Character guide
Smee
from Peter Pan
Smee is Captain Hook's bumbling, good natured first mate in the 1954 musical Peter Pan.
- Show
- Peter Pan
- Broadway premiere
- 1954
- Role
- Supporting
- Music by
- Charlap & Styne
Smee on stage vs screen
Broadway compared with Peter Pan Live! (2014)
On Broadway in 1954, Smee was played by Joe E. Marks, while Captain Hook's actor, Cyril Ritchard, doubled as Mr. Darling. NBC's Peter Pan Live! in 2014 moved that double role to Smee: Christian Borle played both Smee and Mr. Darling, leaving Christopher Walken free to play Hook alone.
The broadcast also reworked the pirate side of the story, revising Hook's scenes to give him more depth and adding a new song for him, Vengeance. In the 1954 score, the pirates' big number with their captain is Hook's Tango.
Who is Smee?
Smee serves as Hook's loyal but often clueless right hand man aboard the pirate ship, following orders with cheerful obliviousness even when the plan is clearly going wrong. Unlike his captain, Smee tends to come across as more comic than menacing, a soft-hearted pirate whose bumbling adds levity to the tense standoffs between Hook and Peter Pan.
His presence rounds out the pirate crew with warmth and humor, giving the show's villainous side a lighter, more approachable edge.
Playing Smee on stage
Smee is a supporting role built for a performer with strong comic chops and impeccable timing. The part often calls for physical comedy and reactive humor, playing off Hook's grand theatrics with a steady stream of well-meaning bungling.
Audiences tend to love Smee because he is the pirate crew's most human, likable figure, proof that even the villain's sidekick can steal a scene with charm rather than menace.
Smee: frequently asked questions
What show is Smee from?
Smee appears in the 1954 musical Peter Pan as Captain Hook's first mate.
Is Smee a lead or supporting role?
Smee is a supporting role known for comic relief.
Who wrote the music for Peter Pan?
The songs were written by Charlap and Styne.
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