Birmingham Stage Company brings its adaptation of Roald Dahl’s popular story Danny The Champion Of The World to Richmond theatre from 19-23 June as part of a national tour.
First published in 1975, Danny The Champion Of The World tells the story of Danny, a young boy who lives in a caravan with his Dad, the most marvellous and exciting Dad any boy ever had. But his father has a secret. When night comes, he poaches pheasants from Hazell’s Wood. Mr Hazell, the biggest landowner in the district, wants to evict Danny and his father and the battle is quickly on to save their home. How can one little boy defeat a rich and powerful landowner? Danny has a plan, and soon he and his Dad are caught up in a thrilling adventure.
Birmingham Stage Company has previously adapted several of Dahl’s children’s books for the stage, including The Witches, George’s Marvellous Medicine and James And The Giant Peach, all of which have played at Richmond. Danny The Champion Of The World is adapted for the stage by David Wood, whose adaptation of another Roald Dahl story, Fantastic Mr Fox, is running at the Open Air this summer.
Though the author died 16 years ago, Dahl’s books, famously illustrated by Quentin Blake, remain as popular as ever. There have been several film adaptations of his stories, including a 1989 film of Danny The Champion Of The World starring Jeremy Irons and his real-life son Sam. Dahl’s other books include The BFG, The Twits, Matilda and Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.
CB