Shw'mae

Siarad Cymraeg? Visit the Welsh site.

Dewch i mewn

Happy Dahl Day

Geoff Caddick/ PA

First things first. Happy Birthday Roald Dahl!

Roald would be 102 years-old if he were alive today but his name lives on through the countless books, poems, illustrations, films and amazing characters he created during a career spanning three decades.

Each year people from all over the world come together to remember this remarkable man by throwing their very own Dahl Day parties.

And if you fancy doing something with your school, family or friends you can download some great ideas and Dahl party packs here.

DID YOU KNOW

Roald Dahl wasn't just a great writer though. He was also a spy, ace fighter pilot, chocolate historian and a medical inventor and enjoyed success on TV with his stories being featured in Tales of the Unexpected and Alfred Hitchcock Presents during the 1970's and 1980's.

Born here in Cardiff, in the village of Llandaff to Norwegian parents, Harald Dahl and Sofie Magdalene Hesselberg he was named after the famous Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen, the first man to reach the South Pole.

GOING DAHL

In 2016 to mark Dahl’s 100th birthday we partnered with National Theatre Wales to create City of the Unexpected.

We celebrated in style with a fun-filled programme of performances, events and activities across the city into Cardiff's hidden spaces, from bank vaults to secret gardens and beyond.

It's not every day you get to see a giant peach outside Cardiff Castle

A Giant Peach, a mischievous fox family, the wedding of Miss Ladybird and Mr Fireman and plenty more popped up around the city.

Inside the Centre we hosted The Wondercrump World of Roald Dahl; a hands-on exhibition across multiple levels of the building that featured artefacts from the Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre and took visitors on a fascinating journey through the writer's life.

DJ Huw Stephens during a Dahl book reading in one of Cardiff's lesser known nooks

We also co-produced Wonderman with the talented Gagglebabble Theatre Company.

The play, adapted from Roald Dahl’s original short stories for adults featured  candle-lit tables and smokey rooms, a live jazz band and plenty of surreal scenarios in a truly interactive theatre experience.

LITTLE DAHL'INGS

Back to the present day now and if you wander around the Centre this autumn with the kids, you'll find six, very special LEGO Dahl figures from some his best-loved children's books.

Giant Peach LEGO Dahl figures inside the Centre

There's one more figure left to arrive but you'll have to wait sand see who that one is...

And now in 2018 our love affair with all things Dahl continues with Matilda The Musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company arriving at the Centre from 4 December - 12 January.

Matilda The Musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company, inspired by the beloved book by Roald Dahl.

Seen by more than eight million people worldwide and winner of countless awards, it's the perfect Christmas family treat. Just make sure you book your tickets early though as it's going to be very popular.