First Night  - William Rochfort’s epic new oil painting reimagines the magic, energy, and incredible imaginative power of the first ever performance of J.M. Barrie’s immortal PETER PAN at London’s Duke of York's Theatre in 1904.

Capturing the climactic battle scene between Peter Pan, Captain Hook, the Lost Boys, and the Pirates on stage, the painting also depicts the 'first night' reactions from the audience's perspective. Some of the Victorian crowd is amused. Some are confused. One weary usher is even asleep!

But on the front row, the children brought in from the local orphanage are enraptured. One child reaches up with wonder towards the flying Peter Pan, oblivious to the activities of the men in the wings pulling the fly ropes.

This ambitious oil on canvas work (84" x 42" or approximately 7' by 3.5') solidifies First Night as artwork as suitably epic as its source material.