Well, he is a modern day pied piper, isn’t he, so it makes sense that Russell Brand has now written the book – or at least re-told the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, in his own anarchic and totally unpatronising style. The book, which is out on November 6th, is the first in what will be a series of Trickster Tales by Brand, with two more to come, and we’re sure the set will become instant modern classics for children. The Pied Piper of Hamelin fizzes with Brand’s inventive intelligence and wit, and the stupendous illustrations by Chris Riddell are up there with the best we’ve ever seen. To celebrate this new project, Brand is doing an event, produced by his publisher, Canongate, which bills itself no doubt not inaccurately as a ‘family-friendly theatrical spectacular’ at the Royal Albert Hall. It sounds great. There will be magic, storytelling, live art by Riddell, and original (and live) music by composer Peter Raeburn, plus a whole host of characters on stage from naughty rats and arrogant townspeople to the hero, sharp-eyed Sam, as well as, of course, the Pied Piper himself.
All profits from the event will go to a range of literacy charities, and a good lot of tickets for the show have been donated to schools and children’s charities – so the evening really is all about celebrating story telling, and the audience will be on for having fun. Tickets (which include a copy of the book) will no doubt sell fast so do book now.
