The archive of The New York Times is a treasure trove. Recently I managed to find more than a dozen mentions of “The Honeys,” Roald Dahl’s one failed attempt at playwriting from 1955. It’s fascinating to trace the trajectory from the optimistic early days when the project was first kicking off, to the first indications of trouble (the director quit!), the eventual premiere, subsequent bad reviews, and ultimately its closing. Even at the end, Dahl was still vowing to rewrite and launch a new production in London. Looks like that never happened…
Author: Kris
Two brand new Dahl short stories added!
It’s not often I get to read a Roald Dahl story for the first time, much less twice in one day!
A few weeks ago I was contacted by Zoran Pajic, who was trying to find a copy of an obscure story that Dahl had contributed to called “Death in the Square: A Christmas Mystery in Four Parts.” It was published in the December 24, 1988 issue of The Daily Telegraph Magazine. I had to confess I’d never heard of it! I went down a research rabbit-hole and eventually managed to locate a copy with the help of a librarian friend, Amy Allenspach. It’s a very, very odd story, and I’ve written up a plot description if you’re curious. Thanks for the prompt, Zoran, and thank you Amy for assisting!
Ever since Zoran’s question, I’ve continued to research the various periodicals that published Dahl short stories. I started with the list at the end of Sturrock’s biography. Sturrock says that the first printing of “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life” was in the September 1974 issue of The New Yorker. However, when I started looking for it I discovered this is an error. The story was actually published in the September 14, 1974 issue of The New York Times. I managed to find a copy of the issue, and to my surprise the story is quite different from the version I was familiar with. Dahl relates it as a true story that happened to him, and there’s no mention of Claud in it anywhere. It also has a slightly different title. I’ve transcribed Dahl’s introduction and added some funny letters that were later published in The Times as a response. Pretty cool!
How Steven Spielberg is reinventing Roald Dahl’s ‘The BFG’ for the big screen
Thanks to Rafer Guzmán for mentioning the site in this Newsday article: “How Steven Spielberg is reinventing Roald Dahl’s ‘The BFG’ for the big screen“. I had a long chat to Rafer last weekend about Dahl’s books and movie adaptations, as well as all the activities happening this year for the hundredth anniversary of his birth.
Quentin Blake’s unpublished illustrations of The BFG
The Guardian has a lovely collection online of some of Quentin Blake’s unpublished illustrations of The BFG. These are currently on display at the BFG in Pictures exhibition at London’s House of Illustration. What do you think of them? I’m really glad that they didn’t go with this younger, boot-and-apron-clad version of our favourite Giant!
Aylesbury’s Roald Dahl Festival 2016 is on July 2
If you’re in the UK, there’s a fabulous Dahl-related event coming up in just over a week!
Aylesbury’s Roald Dahl Festival 2016 takes place on Saturday 2 July from 11am to 4.30pm. The theme for this year’s spectacular community event is the BFG and as ever it will be a day brimful with colour, noise, activities and entertainment for all the family to enjoy, whatever the weather. The popular parade at 11am will feature larger-than-life puppets and colourful artwork made by hundreds of local school children and young people, but this year there will also be exciting new attractions. A Carnival of Characters inspired by the books of Roald Dahl will wow the crowds as children aged five to 11 compete for the best costume. Celebrity CBeebies chef Katy Ashworth will invite visitors to try awfully fabulous recipes inspired by Roald Dahl. Children’s favourites Jim Smith and Andy Stanton will read from their award-winning books and talk about the characters they created. Find out more at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/dahl or call 01296 585298.
Added some old TV shows and a new book!
I’ve added details on some of the earliest TV adaptations of Dahl’s work: Suspense, CBS Television Workshop, Lux Video Theatre, The Philip Morris Playhouse, Danger, and Star Tonight.
I’ve also added information about an interesting looking forthcoming book: Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Medicine.
New TV show added – Jackanory
Did you know that Roald Dahl stories were featured on Jackanory more than 14 times? I’ve added a whole page of information about it. You can even watch the infamous and hilarious episode where Rik Mayall read George’s Marvelous Medicine!
New section added to the site – Magazines
I have so much to do this weekend, so of course I spent 16 hours adding an entirely new section to the website – Magazines. Previously if a story or article had been published in a magazine, there was simply a note about it. Now each publication has its own page of information that I can add to. It’s still a work in progress, so stay tuned!
All the Roald Dahl things!
I’ve added loads more Dahl-related merchandise to the site, including activity kits, board games, book and toy box sets, cushion trays, mugs, duvet covers, calendars and diaries, stationery, and stuffed toys. You can fill your whole house with Dahl stuff!
Looking to put on a Dahl play?
Did you know David Wood has adapted EIGHT of Roald Dahl’s stories for the stage? I’ve just added or updated details for all of them: The BFG, Danny the Champion of the World, Fantastic Mr. Fox, George’s Marvellous Medicine, James and the Giant Peach, The Magic Finger, The Twits, and The Witches.
If you’d like to put on one of these plays, you’ll need to obtain the rights from Casarotto. We have contact details for them here.