Why is the part of Peter Pan normally played by a woman?

Question

I have always wondered. Most 'movies' except the one with Robin Williams - and very few others - has him played by a woman.

Answer 1

If you are referring to the stage version, the role is played by a woman because it was written for a woman. In fact, it is explicitly stated in the agreement a company must sign to get the rights for the show that the role of Peter must be played by a woman. I did the National Tour of Peter Pan a few years ago, and this subject came up. I think when they were writing the stage version, they decided that since Peter is the star of the show, they wanted a seasoned performer in the role, thus the decision to write the role for an adult female. It has nothing to do with the flying. On the tour, I worked as one of the flight operators as well. The representatives from ZFX that trained us assured me that the rig we were using was quite capable of flying me (I am 6'7" and weigh about 250).

Answer 2

Because with the flying harness the man would be to heavy, and a lot of the songs in the origional play/musical had a high voice range. So they mostly auditioned woman (I think), and they went with woman, because there also lighter in weight (generally), then men are. So it would be easier to fly around with all the harnesses. :) Hope this helps ;) Oh and one Peter Pan (the character) was played by Cathy Rigby who was a professional gymnest before playing Peter Pan. Hope this helps :) And I actually got to meet her at an autograph signing after the show, and she signed at video tape of the live show :) She was so great :) I was 8 at the time when I met her :) I'm now 18 :) I still have the video tape (lol) I love watching it though :) It was a really great show :)

Answer 3

Because he is a child. Most men are too big for the part.

(Besides, he has to fly. The weight of a full grown man might break the line - then Peter Pan would go "splat" right in the middle of the stage)

Answer 4

Because the only guys who want to play Peter Pan are Michael Jackson and guys like him. I'm sure now you can understand why only women play Peter Pan.

Answer 5

Because a man would look silly in the role of a child? Also see "The role of Peter Pan was originally played by a woman, drawing on the English Pantomime tradition as well as the long history of breeches roles in opera and popular theater." in http://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/stl/stl59.html

Answer 6

It's because peter pan was a young boy and women are built smaller then men so they can get away with playing the roles of young boys.

Answer 7

Because Peter is an eternal boy. If played by a man, he would have a man's voice and looks. A short, small busted female can pass for a boy.

They are also lighter and therefore easier to make fly.

Cheers :-)

Answer 8

Otherwise it would have to be played by a boy and maybe flying thru the air would entail higher insurance costs for possible accidents and higher costs to have on site schooling and only allowing so many hours a day of work by law for youngsters? A man would usually have too large of bone structure to play a boy and also facial and arm hair usually?

Answer 9

Peter Pan was traditionally played by a woman, partly because petite actresses were easier to lift on stage in the old flying harnesses.

For indepth information on the reason you can find it here: http://www.moviediva.com/MD_root/reviewpages/MDPeterPan.htm

Answer 10

Look at the name "peter pan" normally penises are referred to as "peters" and a pan is used to put things in hence peter pan,.