Enid Blyton theatre show - Noddy, Big Ears and Lashings of Controversy

[Ice_Gemz]

Saw this on a Facebook Post and thought it might be of interest to some, perhaps (although the title does rather put me on edge as it doesn't sound a positive portrayal... What's new?)

In various small theatres between September and December 2023: https://www.onarole.co.uk/newpage

[Boatbuilder]

Ice_Gemz, your link doesn't work as you haven't included the word page in it. It looks as though a 'space' has sneaked in. It should be this:

https://www.onarole.co.uk/newpage

[dsr]

Has anyone ever produced any evidence that children who read Enid Blyton are worse readers than those who don't? If not, why is it so often quoted (like in this blurb)?

[Anita Bensoussane]

I doubt there's any evidence of that whatsoever. If anything, the opposite is more likely. I've heard many adult readers say that they got the reading bug from reading Enid Blyton books.

It's interesting to hear of the show but it sounds as if it's just a monologue.

[Moonraker]

One to miss, I would say.

[Ice_Gemz]

I saw the show last night and it was quite good. I didn't learn anything new but it was interesting to see Enid portrayed in stage nonetheless.
The set was awash with mostly Noddy-related items, and the show itself was a monologue with a few soundscapes here and there.
Act 1 focused on her early life, Froebel training, marriage to Hugh, becoming a mother, and ending on her marriage to Kenneth.
Act 2 was more focused on the controversy, criticisms and rumours that circulated, but assuring the audience that these were untruths.
Overall a good show, glad I went to see it as it's only a short run of shows and unlikely to surface again later.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Thanks for the overview, Ice_Gemz. It sounds as though the show draws heavily on Barbara Stoney's biography of Enid Blyton. I'm glad that it quashes some of the fallacies that have been bandied about.