Peter Pan

If your knowledge of Peter Pan comes from Disney, prepare for a treat. Master storyteller Jim Dale transports listeners into Barrie's world. Dale pulls us into the imaginative web Barrie weaves with this tale of adventure, suspense, and eternal childhood. Each character enters the story with a unique voice and personality, and Dale breathes life into every character--the cocky, bossy innocence of Peter; the maternal bossiness of Wendy; the malevolent sneering of Captain Hook; and exuberance of all the lost boys, pirates, and Indians. Turn off the TV, gather around the CD player, turn "second to the right, and straight on 'til morning" to fly off for an enchanted evening in Neverland. You'll return again and again. N.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

Patrick Treadway does an excellent job of bringing J.M. Barrie's classic tale to audio. His narration is faithful to the original text and evokes the British upper class of the period with his deadpan attitude about such things as the fact that the Darling's nanny is a dog. Treadway knows just the right intonation to bring to each of the many marvelous characters: from the evil Captain Hook to the flighty Tinker Bell. Children of all ages will delight in this wonderful telling of Peter's antics. S.B.M. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Listening to the original story that has inspired so many storybooks and cartoons is a delightful treat. And this performance by Samuel West is superb. From the opening passages West's charismatic voice draws listeners to immediate attention. He delivers deliciously imaginative character voices--Wendy, Hook, Smee, Peter and each of the boys and pirates. West's brilliant storytelling brings out the more subtle side of Barrie's enduring classic, not just the characters, but also the strong sense of fair play and personal virtue. The usual superb selections of music and a smooth abridgment make this family listening not to be missed. R.F.W. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

The ghost of Mary Martin's Peter Pan is here in the nasal coyness the narrator gives to Peter. The other characters are gently characterized, and the overall effect is soft and professional. Noone's voice is calming; she sounds as if she has a dozen children sitting at her knees listening intently, and she speaks her story with slow relish. The end of each side is signaled by soft music, a nice touch; there are no other enhancements. This is a good rendition of a familiar classic. D.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

For children raised on Disney videos and not quite ready to tackle the original novel, this version of Peter Pan is a welcome alternative. It is well dramatized for a full cast and includes some excellent voices. The lines of the all-British cast are woven together with narrated segments, and the production uses music and sound effects effectively. Most notable is Michael Jayston as Captain Hook, who manages to sound as diabolical as his character calls for. The only caveat is that there is little attempt to soften the novel's treatment of Native Americans, some of which now sounds dated and insensitive. D.B. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

For many of us, PETER PAN is one of those stories we know from popular culture but have never actually read. Now is the time to learn what a wonderful (and often adult) story it is. Tim Curry provides the perfect introduction with his rich voice, British accent, and tongue lodged firmly in cheek. He creates a magical world of pirates, fairies, dog-as-nanny, lost children, and the boy who never grows up. Curry develops distinctive voices for all the characters--Captain Hook is a particular delight--and employs an appropriately slow pace, making it feel as if he is reading us a bedtime story. A.B. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

With exceptional performances by British actors Toyah Willcox, June Whitfield, Ron Moody, and Roy Hood, this audio dramatization from BBC Radio 4 will keep the attention of youngsters who are only familiar with the Disney version and will delight older listeners who have read the 1904 classic. Toyah Willcox is exuberant as Peter Pan, and Ron Moody performs the evil Captain Hook with menacing snarls. Also adding to the dramatization is a continuous array of sound effects--from the bark of Nanny to the crashing waves. Listeners will feel like they are also on the journey to Neverland. K.M.D. (c) AudioFile 2007, 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