Kipper’s journey from page to stage
Until December 30
Kipper’s Snowy Day
Norden Farm Centre for the Arts and Slot Machine Theatre
Family show Kipper’s Snowy Day has opened at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead. It is based on the award winning children's books about Kipper the Dog by Mick Inkpen, who describes how Kipper came to the page then the stage.
Where did the inspiration for Kipper the Dog come from? Do you have a dog?
Kipper isn’t based on a real dog. I needed a character around which I could write a number of stories, so I took the dog from The Blue Balloon, my first really successful picture book, stood him up on his back legs and made him the hero of his own series.
Sadly we don’t have a dog; rescue rabbits, Russian hamsters, but no dog.
Where does Kipper’s name come from?
From a long list of possibilities. I wanted something that would stick in the mind because it was slightly quirky. And since Kipper is kipper coloured the name just seemed to fit.
What comes first in the creative process of writing a book – the story or the illustrations?
Usually the writing comes first but it can be either. If I’m working with a new character I need to see what he or she looks like before I create the story. In the case of Kipper it was definitely the visual that brought him into being. There is an advantage in doing both. If I get writer’s or illustrator’s block I can switch roles and that unblocks everything.
Kipper’s Snowy Day was first adapted into a stage show by Norden Farm and Slot Machine in 2014. How did it feel to see one of your characters come to life on stage?
It was a really rewarding experience working with both Norden Farm and Slot Machine.
Rather than a literal interpretation of my books it was more important to me that Slot Machine had free rein to explore the stories from a playful theatrical perspective, provided they captured the character of Kipper and the spirit of the books. They have absolutely done that.
Was it different to when Kipper was adapted for animation?
Another rewarding experience, but a very different one, largely due to the fact that instead of one production, 78 episodes were needed in a very short space of time, involving a much larger team of people based both in the UK and abroad. Hectic is the word.
What would be your favourite Snowy Day activity?
We live in the Suffolk countryside and when it snows heavily the lanes fill up and occasionally we’ll get snowed in. That’s the time to get out and walk. Next to our garden there is a hill that is very good for tobogganing.
People from the village cross the garden to climb the hill, and we dust off an old wooden toboggan to join them. I have a sign which reads, HAVE FUN, BUT DON’T HIT THE FENCE!
Which of your own books is your favourite?
Usually the one I am working on.
Do you have a favourite wintery or festive book?
You can’t really beat A Christmas Carol.