Adapted for the stage by David Wood.
From the book by Roald Dahl.

Commissioned by the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, FANTASTIC MR FOX was first performed there in 2001.

Roald Dahl’s much-loved story follows the vain attempts of three farmers, Boggis, Bunce and Bean, one fat, one short, one lean, to get rid of the fox who regularly steals food from their farms.

They try to kill him by any means possible. Outwitted at every turn, the farmer’s ploys backfire.

FANTASTIC MR FOX devises a plan which will ensure full stomachs for not only his family, but all his friends, who celebrate with a sumptuous feast.

David Wood writes : The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, well-known for working with the local community, asked me to write the play for a professional company, joined by a large community company of all ages.

This proved to be not only a tremendous spectacle, with more than sixty people on stage, but also a true celebration of community life, echoing Dahl’s sentiments in the story. The original production employed seven professional actors, plus fifty community players. It would be possible to perform the play with just the main characters, but much of the excitement would then be lost.

“It was going to take someone as clever as the cunning fox himself to bring my favourite childhood book to life. And David Wood, who masterfully adapted Roald Dahl’s THE TWITS, didn’t let me down.This is a classic tale of goodies and baddies – of Mr. Fox trying to outwit the mean and repulsive farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean … this is a fantastic show to be enjoyed by kids of all ages.”
Coventry Evening Telegraph

“Another excellent adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s classic by David Wood … designed to capture fertile imaginations within its appealing storyline and simple language, no wonder it is a hit.”
The Stage

“… a packed audience sat enthralled, entertained and sometimes scared… not a dry eye in the house as the audience collapsed in hysterics at the hen-grabbing scene.”
Heartland Evening News

Here are some scenes from the production of FANTASTIC MR FOX that I so enjoyed directing at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park in the summer of 2007.

Click to play video

The play is published by Samuel French Ltd., a Concord Theatricals Company. First Class Professional & Foreign Rights : Casarotto Ramsay Ltd. UK Repertory Rights : Casarotto Ramsay Ltd. UK Amateur Rights : Samuel French Ltd., a Concord Theatricals Company. It is hoped that the optional music composed for the original production by John Kirkpatrick will be made available for hire from Samuel French Ltd., a Concord Theatricals Company.