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.

“I think you have unearthed a goldmine with this correspondence.” Irving Wardle (Drama Critic)

“…With gallons of charm, flavouring of witty nostalgia, and a headlong enthusiasm for the life he chose… I inhaled every last puff.” Michael Coveney (Drama Critic)

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[Pictured: David Wood]

David Wood OBE is ‘the national children’s dramatist’ (The Times). His plays are performed worldwide and include adaptations of eight Roald Dahl stories, the Olivier award-winning Goodnight Mister Tom, from Michelle Magorian’s novel, and the Olivier award-nominated The Tiger Who Came To Tea, from Judith Kerr’s classic picture book. Original plays include The Gingerbread Man, The Selfish Shellfish and Save The Human. His children’s books include Mole’s Bedtime Story and Funny Bunny’s Magic Show, both co-created with Richard Fowler, and The See-Saw Tree, illustrated by Joanna Padfield. He lives in Wimbledon.

David says, “When Frank Whitbourn died, I realised that I had kept most of his letters and copies of many of my letters to him. And his sister returned to me the letters of mine he had kept. I felt that the edited correspondence might be of interest, partly because it features the delightful and witty writing of Frank Whitbourn, but also reveals how theatre for young people, despite being generally undervalued, developed during the latter half of the twentieth century.”

Publication date: 28th June 2023

ISBN 9781915603876

Price £12.99