Peter Pan was the creation of Sir James Matthew Barrie. He was inspired by his
friendship with the five children of the Davies family. These boys and the
stories they told together would later become Peter Pan and the Lost Boys.
He dedicated the book 'Peter Pan and Wendy' to the children, saying 'I made
Peter by rubbing the five of you violently together, as savages with two sticks
produce a flame. That is all he is, the spark I got from you.'
In 1928 this spark could be seen as the Redskins and Lost Boys danced around a
mysterious fat tree that had appeared in Sefton Park. When the Indians attacked
the tree with their tomahawks it split apart. Its rough bark fell away to
reveal the statue within.
This was part of the Peter Pan Pageant on 16 June 1928, attended by the Lord
Mayor of Liverpool, other civic dignitaries and crowds of children and
families. The Pageant proved so popular that repeat performances were held for
those unable to gain admission the first time.
|
