Watch Taika Waititi and his famous friends read a Roald Dahl classic
What’s better than a classic tale to soothe you into a restful slumber? Storytime with your favourite celebs, of course! To help raise money for charity, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi is reading cherished children’s book James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. Taking this fairytale reading to the next level, he’s summoned help from some very famous faces including Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate Blanchett, Chris Hemsworth and acting icon Meryl Streep.
The YouTube series, which kicked off on May 18, sees a colourful cast of characters read the 1961 novel about the journey of an orphaned boy who accidentally grows a gigantic magical peach and meets some friendly insect friends along the way. Over ten episodes, Taika will be joined by a star-studded line-up of mates including Utkarsh Ambudkar, Jamie Cullum, Roman Griffin Davis, Cara Delevingne, Cynthia Erivo, Beanie Feldstein, Josh Gad, Liam Hemsworth, Mindy Kaling, Nick Kroll, Kumail Nanjiani, Lupita Nyong’o, Sarah Paulson, Billy Porter, Gordon Ramsay, Eddie Redmayne, Ryan Reynolds, Ben Schwartz, Tessa Thompson, Olivia Wilde, Ruth Wilson, Archie Yates and many more.
The series is helping to raise money for Partners In Health, which works on the front lines with in-need communities to build health systems, protect the vulnerable and save lives. While the readings are free to watch, you can choose to make a donation to the cause here. All donations will be generously matched by the Roald Dahl Story Company (up to the value of $1 million).
Want to fall asleep whilst a Hemsworth reads you some short fiction? Readings happen every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the Roald Dahl YouTube channel.
Image credit: YouTube