The legacy of a good storyteller is that the magic of their stories can go on for many years after they have left us. Such can be the said for Roald Dahl whose stories still mesmerize children who grew up with Charlie and the Chocolate factory, Matilda, The BFG and The Twits several decades ago, as well as their children and their children’s children.
The exhibition, The Wondercrump World of Roald Dahl which forms part of Roald Dahl 100, the current celebration marking 100 years since the birth of Dahl is therefore a must see experience and is on display at Wales Millennium Centre until January 14, 2017.
Not only do we get to take an interactive look into the literary world of Dahl himself as the wonderful creations of giant peaches, night-time forests, upside down houses, wondrous libraries and glass elevators come to life from the printed page, but we also get to look into the life of the man who brought us many of those wondrous stories.
Children and grown-ups alike can step through Dahl’s schoolroom, witness the accident he experienced as his first test run as a WWII fighter pilot that gave him inspiration for one of his earliest stories and see hand written letters he wrote to children around the world in the 1980s.
The exhibition steps up even further with an informed presentation (which can be chosen through either English or Welsh mediums) from a guide who is on hand to explain the inspirations behind Dahl’s greatest characters including The BFG and Miss Trunchbull.
Grown-ups shouldn’t expect to stand and observe, I found while attending the exhibition with my youngest son that there was some interaction for the grown ups as well as the children,, including whiz popping, making silly noises and dressing up, well what’s the point of been a grown up if you cant be childish occasionally? The experience, which is the only opportunity to visit the exhibition outside of London this year. lasts approximately 45 minutes is simply Won-Dahl-ful!
- The Wondercrump World of Roald Dahl, created by Southbank Centre in association with Wales Millennium Centre, is at Wales Millennium Centre until January 14, 2017. Age Guidance: 7 – 107 year olds. Tickets £8 advance booking / £11 on the day. (It is a guided, group experience and there must be a minimum of 1 adult for every 3 children.) For more information or to book, call 029 2063 6464 or visit www.wmc.org.uk.