‘Wacky and wonderful’: Streep, Cumberbatch and more read James and the Giant Peach in new series

Taika Waititi’s re-telling of the Roald Dahl classic, James and the Giant Peach, will feature readings from Meryl Streep, Benedict Cumberbatch and more to raise money for Covid-19 relief.

As a story about creativity, resilience, perseverance and enduring friendship, James and the Giant Peach is incredibly relevant to the current pandemic.

That’s why Oscar-winning director Taika Waititi has organised a celebrity re-telling of the Roald Dahl classic with a charitable aim.

Partnering with The Roald Dahl Story Company, the story series hopes to raise money for Partners in Health — a non-profit organisation that partners with local governments to deliver health care to the world’s poorest places.

Each donation will be generously matched by The Roald Dahl Story Company, with an aim to raise $1 million.

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There are ten parts in total; the first episode debuted yesterday, featuring Waititi as narrator as well as Nick Kroll and Chris and Liam Hemsworth — who do a chucklesome rendition of spinsters Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker.

Episode two is also available to watch and is expertly read by Meryl Streep and Benedict Cumberbatch.

“This wacky, wonderful tale is about resilience in children, triumph over adversity and dealing with a sense of isolation”

The remaining episodes will be released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the Roald Dahl Youtube channel and will feature many more of Waititi’s famous friends.

Other celebrities to appear include: Cate Blanchett, Josh Gad, Mindy Kaling, Lupita Nyong’o, Ryan Reynolds, Sarah Paulson, Gordon Ramsay, Eddie Redmayne, Ryan Reynolds, Tessa Thompson, Olivia Wilde, Ruth Wilson and Archie Yates.

“Being an adult child myself and having read James and the Giant Peach to my girls multiple times, I’m excited to be able to partner with my friends, the Dahl team and Partners In Health and re-tell this story to help those most in need right now,” said Waititi.

“This wacky, wonderful tale is about resilience in children, triumph over adversity and dealing with a sense of isolation which couldn’t be more relevant today.”

Donations can be made through the Partners in Health website and will help provide health care access to vulnerable communities affected by Covid-19.

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