Roald Dahl - James and the Giant Peach: Plays for Children

Roald Dahl was a spy, ace fighter-pilot, chocolate historian and medical inventor. He was also the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG and many more brilliant stories. He remains the Worlds Number One Storyteller.

THE BFG

BOY: TALES OF CHILDHOOD

BOY and GOING SOLO

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

CHARLIE AND THE GREAT GLASS ELEVATOR

THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES OF CHARLIE AND MR WILLY WONKA

DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD

THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE

ESIO TROT

FANTASTIC MR FOX

GEORGES MARVELLOUS MEDICINE

THE GIRAFFE AND THE PELLY AND ME

GOING SOLO

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

THE MAGIC FINGER

MATILDA

THE TWITS

THE WITCHES

Picture books

DIRTY BEASTS

THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE

THE GIRAFFE AND THE PELLY AND ME

THE MINPINS

REVOLTING RHYMES

Plays

THE BFG: THE PLAYS (Adapted by David Wood )

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: THE PLAY (Adapted by Richard George)

DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD: THE PLAYS (Adapted by David Wood )

FANTASTIC MR FOX: THE PLAY (Adapted by Sally Reid )

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH: THE PLAY (Adapted by Richard George)

THE TWITS: THE PLAYS (Adapted by David Wood )

THE WITCHES: THE PLAYS (Adapted by David Wood )

Teenage fiction

THE GREAT AUTOMATIC GRAMMATIZATOR AND OTHER STORIES

RHYME STEW

SKIN AND OTHER STORIES

THE VICAR OF NIBBLESWICKE

THE WONDERFUL STORY OF HENRY SUGAR AND SIX MORE

Collections

THE ROALD DAHL TREASURY

SONGS AND VERSE

PERFORMANCE RIGHTS : All rights whatsoever in this play are strictly reserved, and application for performance, etc., should be made before rehearsals commence to: Casarotto Ramsay & Associates Ltd, Waverley House, 712 Noel Street, London W1F 8GQ.

PERFORMANCE RIGHTS IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA : All professional and/or non-professional rights and rights to perform the play to paying and/or non-paying audiences are subject to permission being first obtained by application in writing from the Dramatic Publishing Company, 311 Washington Street, Woodstock, Illinois 60098, USA.

No performances may be given unless a licence has been obtained.
The publication of this play does not necessarily indicate its availability for performance.

1. Whenever the Narrator speaks, frozen-action positions can be effectively used.
2. The strings for the seagulls to high side of stage suggest in which direction the Peach is travelling.
3. The Little-Old-Man can recognizably reappear as the power-hungry First Officer in the boat scene to add even more mystique to his already mysterious role.
4. Instead of using a spotlight to portray the Peach, one could possibly use an inflated material or even build a peach-appearing platform. While both of these could be done, neither is as functional as the spotlight method.
5. Narrator should have a separate spotlight at all times. A filmstrip projector is acceptable.
6. All houselights in the auditorium should be out for the duration of the play.
7. All costuming can be done with painted cardboard or things sewn together. Sheets can be used for Cloud-Men.
8. Very little scenery is essential for this play. Anything added is up to you. Do only that which will enhance and not take away from the action.

Take a large box, cut one side and spread it out. The box should be at least 1.5 metres in width and 1.5 metres in length when spread out.

Fold the box in thirds and draw on the body shape. Cut off the outside area.

Use the left-over portion by the wings to make the front feet.

Paint the front legs black, cut them out, and attach them to the folded body.

Using a small box or scrap cardboard, make two identical wings, paint them orange, cut them out, and attach them to the folded body.

Paint the rest of the body like this:

By attaching a couple of cardboard handles to the inside of the body with paper fasteners, you can give the person playing the part some control of his costume. Additional straps or string will help to keep it on.

Take a large box, cut one side and spread it out. The box should be almost the same length or height as the person wearing it. Draw in the Spider and paint it black. Once dry, cut it out and put holes in it where you could insert string or straps to keep it on.

The Spider should be on the persons back and should also be painted black on the reverse side, as part of the reverse side will be visible to the audience. One of the legs can always be gripped (on both sides) for additional stability.

Take a large box, cut one side and spread it out. The box should be almost the same length or height as the person wearing it. Draw in the ladybird and paint it bright red. When dry, add black spots at random. When the spots are dry, cut it out and put holes in it where you could insert string or straps to keep it on securely.

The Ladybird should be on the persons back and should also be painted red on the reverse side, as part of the reverse side will be visible to the audience.

Take a large box, cut one side and spread it out. The box should be almost the same length or height as the person wearing it. Draw in the Centipede and paint it a wild bright colour such as yellow. When dry, cut it out and put holes in it where you could insert string or straps to keep it on securely.