Frank Exchanges
Letters between Frank Whitbourn, theatre enthusiast, and David Wood, children’s dramatist
by David Wood; Frank Whitbourn
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Pub Date 28 Jun 2023 | Archive Date 15 Nov 2023
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Description
Between 1959 and 2005, David Wood (‘the national children’s dramatist’) corresponded with his mentor, Frank Whitbourn, teacher, writer and theatre practitioner. Frank Exchanges opens with a letter from Whitbourn, praising a young Wood following a performance in one of his plays, and documents an almost fifty-year correspondence before Whitbourn’s death in 2005. Wood sent Whitbourn the first draft of every play he wrote, and Whitbourn commented constructively and often came to see and ‘review’ the plays in production.
The letters chronicle Wood’s development as a playwright, director and producer, and Whitbourn’s memories of pre-war theatre-going and meeting Sybil Thorndike, Harcourt Williams and other eminent theatre folk. It is a reflection on the provision, content and status of theatre for young audiences, and ultimately a testimony to the man who Wood considered a friend and mentor.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
"I always enjoy reading other peoples' letters: especially so in the case of this extraordinary correspondence between David Wood, our most dedicated childrens' dramatist, and Frank Whitbourn, for half-a-century his counsellor, friend and first critic. Wood's record of his fight for recognition of children's theatre and Whitbourn's vivid, personal response makes for richly enticing reading."
Michael Billington, Drama Critic
“I think you have unearthed a goldmine with this correspondence. Thank you for sharing the fruits of this friendship with me.”
Irving Wardle, Drama Critic
Marketing Plan
- A collection of letters documenting a fifty-year correspondence between David Wood and his mentor, theatre enthusiast Frank Whitbourn.
- A reflection on theatre for young audiences from 'the national children's dramatist'.
- Includes photographs of both men, documenting the author's development as a playwright, director and producer.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781916668010 |
| PRICE | £6.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 424 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Robin P, Reviewer
Anyone who enjoys theatre visits will love this book. I did. It provides an unique insight of how plays evolve. David Wood OBE has been a mainstay of British theatre ad writer, adapter, producer, director, actor and performer. Through letters spanning five decades of a remarkable friendship with Frank Whitbourn, his mentor, the pair document the ups and downs of successes and failures as David Wood champions the need for children's theatre in the UK.
Adaptations of works by Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton, and Philippa Pearce (to name but a few) have competed for theatre dates with David's own highly successful original plays. This book is a chronicle of how these projects were developed and performed. It's full of witty and wisdom and is an important reminder of how essential creative genius is in the world of theatre.
