A celebrated playwright who has worked for the Young Vic, the Almeida and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Tanya's 2007 adaptation of DBC Pierre's book "Vernon God Little" was nominated for an Olivier Award. She trained at Rada and first worked as an actress for 14 years with a variety of TV, film and stage credits to her name.

Prior to this project, what did you think about PETER PAN and its many incarnations?

The book of Peter Pan was a childhood favorite of mine. The story held an important place for me because of those young memories, tangled up with recollections of my father (whom I lost when I was 14). I also have a vague memory of seeing Dorothy Tutin in the stage version, when I was a very young child in Edinburgh. Because of that early encounter, I read the play when I was a student and was fascinated by it. More recently I've enjoyed watching my sons discover the story through the book, films and story-tapes—and then, of course, the show...


Is this new version of PETER PAN adapted from J M Barrie's play and novel? 

Yes, from both.  Also a few phrases and ideas taken from his collection of short stories set in Kensington Gardens.

J M Barrie, circa 1902

What was the greatest challenge for you in adapting his work?    

To stay true to the spirit of it, the madness, the leaps of time, the island adventures, while trying to create a shorter, more linear skeleton-text which our show needed. 

How did the idea of the 360-degree CGI surrounding the actors and audience affect your work in adapting the play? 

Knowing that the detail in the visuals surrounding the actors was to be so rich, made me concentrate on making the moments on stage as strong and dynamic as they could be. So that what was happening between the characters across the centre of the space might be as compelling as their exquisite surroundings.

Tanya as Lizzie Willoughby in the British TV Series "Survivors"

You are an acclaimed playwright who started as a child actor. When did you decide to concentrate on writing, and in particular, adaptations? And why? 

If I had thought of it sooner, I'd have begun writing much earlier! I was already in my thirties when I wrote my first adaptation. That was a new English version of a Spanish play, and it hadn't dawned on me to do it before because I didn't speak Spanish or any other languages. The turning point for me was realizing that adaptations were no longer in the hands of translators (it used mostly to be academics and linguists) but were now being tackled by writers who worked from literal translations, to breathe new life in to a play. Adapting from novels and stories was a natural progression from there.

Having an acting background must give you a unique point of view as a writer. How does your performing perspective impact your writing? 

I think it makes me look for the impetus an actor needs to respond instinctively, rather than intellectually. I know that for most actors, their intelligence is seated not just in their heads, but in their bodies and in their hub of emotions. I hope that my background helps me to give the actors the kind of lines they need to throw at their fellow actors.

David Lan, Artistic Director
of London's Young Vic

Who was your mentor?

David Lan at the Young Vic, on my first adaptation.

What advice do you give to up and coming playwrights? 

Give it time. You can't know everything immediately, so be patient. Work layer by layer until things reveal themselves. Listen to others, and don't be afraid to change your mind — it's all part of the process.

What's next for you? 

A feature film, "Random" (UKFC), an adaptation of a de Filippo play, Filumena (Almeida), and a new play for twenty six teenagers, The Pact (IYF).

What item in your writing space has the most significance to your process? 

Peace!


To read the PETER PAN feature.  For all about the show.
Watch more on PETER PAN. Follow the countdown to the U.S. premiere on Facebook.

Photos: Head shot courtesy of Tanya Ronder. J M Barrie courtesy of  www.jmbarrie.co.uk. Tanya as Lizzie Willoughby courtesy of the BBC. David Lan from youngvic.org. Production flying shot Simon Annand.

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