Dahl’s delumptious drama

A kid performs at a previous workshop by Fable Street

Not every child is as precocious as Matilda, as considerate as Charlie, or as reckless as George. But all children, we reckon, tote around impressions of little characters we meet in books. To re-inspire kids with the magic of extraordinary fictional human beans, a seven-day workshop at Prithvi House is organising Book Nook on The Swashboggling World of Dahl.

Shivani Vakil

The workshop that has been put together by The Broadband Theatre Company and Fable Street, will introduce children to the theatrics in Dahl's language. Dahl was known to coin words of his own; words that if not absolutely familiar, at least sound similar to what children usually hear. For instance, swashboggling, in his lexicon, means splendid or wonderful. His love for onomatopoeia, imaginative fantasy worlds and skilful blending of darker emotions with candid banter, built a sense of drama.

Ritika Shah

Ritika Shah from Fable Street, a progressive educational space for 21st century learners, shares, "Our aim is to immerse kids in his ingenious literary works. We will do that by reading out books to them, enacting excerpts, and by introducing them to visual interpretations of Dahl's work. Different stories will be narrated to them on different days of the week - George's Marvellous Medicine, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The BFG, among other works." Shah, who will be conducting the session, adds that every day, kids will also be encouraged to interact by expressing what they feel or learn: "This can happen through art, role-playing or dialogue." Once the summer workshop comes to a close, little ones will come together to present an act based on Dahl's brain-boggling stories.

Shivani Vakil, director, The Broadband Theatre Company, tells us that the Book Nook workshop is happening in two sections. "One section concentrates on Dahl and the other on David Walliams' books. We hope to add similar excitement and adventure in the minds of kids."

On May 15 to 21; 11.30 am
At Prithvi House, Juhu. AGE Seven to nine years
Call 9820009500
Cost Rs6,000