illustration of Lord Byron alongside a picture of his 1814 poem The Corsair
Illustration of Walter Scott alongside a cover of his 1821 book The Pirate

When Walter Scott released The Pirate in 1821, it prompted a race among several theatres to be the first to offer their unique version of the maritime fiction. A full script was prepared, rehearsed, and performed within two weeks, and two more versions were on the stage by the third week. All three versions took a very different approach when adapting the story, however they all featured music and song which was seen as crucial to the pirate genre.

The first known pirate play in Britain was Fortune by Land and Sea in the Jacobean era, 1607. By the time one of the last, Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up premiered in 1904, over 130 original pirate productions had been staged, featuring everything from romance to revenge, royalty to slaves and even ghost ships!

When Lord Byron’s poem The Corsair was published in 1814, queues formed at booksellers and 10,000 copies were sold on the first day, resulting in the story being quickly adapted for the theatre.

A stage production in 1821 called The Pirate of the Isles featured Turkish guards achieving their victory over pirates by galloping into the arena as a mounted cavalry. Even without the horses, the adaptation continued to be performed around the country for the next 20 years.

Illustration of Lord Byron alongside a picture of his 1814 poem The Corsair
Illustration of Walter Scott alongside a cover of his 1821 book The Pirate

When Walter Scott released The Pirate in 1821, it prompted a race among several theatres to be the first to offer their unique version of the maritime fiction. A full script was prepared, rehearsed, and performed within two weeks, and two more versions were on the stage by the third week. All three versions took a very different approach when adapting the story, however they all featured music and song which was seen as crucial to the pirate genre.

The first known pirate play in Britain was Fortune by Land and Sea in the Jacobean era, 1607. By the time one of the last, Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up premiered in 1904, over 130 original pirate productions had been staged, featuring everything from romance to revenge, royalty to slaves and even ghost ships!

The Pirates of Penzance

Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance, tells the story of a band of soft-tempered pirates. It remains as popular with audiences today as it was when it was first performed over 140 years ago.

With music by Arthur Sullivan and lyrics by W. S. Gilbert, The Pirates of Penzance was conceived and written in 1878 when fiction and plays about pirates were at their most poular. Both Walter Scott’s The Pirate and James Fenimore Cooper’s The Red Rover were key sources of inspiration for the romanticised, dashing image of the repentant pirates.

It was first performed on stage at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York on 31 December 1879, making its London debut on 3 April 1880 at the Opera Comique where it ran for 363 performances. The play was hugely popular with both audiences and critics alike during both opening nights.

Posters for The Pirates of Penzance comic opera

“The Fifth Avenue Theatre was crowded last night, and laughter rang loud and long. The splendid audience assembled to see ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ witnessed a most brilliant and complete success.”

Review in The New York Tribune, 1st January 1880

The Pirates of Penzance

Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance, tells the story of a band of soft-tempered pirates. It remains as popular with audiences today as it was when it was first performed over 140 years ago.

With music by Arthur Sullivan and lyrics by W. S. Gilbert, The Pirates of Penzance was conceived and written in 1878 when fiction and plays about pirates were at their most poular. Both Walter Scott’s The Pirate and James Fenimore Cooper’s The Red Rover were key sources of inspiration for the romanticised, dashing image of the repentant pirates.

It was first performed on stage at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York on 31 December 1879, making its London debut on 3 April 1880 at the Opera Comique where it ran for 363 performances. The play was hugely popular with both audiences and critics alike during both opening nights.

Posters for The Pirates of Penzance comic opera
“The Fifth Avenue Theatre was crowded last night, and laughter rang loud and long. The splendid audience assembled to see ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ witnessed a most brilliant and complete success.”
Review in The New York Tribune, 1st January 1880

Cast of an amateur production, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1885

Cast of an amateur production, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1885

Various posters for The Pirates Of Penzance stage shows
1981 production of Pirates of Penzance by Joseph Papp

In 1981 American theatrical producer and director Joseph Papp brought a brand new production of Pirates of Penzance to Broadway. With an updated musical score and new choreography it ran for 787 performances – the longest run for any Gilbert and Sullivan show in history. This take on Pirates earned enthusiastic reviews and seven Tony Award nominations, winning three, including the award for Best Revival. In 1983 a film adaptation was made featuring much of the Broadway cast, including star Kevin Kline in the role of Pirate king.

Performance of the show in Melbourne, Australia, 2013

Performance of the show in Melbourne, Australia, 2013

London Coliseum performance, 2015

London Coliseum performance, 2015

Stage show poster for The Pirates Of Penzance
Stage show poster for The Pirates Of Penzance
Stage show poster for The Pirates Of Penzance
Stage show poster for The Pirates Of Penzance
1981 production of Pirates of Penzance by Joseph Papp

In 1981 American theatrical producer and director Joseph Papp brought a brand new production of Pirates of Penzance to Broadway. With an updated musical score and new choreography it ran for 787 performances – the longest run for any Gilbert and Sullivan show in history. This take on Pirates earned enthusiastic reviews and seven Tony Award nominations, winning three, including the award for Best Revival. In 1983 a film adaptation was made featuring much of the Broadway cast, including star Kevin Kline in the role of Pirate king.

Performance of the show in Melbourne, Australia, 2013

Performance of the show in Melbourne, Australia, 2013

London Coliseum performance, 2015

London Coliseum performance, 2015

Peter Pan

Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie made famous in his 1904 play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up. It features one of the most notorious literary Pirates, Captain James Hook.

The Story

The Peter Pan character first appeared in print in author J.M. Barrie’s 1902 novel The Little White Bird, written for adults. Following the success of his 1904 stage play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, Barrie adapted the play into a 1911 novel Peter and Wendy, often now published simply as Peter Pan.

A free spirited and mischievous young boy who can fly and who never grows up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood having adventures on the magical island of Neverland as the leader of the Lost Boys, interacting with fairies, pirates, mermaids and Native Americans.

Posters for peter Pan stage productions
Illustration of Captain Hook

Captain James Hook, the pirate and antagonist of the story and its various adaptations, is Peter’s arch-enemy. Hook is the pirate captain of the Jolly Roger and Barrie identifies him as a former bosun of Blackbeard the Pirate. A bosun, or boatswain, is a ship’s officer and is in charge of the on-board equipment and the crew.

Hook’s two principal fears are the sight of his own blood (supposedly an unnatural colour) and the crocodile who pursues him after eating his hand which was cut off by Pan. An iron hook replaced his severed hand, which gave the pirate his name. After getting a taste of Hook, the crocodile pursues him relentlessly and the ticking clock it has also swallowed warns him of its presence.

Hook did not appear in early drafts of the play, but was added in later upon the premise that children were fascinated by pirates. The role of the captain was expanded by Barrie as the story developed.

Peter Pan

Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie made famous in his 1904 play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up. It features one of the most notorious literary Pirates, Captain James Hook.

The Story

The Peter Pan character first appeared in print in author J.M. Barrie’s 1902 novel The Little White Bird, written for adults. Following the success of his 1904 stage play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, Barrie adapted the play into a 1911 novel Peter and Wendy, often now published simply as Peter Pan.

A free spirited and mischievous young boy who can fly and who never grows up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood having adventures on the magical island of Neverland as the leader of the Lost Boys, interacting with fairies, pirates, mermaids and Native Americans.

Posters for peter Pan stage productions
Illustration of Captain Hook

Captain James Hook, the pirate and antagonist of the story and its various adaptations, is Peter’s arch-enemy. Hook is the pirate captain of the Jolly Roger and Barrie identifies him as a former bosun of Blackbeard the Pirate. A bosun, or boatswain, is a ship’s officer and is in charge of the on-board equipment and the crew.

Hook’s two principal fears are the sight of his own blood (supposedly an unnatural colour) and the crocodile who pursues him after eating his hand which was cut off by Pan. An iron hook replaced his severed hand, which gave the pirate his name. After getting a taste of Hook, the crocodile pursues him relentlessly and the ticking clock it has also swallowed warns him of its presence.

Hook did not appear in early drafts of the play, but was added in later upon the premise that children were fascinated by pirates. The role of the captain was expanded by Barrie as the story developed.

Image card of Maude Adams as Peter in the first Broadway production of Peter Pan, 1905

Image card of Maude Adams as Peter in the first Broadway production of Peter Pan, 1905

Pan on Stage

Since the first version of the play in 1904 there have been many different versions of Peter Pan staged around the word, and it remains popular with audiences even today – especially during pantomime season!

When played live, the character of Peter was usually – though not always – played by an adult woman, as the pantomime tradition dictated when the play was first written and produced.

It is also traditional in productions of Peter Pan for the characters of Captain Hook and Mr. Darling (the children’s father) to be played by the same actor. This was originally done simply to make full use of the actor as they appear in different scenes.

In 1905, when the play was staged on Broadway in New York, Peter was played by actress Maude Adams, who continued in the role for more than a decade. The part helped her become the most successful and highest-paid performer of her day, so much so, she became the model for the character for more than 100 years.

Pictured: Nina Boucicault, the first stage Peter Pan, 1904, Robb Harwood as Captain Hook, 1907, Pauline Chase as Peter, 1906.

Various actors playing roles in Peter Pan films
Cathy Rigby playing Peter in the 2013 USA touring production. Former gymnast Cathy first performed the role in 1974, re-visiting it many times throughout her award-nominated career.

Cathy Rigby playing Peter in the 2013 USA touring production. Former gymnast Cathy first performed the role in 1974, re-visiting it many times throughout her award-nominated career.

Fiona Button and Guy Henry as Wendy and Hook at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon, 2013.

Fiona Button and Guy Henry as Wendy and Hook at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon, 2013.

Pan on Stage

Since the first version of the play in 1904 there have been many different versions of Peter Pan staged around the word, and it remains popular with audiences even today – especially during pantomime season!

When played live, the character of Peter was usually – though not always – played by an adult woman, as the pantomime tradition dictated when the play was first written and produced.

It is also traditional in productions of Peter Pan for the characters of Captain Hook and Mr. Darling (the children’s father) to be played by the same actor. This was originally done simply to make full use of the actor as they appear in different scenes.

In 1905, when the play was staged on Broadway in New York, Peter was played by actress Maude Adams, who continued in the role for more than a decade. The part helped her become the most successful and highest-paid performer of her day, so much so, she became the model for the character for more than 100 years.

Pictured: Nina Boucicault, the first stage Peter Pan, 1904, Robb Harwood as Captain Hook, 1907, Pauline Chase as Peter, 1906.

Various actors playing roles in Peter Pan films
Cathy Rigby playing Peter in the 2013 USA touring production. Former gymnast Cathy first performed the role in 1974, re-visiting it many times throughout her award-nominated career.

Cathy Rigby playing Peter in the 2013 USA touring production. Former gymnast Cathy first performed the role in 1974, re-visiting it many times throughout her award-nominated career.

Fiona Button and Guy Henry as Wendy and Hook at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon, 2013.

Fiona Button and Guy Henry as Wendy and Hook at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon, 2013.

Pan on Film

Due to the popularity of the Peter Pan stage production, there have been several film adaptations of the story made over the years, each delivering to the screen their own unique, innovative take on the story.

The first film version was a 1924 silent movie which closely follows the plot of the original play, and even incorporates much of its original stage dialogue. J.M. Barrie personally selected the 17 year old Betty Bronson for the role of Peter ahead of established actresses such as Gloria Swanson and Mary Pickford.

The film was celebrated at the time for its innovative use of special effects, especially its depiction of Tinker Bell. The film was thought to have been lost, until two prints were unearthed decades later – one of them in the Disney Studios vault which had been made when the company acquired the rights to Peter Pan in 1938.

Betty Bronson as peter Pan in the 1924 silent movie

Pan on Film

Due to the popularity of the Peter Pan stage production, there have been several film adaptations of the story made over the years, each delivering to the screen their own unique, innovative take on the story.

The first film version was a 1924 silent movie which closely follows the plot of the original play, and even incorporates much of its original stage dialogue. J.M. Barrie personally selected the 17 year old Betty Bronson for the role of Peter ahead of established actresses such as Gloria Swanson and Mary Pickford.

The film was celebrated at the time for its innovative use of special effects, especially its depiction of Tinker Bell. The film was thought to have been lost, until two prints were unearthed decades later – one of them in the Disney Studios vault which had been made when the company acquired the rights to Peter Pan in 1938.

Betty Bronson as peter Pan in the 1924 silent movie

Walt Disney’s Peter Pan

This much loved animated adaptation was such an achievement, it was entered into the 1953 Cannes Film Festival and went on to become the highest-grossing film of that year.

Peter Pan was said to be one of Walt Disney’s favourite stories, and in 1935 he intended it to be his second film after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. However, J.M. Barrie had bequeathed the rights of the play to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, so it took a further four years to negotiate the film rights.

The studio started the story development and character designs in the late 1930s and early 1940s, but was again put on hold during the Second World War. When the war ended, the Disney studio found itself in debt, so it was not until 1947 that the production could recommence, leading to its release six years later in 1953.

Though the film received some criticism for its lack of faithfulness to the original play, reviews were generally good, and it was a big hit with audiences of the day.

In 2002, Disney released an authorised animated sequel film called Return to Never Land, set in the Blitz during World War II.

Did You Know?

The character of Peter in Disney’s Peter Pan was voiced by the child actor who also starred as Jim Hawkins in the 1950 Disney live action version of Treasure Island, Bobby Driscoll.

Walt Disney’s Peter Pan

This much loved animated adaptation was such an achievement, it was entered into the 1953 Cannes Film Festival and went on to become the highest-grossing film of that year.

Peter Pan was said to be one of Walt Disney’s favourite stories, and in 1935 he intended it to be his second film after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. However, J.M. Barrie had bequeathed the rights of the play to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, so it took a further four years to negotiate the film rights.

The studio started the story development and character designs in the late 1930s and early 1940s, but was again put on hold during the Second World War. When the war ended, the Disney studio found itself in debt, so it was not until 1947 that the production could recommence, leading to its release six years later in 1953.

Though the film received some criticism for its lack of faithfulness to the original play, reviews were generally good, and it was a big hit with audiences of the day.

In 2002, Disney released an authorised animated sequel film called Return to Never Land, set in the Blitz during World War II.

Did You Know?

The character of Peter in Disney’s Peter Pan was voiced by the child actor who also starred as Jim Hawkins in the 1950 Disney live action version of Treasure Island, Bobby Driscoll.

Hook

One of the most well-known adaptations of the story is Steven Spielberg’s Hook in 1991 which starred Dustin Hoffman as the evil pirate captain, and Robin Williams as an adult version of Peter Pan. In this sequel to Barrie’s original story, Peter has forgotten his childhood and is lured back to Neverland by Captain Hook who has kidnapped Peter’s two young children, Jack and Maggie.

Spielberg, Williams, and Hoffman did not take salaries for the film, their deal called for them to split 40% of the movies’ gross box office takings. It went on to be the sixth-highest-grossing film in 1991, fourth-highest worldwide, and sits only behind the five films of the Pirates of the Caribbean series on the list of highest-grossing ‘pirate-themed’ movies.

Did You Know?

Author and Star Wars actress, Carrie Fisher, was hired to write the dialogue for Tinker Bell, though her involvement went uncredited.

Hook 1991 Film Poster
Pan 2015 Film Poster

Pan

One of the most recent adaptations, 2015’s Pan, is intended as a prequel to Barrie’s original story. In this version directed by Joe Wright, Pan and James Hook team up against Blackbeard the pirate, played by an almost unrecognisable Hugh Jackman. James Hook is a heroic miner and has not yet become the treacherous Pirate, Captain Hook, that we all know so well. The addition of Blackbeard mixes fact with fiction and provides a new perspective to the well-loved story.

Despite the estimated $275 million budget, Pan was a financial flop. While the technical achievements were praised, critics savaged it overall for its often chaotic, predictable plot, poor character development and reliance on brash CGI.

Other, notable adaptations of the story are two very different versions released in 2003: indie film Neverland, a dark and surreal modern re-imagining of the story, and the $130 million budget Peter Pan, a spectacular movie by Australian director P. J. Hogan, praised for being “visually impressive, psychologically complex and faithful to its original source.”

Hook

One of the most well-known adaptations of the story is Steven Spielberg’s Hook in 1991 which starred Dustin Hoffman as the evil pirate captain, and Robin Williams as an adult version of Peter Pan. In this sequel to Barrie’s original story, Peter has forgotten his childhood and is lured back to Neverland by Captain Hook who has kidnapped Peter’s two young children, Jack and Maggie.

Spielberg, Williams, and Hoffman did not take salaries for the film, their deal called for them to split 40% of the movies’ gross box office takings. It went on to be the sixth-highest-grossing film in 1991, fourth-highest worldwide, and sits only behind the five films of the Pirates of the Caribbean series on the list of highest-grossing ‘pirate-themed’ movies.

Did You Know?

Author and Star Wars actress, Carrie Fisher, was hired to write the dialogue for Tinker Bell, though her involvement went uncredited.
Hook 1991 Film Poster
Pan 2015 Film Poster

Pan

One of the most recent adaptations, 2015’s Pan, is intended as a prequel to Barrie’s original story. In this version directed by Joe Wright, Pan and James Hook team up against Blackbeard the pirate, played by an almost unrecognisable Hugh Jackman. James Hook is a heroic miner and has not yet become the treacherous Pirate, Captain Hook, that we all know so well. The addition of Blackbeard mixes fact with fiction and provides a new perspective to the well-loved story.

Despite the estimated $275 million budget, Pan was a financial flop. While the technical achievements were praised, critics savaged it overall for its often chaotic, predictable plot, poor character development and reliance on brash CGI.

Other, notable adaptations of the story are two very different versions released in 2003: indie film Neverland, a dark and surreal modern re-imagining of the story, and the $130 million budget Peter Pan, a spectacular movie by Australian director P. J. Hogan, praised for being “visually impressive, psychologically complex and faithful to its original source.”

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