Peter Pan

This unabridged reading of Barrie's tale of the Lost Boys in Never-Never Land fills in all the spaces left out by the various film and stage adaptations. The modern reader (or listener) may be more amused than shocked at incidents of brutal violence and political incorrectness alongside sensitive and sentimental observations about childhood lost. Roe Kendall's reading is filled with magic and fairy dust; her voice is soothing and silken as she relates with precision the adventures of Peter, Wendy, and the Lost Boys with pirates, Indians, and a jealous Tinker Bell. S.E.S. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine


Christopher Cazenove brings the world of Peter Pan, the eternal youth, and his sidekick, Tinker Bell, to life. From the moment Peter flies in through the open nursery window, Cazenove delivers the story of Peter and the Darling children with a sense of adventure. In a distinctive British voice Cazenove gives a definitive personality to each character. As blustery Captain Hook, he stretches out or speeds up phrases to depict Hook's fluctuating moods. When Peter is boasting in a guessing game with Hook, Cazenove uses a prideful voice. But his voice is anxious when Peter becomes aware of Tink's grave sacrifice for his sake. Cazenove's Wendy sounds dramatic as she delivers her "gentleman" speech to the boys before they walk the plank, and his Smee is appropriately swaggering. Families will enjoy this audio treat. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine


Elementary-aged children will enjoy spending an afternoon in Never Neverland with Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, the magic fairy, and their enemy, Captain Hook. They'll learn how to fly along with Wendy, John and Michael, as long as they believe. The St. Charles Players have done another exemplary job with this performance. Most of the dozen or so parts are well cast, the only notable exception being Peter Pan himself. A young girl reads this part, and it's barely distinguishable from Wendy's. We all need this delightful reminder to never grow up and keep believing! A.G.H. (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine