Episode 1
Celebrating the centenary year of his birth, a dramatization of Dahl's autobiographical adventures beginning as he sets sail for Africa, aged 22. Narrated by Patrick Malahide.
To celebrate the centenary year of his birth, a full dramatization of Roald Dahl's gripping autobiographical overseas adventure.
Beginning aboard the SS Mantola, Dahl sets sail for Africa at the tender age of 22. He experiences the remnants of colonial British life, filled with eccentric characters, and is thrown into a world as bizarre and surprising as any you will find in his fiction.
"Life is made up of a great number of small incidents and a small number of great ones."
Stationed in Tanzania, Dahl is faced with the excitement of the wild; lions carrying off women in their mouths; fatal green mambas captured by snake men. But his savannah-sun-drenched life is interrupted when World War II erupts. Dahl is ordered to round up the German inhabitants of Dar es Salaam and experiences first-hand the horror of war.
Patrick Malahide provides the voice of Dahl in a colourful adaptation by Lucy Catherine.
Dramatised by Lucy Catherine
Directed by Helen Perry
A BBC Cymru/Wales Production.
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Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Roald Dahl | Patrick Malahide |
| Young Dahl | John Heffernan |
| Mother | Joanna Van Kampen |
| Mdisho | Eric Abrefa |
| Major Griffiths | Brian Protheroe |
| Mrs Griffiths | Clare Perkins |
| Miss Trefusis | Elizabeth Bennett |
| Sandford | Nick Underwood |
| Savory | James Lailey |
| Parkinson | Tom Forrister |
| Mackintosh | Sam Rix |
| Snakeman | Sean Baker |
| Sergeant | Jason Barnett |
| Adaptor | Lucy Catherine |
| Author | Roald Dahl |
| Director | Helen Perry |
Broadcasts
Sun 3 Jul 201615:00BBC Radio 4- Sat 9 Jul 201621:00BBC Radio 4
- Fri 16 Sep 201613:00BBC Radio Wales
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