Acaster, Adefope and Ranganathan to narrate Roald Dahl audiobooks

Comedians James Acaster, Romesh Ranganathan and Lolly Adefope are to narrate three audio editions of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, George’s Marvellous Medicine and The Witches for Puffin. The new audiobooks will be released on 9th June this year.

James Keyte, audio senior commissioning editor commented: “We are so excited to add three new names to our list of iconic Roald Dahl narrators, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience these hilarious new recordings. James Acaster’s impromptu singing, Romesh’s wry Grandma and Lolly’s fearsome High Witch produce audio moments that will last you a lifetime. These new audiobooks have been recorded and produced by the full Penguin Random House Studio team and you can hear how much fun they have had on every minute of the recording.”

In a statement, the Roald Dahl Story Company said: “Listening to Roald Dahl stories on audio is a brilliant way for the whole family to share the experience, whether travelling in the car or relaxing together at home. The calibre of these new readings is quite exceptional. Huge thanks to Lolly Adefope, James Acaster and Romesh Ranganathan for bringing such energy, joy and nuance to each of their performances and, as ever, to Penguin Studios for the unparallelled SFX sound production.”

The new audio editions will sit side by side an existing range of Dahl audiobooks, including Matilda narrated by Kate Winslet and The Twits, voiced by Richard Ayoade. The re-recordings mark the start of a long-term strategy to bring more Dahl stories to life in audio over the next three years, with the aim to make Dahl the leading brand in the children’s audio space.

Adefope, star of BBC’s "Ghosts", said: “It was a joy to narrate such an iconic story as Roald Dahl’s The Witches. I found it just as scary as when I read and watched it as a child, and I can’t wait for you to listen.”

Ranganathan, comedian, author and TV presenter, added; “I’m really excited to have narrated the new audiobook of George’s Marvellous Medicine, in which George decides to teach his nasty old Grandma a lesson. My boys have really got into audiobooks over the last couple of years, they’ve certainly helped me out on some long car journeys. I can’t wait for them to listen; I think they’ll be impressed by my Grandma voice – it’s the performance of a lifetime.”

Acaster, host of the "Off Menu" podcast, said; “I’m thrilled to have narrated the new audiobook of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, a story about a boy who triumphs over adversity and embarks on an adventure with various giant insectoid companions, leaving behind his horrid aunts. I had so much fun with this performance, creating different voices for the Earth Worm, Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker and Mr Centipede! I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed recording it.”