Helen Milne Productions, Perth Theatre and The Roald Dahl Story Company are proud to announce their collaboration on Roald Dahl’s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, adapted for stage by Rob Drummond and directed by Ben Harrison. This is the first time that the story of Henry Sugar – taken from the collection of seven short stories, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More (1977) by Roald Dahl – will be brought to the UK stage.
Imagine a Roald Dahl Magic Show…
From the master of the uncanny comes a comic, disturbing and delightful tale of the obsessive hunt for power. From the slums of Bombay to the glamour of international casinos to the pinging, all-consuming world of social media, our characters discover the dangers of actually getting what you want.
an idle playboy who longs for even more money…
a teenage girl who longs for online fame…
a conjuror who longs to be believed…
Expect magic. Expect illusion. Expect the unexpected.
“You asked to hear my story. Whether or not there is an explanation, I do not know. All I know is that real magic exists. And I found it.”
Helen Milne said: “We’re so delighted to be working with co-producers Perth Theatre and The Roald Dahl Story Company, along with some of Scotland’s finest creative talent to bring this thrilling new production to stage. The show retains the mischief, darkly comic genius and sprinkling of magic for which Roald Dahl stories are known, while injecting a clever modern twist which is sure to resonate with audiences.”
Lu Kemp, Artistic Director at Perth Theatre said: “Roald Dahl short stories are thrilling, a little disturbing and get under your skin so the perfect material for theatre. In the hands of this team, we are confident that the show will be funny, magical and full of wonder.”
The Roald Dahl Story Company said: “When ground-breaking producer Helen Milne came to us with the idea to reimagine The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar as a Roald Dahl Magic Show, we found the combination of producer and concept to be equally irresistible. With the brilliant team of writer Rob Drummond and director Ben Harrison, working alongside Helen, we are confident that audiences are set to experience a show which delivers magic at every level.”
Director Ben Harrison said: “I’m so pleased to be finally bringing this show to the stage after a long period of development. When Helen Milne approached me to direct it five years ago, I remembered my folks giving me the first edition of The Wonderful World Story of Henry Sugar (and Six More) in 1977 and being so intrigued by the story, more grown-up and sophisticated than Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or James and the Giant Peach but still accessible for a younger reader. Its darkly funny and dangerous edge really appealed to me then and now I still love its irresistible mix of magic, yogic powers and global travel. I knew that Rob Drummond would be the perfect playwright to connect this tale with our time through his brilliant use of magic in previous work. It’s the Roald Dahl Magic Show. What’s not to like?”
Writer Rob Drummond said: “I’m delighted to be working on a show that combines two of my oldest childhood passions – Roald Dahl stories and magic.”
The production of Roald Dahl’s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is supported by Creative Scotland and the Stage One Bursary Scheme.
