A historic north-east country house will play host to a outdoor adaptation of one of Roald Dahl’s best-loved children’s tales.
To mark 100 years since the birth of the author, the Illyria Theatre Company is bringing Danny the Champion of the World book to life at Duff House.
The impressive Georgian stately home – considered the finest example of its kind in the world – is building a reputation as an outdoor theatre venue.
Now, the adaptation of Dahl’s 1975 story of adventure, mischief and pheasants is expected to lure a younger audience to the Banff attraction.
Rewritten for the stage by David Wood, the audience follows the tale of Danny and his dad, William, as they venture from their caravan into the pheasant-filled woods of Mr Hazell.
Danny – played by 8-year-old Sonny Crichton – and his dad come up with a daring plan to outwit the greedy landowner and become champions at pheasant catching and of the world.
Last night, Duff House manager Graeme Curran said: “Duff House is the perfect setting for this outdoor re-telling of one of Roald Dahl’s best known works.
“Popular with children and adults alike, Danny the Champion of the World promises to be an evening filled with adventure and mischief.
“It’s also made doubly special that we welcome this performance during a year that celebrates Dahl and his stories.”
The two-hour production will be held in the grounds of the Banffshire house on Thursday evening and is suitable for children from ages five and up.
Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, Dahl was a novelist, short story writer and former fighter pilot who has sold more than 200million books worldwide.
Perhaps best known for his children’s novels such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Witches and Fantastic Mr Fox, several of Dahl’s works have been adapted for stage and screen.
A new version of The BFG directed by Hollywood great Steven Spielberg will be released in cinemas on Friday.
Tickets for Danny the Champion of the World at Duff House are £12 for adults, £10 for concessions and £8 for children. Family tickets for two adults and two children, are £35 and all tickets are available online. The event will begin at 6.30pm.
