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Plans take flight for 'Peter Pan - the sequel'

Nigel Reynoldsin London

A LONDON hospital, which has earned millions in royalties from 'Peter Pan', is to commission a sequel to J.M. Barrie's masterpiece. Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children announced a competition yesterday to find an author worthy of the job.

A LONDON hospital, which has earned millions in royalties from 'Peter Pan', is to commission a sequel to J.M. Barrie's masterpiece.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children announced a competition yesterday to find an author worthy of the job.

Britain's leading publishers and literary agents will be approached to each nominate two writers, who will be asked to submit a synopsis and sample chapter.

Andrew Fane, chairman of the trustees who supervise the copyright, said: "The hospital would be very happy to attract talented writers like J.K. Rowling or Philip Pullman, because clearly that would give the sequel a high profile."

Copyright on Barrie's original novel runs out in Britain and Europe in 2007 and earnings from a sequel will continue to boost hospital funds.

Last year, the hospital became involved in a costly battle in California to suppress a revisionist updating of the Peter Pan story.

The trustees have set out strict guidelines for the sequel, which must include all the original central characters - Peter and Wendy, Tinkerbell, The Lost Boys, and Captain Hook.

The setting and the characters can be contemporary, but the sequel should reflect the original book and be "magical". (© Daily Telegraph, London)

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