SPOTLIGHT
By tony reverditto Proof perfect that the kid in us can live on forever is the longevity of the Peter Pan story. It’s hard to believe that the first film adaptation of Peter PETER PAN
Pan by J.M. Barrie was a silent film released by Paramount Pictures in 1924. From there the wonderful story has taken a journey to the stage, television, video games, theme park rides and the list goes on. Peter Pan, a magical boy simply refuses to grow up, when he meets the compla- cent Darling children (Wendy, John, and Michael) from London to Neverland. They have an exciting adventure until they are confronted by pirate Captain Hook and his crew. Eventually the children feel homesick and Wendy invites Peter and the Lost Boys to come with them so they can be adopted. Peter refuses because he would have to grow up. Unfortunately, Wendy and the Boys never made it home and are captured by the pirates. Will Peter save the day? You know he will. Trained at The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Arthur Wilson landed the role of John Darling. Since graduating, he has worked
on productions at the Library Theatre, Manchester; National Theatre Scotland; Citizen’s Theatre, Glasgow; and Hampstead Theatre, London. For TV, he has worked for the BBC and the Comedy Unit. He also plays the lead in Opus, a feature film due for release in 2011. He is excited about the latest and greatest version of Peter Pan making its only stop in Southern California at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The stage sets recently traveled from San Francisco and are the most spectacular with the world’s first 360-degree CGI Theater set and a background surround screen that encompasses the entire inside of the tent. In a recent interview, he had this to say:
The Rage Monthly: When did you first see Peter Pan yourself? And what impact did the story have on you? Arthur Wilson: I’d never actually seen a theatrical pro-
duction of Peter Pan before starting the show. It’s rarely put on in play form, generally just as a pantomime over Christmas. I had read the book when I was younger and loved it. The idea of never having to grow up is kind of exciting when you’re a kid. Growing up seems a bit scary.
Rage: Where are you from originally and where do you live now? AW: I was born in Glasgow, Scotland, but my family
moved down to London when I was just two. I’ve lived in London and a town called Milton Keynes, just north of London for my whole life. I did make it back up to
Glasgow though, where I went to drama school for three years.
Rage: When did you first realize that you wanted to perform? Where did you study? AW: I didn’t realize performing was something I could
actually do as a job until I was about 18. Up until that point I just wanted to be a footballer (soccer player), but I was rubbish so that was never going to happen. I studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, in Glasgow.
Rage: How long have you been acting? AW: I left drama school five years ago, so I have been
acting as a job since then. I’ve been acting in one way or another for a lot longer than that though...
Rage: Do you have a favorite role that you have played? AW: I don’t really have a favorite role, as such. I’ve been
lucky in the roles I have played. I played a wannabe rock star in a film that’s due out next year, which was a lot of fun.
Rage: If you weren’t an actor, what other career would you like to do? AW: If I wasn’t an actor I’d like to be an anthro-
pologist, or something similar; or perhaps an explorer of some kind.
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RAGE monthly | OCTOBER 2010
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