Culture

Explore the Wondercrump World of Roald Dahl

Anyone with a child or grandchild aged about 12 years and under probably has a book by the prolific Welsh-born author Roald Dahl on the bookshelf.

160210-21_cbr_matilda_the_musical_photo_by_manuel_harlanCharlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, The Witches … these and many other titles came from the prolific pen of Dahl.

Numerous events have been scheduled throughout the year to celebrate the centennial of his birth. Kicking off the year, you can catch “The Wondercrump World of Roald Dahl” at the Southbank Centre in London, with special events opening this month and continuing through July. The Southbank Centre is a 21-acre arts center on the South Bank of the Thames.

“The Wondercrump World” features seven immersive worlds that explore Dahl’s life and works. Exclusive archival material from the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire includes original manuscripts, letters, drawings, photos and more.

This month, the exhibition is part of the Southbank Centre’s Imagine 2016 children’s festival, and includes live performances, storytelling and reading some of Dahl’s books aloud.

giant-peachThe festival will include a staging of the author’s last book, “The Minpins” accompanied by live animation and orchestral music; “Dahl in a Day” will use dance, illustration and music to showcase a presentation of “Matilda;” the Dutch theatre group Theatre Gnaffel will present their musical versions of Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Liuttle Pigs, with life-size puppets and orchestral music; and visitors will create their personalized Dream Jars, as per “The BFG.”

After July, the Dahl exhibition and performances will travel to the Wales Millenium Centre, a mammoth art center in Cardiff, Wales.

For more information, visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk.

For more information on visiting the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, visit www.roalddahl.com/museum