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Previous Guestbook Entries
2005 - 2011
 Leave me a message now...
As a result of this guestbook, over the last couple of years, I have been lucky enough to receive messages from all over the world.
This has brightened up my life no end!
When what is often a fairly hard grind at the desk turns into something that gives people pleasure performing and watching, the process doesn’t seem quite as lonely.
| There are 401 guestbook entries in 17 pages and you are on page number 9 |
Comments by Andrew Curtis |
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Hello David
Many years ago i saw the gingerman play - and i love now and much as i did then - I was wondering if the was a video or DVD available to relive my childhood memories?
Many Thanks
Andrew
Kent, England
Dear Andrew,
So glad you remember THE GINGERBREAD MAN with pleasure.
There is no dvd of the show, I'm afraid. I wish Channel 4 would release the production we did for them some years ago!
You can get a dvd of episodes from the tv animation series based on the play - try Amazon or ebay.
I can supply a cassette of the story and songs. And the paperback book version. I will send you an email with more details.
Best wishes, David. |
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United Kingdom
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Hi there. just a wee note to say that we love your book The Toy Cupboard and were wondering where you can buy it new as it got damaged. Tried just about everywhere....... Our kids enjoyed it and we have just had another so would be great to get new one. Many thanks Colin
Dear Colin,
Thanks for your message. I wish I could help you. I have no copies left of THE TOY CUPBOARD.
I have just looked on Amazon and they have 3 used copies, but in good condition, advertised. One of them is offered at over £90, believe it or not! Ebay is another possibility.
The book was published in the United States, as well as the UK. That may make it easier to find. Sorry I cannot be more help, but am delighted that the book was such a success with your family.
All good wishes,
David
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United Kingdom
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Hi David,
I'm a park ranger in Washington State and was thinking of writting a pupet show about the local shellfish life in our ampitheatre (forgive my spelling). I picked up one of your books to help me begin my writting process and noticed that you have written "The Selfish Shellfish." I was wandering if this play could possibly make a great outdoor pupet show for local children and campers. I must admit that I have yet to read it, but look forward to it if it's a possibility. Do you think this show can work for an outdoor educational setting in a state park
Dear Miles,
What a fascinating thought! I have no idea whether the play would work as a puppet show. But the character of The Great Slick (the villainous oil slick) could be splendidly represented in puppet form, I would think.
The obvious thing is for you to read the play and see what you think.
Try contacting Samuel French in Los Angeles or New York. They will have copies, I am fairly sure. If you have any problem, come back to me!
All good wishes, and please let me know if you go ahead with this!
Yours sincerely,
David
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United States
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Comments by Robert Hansen |
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Very interesting website. A quick question. What is the best way to market a children's play that has been produced about nine times? I'm creating a website, any other suggestions?
Do you know of any conferences in California where we could meet other children theater playwrights and see examples of other children theater plays?
Thank you so much!
Robert
Dear Robert,
Thanks for your message. Are you a member of AATE? The American Alliance for Theatre and Education is, I think, the best organisation for you to contact. They have websites as well as newsletters and information. I am sure you would be able to market your play through them. Look up the AATE website for more information. They have a conference every year.
I suggest that you might also contact a friend of mine in California. Mireya (Murry) Hepner runs a young people's theatre company. She probably has useful California contacts. Her e-mail address is mireyahepner@earthlink.net.
Good luck with it!
Best wishes,
David
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United States
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Hey David Love The work happend to come across old women who lives ina shoe some one in my family was in that at the haymarket dont have any pictures do you ?/
brad
Dear Brad,
Sorry, but I can't find any photos of THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN ... at the Haymarket Theatre, Leicester.
It might be worth your while to write to the theatre and ask them if there are any photographs in their archive. Maybe they could copy some for you?
I hope you find one or two!
All good wishes,
Yours,
David
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United Kingdom
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hi david
i'm sad that fantastic mr fox is over [:^)]
you have been such a great director
i hope you still do shows there since Ian Talbot has left if you are doing something please send me an email to say what you are doing and to tell me the audition date and i shall hope to audition. I hope to c u again.
Bye and well done
Luv amy(mole) and freddie (badger) frm fantastic mr fox
Dear Amy and Freddie, Thank you for your nice e-mail. Yes, it is sad that FANTASTIC MR FOX is over - it all seems to have gone very quickly! No idea what will be happening next year. I think that the new artistic director will probably have his own ideas! We'll have to see! Meanwhile, all good wishes to you both, and hope to see you again soon. Best wishes, David
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United Kingdom
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Hi Mr. Wood! I write to you again, if you please. First: I found the movie you suggested to me, "Aces High", I like movies and books about Great War and this is so charming that I'm happy to have it in my video-collection! You actors made such a good work! Second: finally the UK DVD of "IF..." is in my hands, nice DVD, even if I would like to heard comments also by you in the extras! Anyway, I'm so content! It would be nice indeed to read your memoirs on these 2 movies! My best regards!
Dear Antonella,
Thank you for your message! Very glad that you found ACES HIGH and enjoyed it!
Yes, at last the DVD of IF .... is in the shops! I have a copy but have not yet seen it, or the extras. One day I will write my memories of the making of IF .... There are a lot of stories to tell!
All good wishes,
Yours,
David |
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Italy
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We are performing OWl and the Pussycat
Easter 2008, do you hire out your costumes please.
Thks
Sue
Dear Sue,
Thank you for your message. Sorry, but I don't have any costumes for THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT WENT TO SEE ...
However, there is a professional production in preparation at the Brentwood Theatre. It opens for Christmas on December 3rd. This is not my production, and I have no idea what the costumes will be like. But it might be worth you getting in touch with Mark Reed at Brentwood Theatre in Essex. They have a website!
All good wishes,
Yours
David |
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United Kingdom
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Hello David,
I see a production of your brillian Owl and the Pussycat is being done this Christmas by Brentwood Theatre, I just wondered if you had anything to do with this production, or if you'd be going to see it? I'm a great fran of your work for Childrens Theatre as are my children so we can't wait to see it,
Dear Joshua,
Many thanks for your message.
I hope to be seeing a performance of THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT WENT TO SEE ... at Brentwood Theatre. But the production itself is nothing to do with me. Brentwood have done several things of mine in the past, which have been very enjoyable, so let's hope this one will be as good!
It is kind of you to say you like my work. You may be interested to know that DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD will be at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London this Christmas. And THE BFG will be at Polka Theatre in Wimbledon.
All good wishes,
Yours
David |
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United Kingdom
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Hello David, brilliant website and a real pleasure reading through it.
I have a strange question for you, regarding your early film career - did you star in a horror film, made in the 60s, about a boy and a statue that comes to life? The boy I think uses the statue to act out various vengeances.
Told you it was a strange question!
It is a film in the dark archives of my childhood mind, which I've no idea of the title of.
Please note I am not a weirdo!
Best wishes, Robert
Dear Robert,
Thanks for your message. Glad you enjoyed looking through the website!
I don't recognise the film you mention, I am afraid. In the early 70s (I think) I was in a Freddie Francis film called TALES THAT WITNESS MADNESS, in which I played a young tutor, I think. But I don't think there was a statue! Sorry!
All good wishes.
David |
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United Kingdom
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Hello,
I am looking for a smallish cast children's play to put on in france and I was wondering if you could suggest a couple of plays of yours to read.
Thank you
Laura Benson
Dear Laura,
Thanks for yours. Do you want a well known title? Is Roald Dahl popular in France? If so, you might try one of my adaptations. But they are quite complicated to produce! Of my own original plays, I would suggest THE SELFISH SHELLFISH or THE SEE SAW TREE.
One of my favourites is THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN ..., but this requires a lot of children in the cast as well as five adults! SAVE THE HUMAN is another favourite, but, of course, nobody will have heard of it!
Send me more clues if you want to, and I will try to come up with something suitable.
Best wishes,
David |
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France
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Hi David
i do loads of amature shows at my theatre group but i wanted to know if i can audition for one of your shows.
Thanks
Matt
Thanks for your e-mail. Glad to hear that you do lots of amateur productions. I am afraid I am not directing anything in the near future, so cannot offer you an audition. Sorry about that.
Best wishes,
David
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United Kingdom
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Comments by Oliver Naylor |
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Hi David, I have just seen the programme for Fantastic Mr Fox and have worked with Gary Bates and Peter Pontzen in Robin of Wychwood for Chipping Norton panto. I am a professional actor and write and perform my own interactive history shows for schools and festivals. I would love to be involved with one of your productions and I remember seeing a breakdown of Mr Fox from my agent but I wasn't right for any of the parts. Would it be possible to send you my details anyway for the future and if so where shall I send them to? I realise everything goes through casting directors but it may be that you have a file of actors somewhere tucked away for rainy days! Many thanks. Oliver Naylor
Dear Oliver,
Thanks for your message. Delighted that you might be interested to work in one of my future productions. However, I am afraid I am not planning to direct anything in the near future!
We have had a lot of fun with FANTASTIC MR FOX. Sadly it finishes at the end of this week!
Best wishes,
David |
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United Kingdom
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Hi David! me and my theatre group are currently rehearsing you play 'save the human' its going great and we are due to perform it soon. I am writing to ask if you have any other more serious plays that you have written for a young adult theatre group. Reply soon please! daniel
Dear Daniel,
Sorry for the delay. I have been directing FANTASTIC MR FOX at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park, so haven't been able to think of much else for a few weeks!
Delighted to hear that you and your theatre group are doing SAVE THE HUMAN. It is one of my favourites! I suggest you have a look at THE SEE-SAW TREE and THE SELFISH SHELLFISH. Both these plays are serious, although they have their lighter moments! They are both about conservation, really. Again, they are favourites of mine.
All good wishes,
Yours
David
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United Kingdom
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Hi David,
Hope all is good with you. Bruno here from Birmingham Rep/ATG production. It seems such a long time since I was climbing those giant stairs, picking bogeys, frog jumping and cheffing! It was so much fun!
Do you know if there are any images knocking around of that production? I would love to see them again especially the mice! Also I dont know if you knew but my father in laws cousin went to see Liccy Dahl in Great Missendenand she showed her and her son the magic hut. She also mentioned that she loved our production of the Witches! What a recommendation! I am now in back in Liverpool after 12 years and am concentrating on my own company 20 STories HiGh.
We are a young peoples theatre company focusing a developing new work for 13-25 year olds. Using the traditional majik of Puppetry and masks as well as new forms like grime and Hip-Hop. Check us out at www.myspace.com/20storieshigh .We are joining UK centre of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People
WWW.ASSITEJUK.ORG thats were I saw your name and the memories came flooding back!Hope life is treating you well
take care
Keith
x
Dear Keith,
Very good to hear from you. Delighted to hear that you are working with your own company. Good luck with all your projects. Glad to hear you are joining ASSITEJ UK.
Yes, it seems quite a long time since THE WITCHES. Glad you enjoyed it! I'm glad that I remembered you from the production at Polka and suggested you for Bruno!
Emma Clayton and I are working together at the moment, doing FANTASTIC MR FOX at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park. I am directing as well as adapting. Emma is assistant director, choreographer and playing Mrs. Fox! Never one to do things by halves!
Thanks for writing and all good wishes,
Yours,
David |
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United Kingdom
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I was wondering whether there is a band score available for the selfish selfish. If you could reply to my email that would be great.
Many Thanks
Dear Aaron,
Thanks for your message. Sorry, but THE SELFISH SHELLFISH has never been orchestrated for a band. There was a single vinyl record of WHEN WILL WE LEARN? which did employ two or three musicians, apart from keyboards, I think. I might be able to find a copy for you if it would be of interest, but every production of the play I directed only had keyboards.
All good wishes,
Yours
David |
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United Kingdom
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Could you please let me know where I can purchase a school's copy of the Lighthouse Keepers Lunch Children's Play.
Thank you
Dear Mrs Gavins,
I am so sorry this reply is so late.
THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER'S LUNCH is published by J. Weinberger. You can purchase a copy from them. Their address and phone number is as follows: 12-14 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JJ, Tel 0207 5802827. Their website is www.josef-weinberger.com. Their e-mail is general.info@wmail.co.uk .
The play comes with a complete piano score and CDs giving accompaniment for rehearsals and for performance.
Many thanks for your interest.
Yours sincerely,
David |
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United Kingdom
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Comments by alison davenport latif |
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I am an english teacher based in new delhi india working at the german school and want to do a short 10 mins of a play with my 10 german children learning english- very soon - can you email me a script that would suit- they are 9 yrs old- for free ?
typing this with my baby on lap sorry!
can you help?
Dear Alison, Thanks for your message. Do the children know any Roald Dahl stories? I have written short plays, adapted from my full length adaptations, of THE BFG, THE WITCHES and THE TWITS. These are published by Puffin. See the website for more details. I have also done some MEG AND MOG PLAYS, but these may be a little young. I am afraid these scripts are not on the computer in a form that can be e-mailed. The plays can be used in the classroom for no payment, but not for performances. Maybe you could look at the website for more details. All good wishes. Yours sincerely, David
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India
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Dear Mr.Wood,
Last semester I did a literature study on Children’s Theatre when I read your book. I really liked the way you write about your devotion to children and their world of imagination and decided to send you this email. My name is Myrthe Niens, I am twenty years old and I’m in my second year of my study Theatre & Education in Utrecht in the Netherlands. During my study of Theatre and Education I found out that I am very much interested in Children’s Theatre. It is obvious that you really have the skills and the knowledge to create successful plays for children. Your lists of do’s en don’ts really helped me when I had to make a short play myself. It was a short physical performance about three little girls having their first swimming lesson teached by a mean old swimming teacher. It wasn’t necessarily Children’s Theatre, but I used the same principles.
Next year a foreign internship is scheduled for a duration of three months (april-july 2008). Since I am very interested in making Children’s Theatre myself, I would like to explore the possibilities of an internship at one of your plays. The exact content of the internship has yet to be decided, but I would like to discuss that with you. If you are interested I can send you an email with some relevant things I have done so far at my study and what I am capable of.
I’m looking forward to hear from you,
With kind regards,
Myrthe Niens
Dear Myrthe,
Thanks for your message. Delighted that my book was helpful! I will send you a separate e-mail concerning your internship! Meanwhile, all good wishes,
Yours David |
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Netherlands
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Hi Mr Wood,
I do hope you can help me.
I was inspired by your play to suggest to the staff at our primary school that we put on a whole school performance of 'Dinosaurs & All that Rubbish'. The play is just fantastic, though the score seems a little daunting.
I have ordered the vocal score and play from Samuel French but I was wondering if you could tell me if I could find anywhere a tape, CD or Video of the production (professional or otherwise) to help with knowing how the songs should sound etc. and maybe even giving the children the opportunity to see the show?
As a new music coordinator I'd really love this to go well and I think it will be a fantastic experience for the children, but I'm worried I may have bitten off more than I can chew! Any inspiration, guidance or advice you could give would be very much appreciated!
Thanks so much,
Lucy McKee
Dear Lucy, Thanks for your message. Delighted that you are interested in putting on DINOSAURS AND ALL THAT RUBBISH. Having directed it some years ago, I can tell you it works very well! But, yes, I can see that it might feel a bit daunting! I will send you an e-mail, which might be helpful. Meanwhile, all good wishes, Yours David |
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United Kingdom
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I will never forget the Gingerbread man. I took my three sons to see it in London, probably twenty years ago, and they all were enthralled by it. My son, Oliver Birch who is now 27 went to Durham and studied English/Music and had a wonderful few years acting, and directing theatre productions. He has been to Edinburgh for the last four years and has won 2 Fringe Firsts for his children productions of The Echo Chamber and The Ignatius Trail for children up to 8. He has also written The Shelter about the second world war and is at the moment writing another play for a little older children. Ignatius and The shelter have done a national tour and I wondered if you would look at their website. He has co founded a group called the En Masse Theatre company with Amy Leach,a really talented director and organiser www.enmassetheatre.co.uk They have such talent, I know I'm biased but they do. He is very down at the moment, which I am sure probably happened to you in the beginning, its such a struggle, and I wondered if you might have some encouraging words for him. He has done a three year acting course at Lamda and is at present pursuing an acting career,taking bit parts in order to stay in London, and write and compose. En masse has now been going for 5 years and Ollie has become so despondent. Please give him a few words of encouragement and also maybe a few tips. I would be so grateful. My very kind regards.
Dear Gillian,
Many thanks for your e-mail. I am delighted that THE GINGERBREAD MAN featured in your family life all those years ago! It is a shame that it seems impossible to get the play on these days - it was 31 years old this year! But it is still very popular in Germany, I am glad to say!
Please pass on my very best wishes to Oliver. He has bravely chosen to tread the difficult path of children's theatre, and is clearly very dedicated to the cause. I am sure he also finds it very rewarding. Has he ever read my book THEATRE FOR CHILDREN: GUIDE TO WRITING, ADAPTING, DIRECTING AND ACTING? There is information about it in the book section of the website. In it, I tell many stories of the problems I faced when starting, and I make it clear that in children's theatre you really need to be a pioneer and do it yourself! That is exactly what he has been doing, and I do hope that he will press on. There is more interest now in children's theatre than ever before. There are more companies performing it, and more money available, though it often might not feel like it!
I think the important thing is to decide exactly what you want to do, in terms of audience. Is it for schools or the public, or both? What age group is it for? Be absolutely specific in knowing what kind of venues you want to visit. I am sure he has done all this already! All I can say is that I hope he perseveres even more, because the buzz he obviously gets (just like me) from a full house of children responding positively, is a buzz well worth striving to attain many more times! Please send him lots of luck.
Also, I suggest that he joins, if he hasn't already done so, ASSITEJ UK, the national branch of an international organisation of children's theatre practitioners. By doing this, he might well be able to contact and meet many others in the same boat! It is always nice to find out that you are not alone in your pursuit of a dream.
All good wishes,
Yours sincerely,
David |
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Hi David, I have a primary children's play script (a family participation work) newly completed and non-produced. It focuses on an environmental theme, has song, dialogue and puppetry. It demands a small cast (parts can be added though, rather like school nativity plays!), has portable scenery (for touring) and is approx' one hour in length :) Would you care to have a copy of 'Hip-Hip Hoopoe' posted to you?
Dear John,
Thanks for your e-mail. I would be happy to look at your play, although I am not in any position to produce it!
Is it possible to send it by e-mail?
Looking forward to reading it.
Best wishes, David |
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United Kingdom
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Hi David
I played Mr Twit when the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry produced the show originally (ie before it toured). We met then. It was a wonderful piece to do. I have occassional updates on what you're doing from my friend Karen Briffett whom I believe you know very well. I'm off to Singapore to play Bottom in the Dream, but it would be very good to hear from you.
Regards
Andy Hockley
Dear Andy,
Very good to hear from you! I well remember, of course, your definitive Mr. Twit. You were a hard act to follow, but, since that original production, I have been lucky enough to see quite a few equally revolting hairy men behaving appallingly badly on stage!
Please give my regards to Briff when you next see her. She was a tower of strength as Boy in THE WITCHES and as Babe in BABE, THE SHEEP-PIG.
Good luck in Singapore! I am sure you will have a great time playing Bottom.
All good wishes,
David |
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United Kingdom
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Just had to write to say how much my 4 year old daughter loves the Funny Bunny's Magic Show book. Every night before bed she insists it is the only book she wants. She now knows it word for word and it's helping with her reading. Thanks so much for producing such a brilliant favourite book.
Dear Carrie,
Thank you so much for your lovely comments. Delighted that FUNNY BUNNY is working his magic in your daughter's life! The book is one of my favourites - I much enjoy showing it to children in the schools I visit.
All good wishes to you and your daughter,
David |
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