9-year-old Great Ormond Street Hospital Patient Takes Flight as Peter Pan on Truro’s Cornwall Playhouse Stage
9-year-old Woody Grimwade received a bone marrow transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital
Truro theatre, Hall for Cornwall, invited Woody to ‘fly’ on their stage with Peter Pan cast
The hospital is guardian of J.M Barrie’s Peter Pan legacy and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity granted rights to Hall for Cornwall for their 2023 Christmas production
Last week the UK’s most southerly largescale theatre, the Cornwall Playhouse, reignited the ageless appeal of a classic story as they welcomed a very special guest to ‘fly’ on their stage with the cast of their forthcoming production of Peter Pan.
Author J.M Barrie gifted the rights to Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in 1929. Over the years, this generous gift has provided a significant source of income to help support the work of the hospital, and to help give seriously ill children the best chance to fulfil their potential.
Truro venue Hall for Cornwall, home to the Cornwall Playhouse, connected these two threads when 9-year-old GOSH patient Woody Grimwade, who received life-saving treatment at the hospital, was invited to take a magical stage flight (supported by special effects wires) on the Cornwall Playhouse Stage. Little did Woody know that the actors who will play Peter Pan, Wendy and Tinker Bell were waiting in the wings in full costume, ready to guide him through the starry skies of their magical set.
Woody was admitted to GOSH in August 2022 with bone marrow failure. Almost a year on, the boy and his family are relishing the second chance the GOSH intervention has provided.
Laurie, mother of Woody, said: “When Hall for Cornwall asked my son if he’d like to fly like Peter Pan his face lit up. Coming to the theatre and seeing a show is a magical experience but being able to meet the cast and crew and fly was just incredible.”
Woody was taken backstage where he met the cast of Hall for Cornwall’s 2023 Christmas Show, before stepping into his harness and taking flight. Flying company Flying First Class were joined by Tinker Bell to help him fly.
Laurie continues: “Woody has suffered with a lot of anxiety over the past year and flying made him feel very special and brave. Theatre has been a huge part of Woody’s recovery, so this experience was so important. Thank you to Hall for Cornwall, the flying crew, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and Wendy for making my little boy feel so special and thank you for giving him (and me crying from the wings!) this opportunity. We can’t wait to come back to the Cornwall Playhouse to watch Peter Pan.”
Woody was also joined by Kate Orchard, 101, who broke the record for being the oldest person in the UK to fly on the stage on wires. Kate was delighted to meet Woody, taking the opportunity to throw a handful of ‘fairy dust’ over him as they flew side-by-side.
After the flight, Woody exclaimed: “That was probably the most exciting thing I’ve ever done in my life!”
Julien Boast, Chief Executive and Creative Director of Hall for Cornwall, said: “There’s no greater joy than being part of a child’s happiness. These are the moments we treasure for years to come. Nobody ever really grows up – those of us who are lucky enough to work in the creative sector dedicate ourselves to creating experiences that awake that childlike wonder for audiences. I think J.M Barrie understood that connection better than all of us, which is why Peter Pan remains such an enduring story for all ages. We can’t wait to welcome Woody and family back to see the show in December.”
After the experience, Julien Boast extended an invitation to Woody and his family to return to the Truro theatre for their VIP Press night when Peter Pan opens in December. Woody will have the chance to meet the cast again, and see the show, with other special guests.
Helen Calder, Deputy Director of Public Fundraising at Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity), added: “After overcoming a serious diagnosis and transplant treatment, what better way to celebrate
Woody’s recovery than to help him fly across the stage with the cast of Peter Pan. On behalf of everyone at GOSH Charity, we’d like to thank Hall for Cornwall for their generous support, and for granting a once-in-a-lifetime experience to one of the hospital’s very brave patients.”
“Peter Pan” is presented by arrangement with GOSH Charity and Concord Theatricals Ltd. On behalf of Samuel French Ltd. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk.
You can find out more about Peter Pan and purchase tickets here: https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/peter-pan/.
To learn more about GOSH Charity, visit www.gosh.org.