The melodrama Peter Wilkins, or The Flying Islanders was a dramatisation of a story by Robert Paltock of Clement's Inn that was originally published in 1750, and was an 'island fantasy' about an English man stranded on a desert island who lives among winged people and marries an islander Yourawkee. It was originally produced at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden on Monday 16th April 1827, directed by Mr. Farley, with music by Mr. Watson and Mr. Wodarch, scenery band machinery by Mr. E. Saul painted by William and Thomas Grieve, 'aerial evolutions' by Messrs. Bradwell, with dresses by Mr. Head and Miss Folthorp. It has been suggested that Paltock named his hero after John Wilkins, Bishop of Chester, who seriously discussed the question of whether men could acquire the art of flying. The title role was played by Mrs. Vining, with the Gawrie, or Flying Woman Yourawkee played by Miss M. Glover.

A review of the original production described how the 'spectacle' dealt with the story of the Navigator Peter Wilkins who was wrecked on an island of loadstone where he discovered the Gawries and was rescued from the island by a troupe of Flying Islanders - the Gawries and the Glums, or Flying Men. The review praised the effects of the wreck and the scenery of the interior of the island, the Flying Islanders 'delightfully gliding through the air', and 'the most enchanting scenery, contrasted by a non-descript, or 'Wild Man of the Woods' personated with amazing ability and agility by Mr. Parsloe'.