We spoke to Barb Jungr, ahead of Little Angel Theatre’s major new adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book, reuniting adaptors Barb Jungr and Samantha Lane (who also directs) following their celebrated collaboration on the Olivier-nominated The Smartest Giant in Town.
Alongside this puppet-filled musical, which at its core celebrates the joy of reading, Little Angel Theatre will deliver a programme of play-based workshops to support literacy and encourage a deeper exploration of picture books. The workshops will share creative routes into stories – both at home and in the classroom – with the aim to inspire reluctant readers and give families and teachers the tools to explore books through play.
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book is at Little Angel Theatre 18 November – 4 February 2024, followed by a nationwide tour. Full listings and ticket information can be found here.
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book is coming to Little Angel Theatre ahead of a nationwide tour, what can you tell us about the show?
It’s a wonderful story about the way that reading and imagination work together in a young mind. Charlie reads voraciously, and in his mind everything around him is transformed. And every book he picks up is “his favourite book” which is the best message. The show brings most of our team (The Smartest Giant, The Singing Mermaid and The Pixie and the Pudding) together again and it is a wonderful thing to walk into a room and feel so supported by all the other creative minds and we have a wonderful new, young cast, and I can’t wait to see them blossom and grow and take the words and songs and puppets we give them and fly!
What was it about Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture book that made you want to adapt it for the stage?
This is not the first of Julia’s books we have done and it is another example of her and her illustrator, Axel’s, sheer brilliance. They weave something completely magical onto a page and her ideas are always so modern and yet also timeless. She writes in these gorgeous rhymes which we love, and the challenge in this book was how to bring that imagination we see on the page into life, theatrically. A challenge is a terrific thing, as some of the stories in the books in the piece, reveal!
You’re working again with Samantha Lane, what do you enjoy most about this collaboration?
I love working with Sam because she’s quick thinking and never sees a problem only solutions. She’s a person who says “yes” and that’s joyous to work alongside. I’ve learned an enormous amount from her and I hope I get many more chances to learn more.
Tell us a little more about the programme of workshops that will accompany the production?
The workshops will celebrate the joy of reading. In this very visual world of screens it is easy to overlook the power of our own inner dreams, imaginations and capacities. The workshops will enable and facilitate the twin concepts of reading and play which we – hopefully – express in the production.
What’s the most exciting thing for you about this production heading out on a major tour?
I can’t wait to see how the piece grows and changes – they always do – and how audiences respond around the country. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to take work out and about and to see and hear the interactions between the performers and the audiences interact. Theatre is a two-way street, what happens on stage and what happens in our hearts and minds when we are present in the room together, these things are magical. I am so looking forward to seeing magic happening!
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book?
I would say “run run run” and “grab tickets now” because we have pirates and bears, a jewel thief and a ghost, and the biggest cake you will have ever seen. What could be better than that?
