Kicker in a dress

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kicker im Kleid (Original title: The Boy in The Dress ) is an English children's book from 2008, written by David Walliams and illustrated by Quentin Blake . It is the first book by Walliams, a comedy actor who u. a. became known through the series Little Britain . The book was first published in German in 2010 in a translation by Dorothee Haentjes-Holländer .

The book tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who loves to wear opposite-sex clothing and the reactions of those around him. It is aimed at young readers between the ages of eight and twelve and aims to teach children that crossdressing is not bad, but rather harmless fun that you shouldn't be ashamed of. The book was made into a film for British television. A musical is in preparation (as of summer 2019).

action

The story follows a 12-year-old boy named Dennis and his 14-year-old brother John, whose parents divorced when Dennis was seven. The children stayed with their father. Dennis plays football well and is also the best on the team. However, he misses his mother very much and finds solace in an old picture of his mother in a yellow dress. When he sees the same dress on the cover of Vogue , he immediately orders it from Raj, a local shopkeeper. When his father finds the fashion magazine, he is beside himself. His brother John immediately teases him by calling him "Denise". On the same day at school, Dennis receives a penalty for accidentally hitting a soccer ball in a window pane. While in detention , he chats with Lisa James, the most beautiful and fashionable girl in school. Lisa invites him to her house, shows him her clothes and puts him in girls' clothes. When Dennis wears a bright blue dress, Lisa comes up with the idea of ​​taking Dennis out in public. His alter ego should now be "Denise", a French exchange student who speaks little English. You go to Raj's corner store first. Raj does not recognize Dennis and actually thinks he has Denise in front of him. Encouraged by this experience, the children decide that “Denise” must also go to school.

Dennis immediately annoys his French teacher by criticizing her French accent. During the break, "Denise" plays soccer, slips and is recognized as a boy. The headmaster, Mr. Hawtrey, expelled Dennis from school because of his girls' clothing. Dennis' father is angry and sends Dennis to his room. Darvesh, Dennis' best friend and Sikh , comes by but is sent away by his father. Encouraged by Darvesh, Dennis goes to an important soccer game over the weekend. The whole team supports Dennis and wants him to play in a dress. You win against the rival team from Maudlin Street. Dennis' father, who watched the game, forgives Dennis. On an early Sunday morning, Dennis is suddenly notified by Raj that instead of the usual, this time the headmaster, Mr. Hawtrey, is not getting his Sunday newspaper, but his sister Doris. Raj notes that "there is something weird about her". Lisa and Dennis go to the little shop and realize that Doris is none other than Mr. Hawtrey, who is wearing a woman's skirt and pumps . The two now blackmail the caught to tell everyone about his transvestite inclinations if Dennis were not re-admitted to school, to which Mr. Hawtrey agrees.

At the end of the story, Dennis, John and their father overcome their mother's departure; Dennis and Lisa remain friends, and John takes more care of his younger brother.

reception

Criticism and the press noted the response to Walliams' own crossdressing. Fridtjof Küchemann writes in the FAZ that Walliams courageously tackles his actual topic, without raising it, but also not neglecting or underestimating any of his topics.

controversy

The sale of the book The Boy in the Dress in Australia by the German Aldi group led to criticism from some customers in September 2017. Since an official survey on same-sex marriage was taking place at the same time ("Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey"), one customer assumed that this book was pursuing the agenda of "approaching children and sexualizing them", while others accused Aldi of " child abuse ", combined with a call for a boycott . Other customers, however, defended the company.

Allusions

Dennis father snapped at his son "... never again Small England , or whatever it is!". French teacher Miss Windsor cut detention because she wanted to watch the latest episode of Neighbors at home ( changed to The Young and the Restless in the US ).

Release history

As a book

The book was launched in October 2008 as a hardcover published by HarperCollins published. Walliams and his comedy partner Matt Lucas recorded an audio book that same year . The paperback edition followed in July 2013. The publisher is said to have signed Walliams for a second book.

As a film

The material was implemented as a television film for BBC One and premiered there on December 26, 2014 at 6:55 p.m. Filming began on October 19, 2014. The cast, including Jennifer Saunders and Kate Moss , was announced two days later.

As a musical

The Royal Shakespeare Company is producing a musical for the winter season 2019 in Stratford-upon-Avon , which will bring the story to the London stage (premiere: November 8, 2019 in Stratford-upon-Avon). Music and lyrics are by Guy Chambers and Robbie Williams , the screenplay by Mark Ravenhill . Directed by Gregory Doran .

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Jessica Salter: David Walliams in Bond Street as a 'laydee' , Daily Telegraph . August 7, 2008. Retrieved January 21, 2009. 
  2. ^ Filth and fame: how David Walliams became king of kids' books . In: The Guardian , 2017-070-25. Retrieved July 29, 2019. 
  3. ↑ a b c Walliams book has laydee's touch . In: BBC News Online . Retrieved July 29, 2019. 
  4. ↑ orange? Not your color! Review in the FAZ on November 5, 2010
  5. ↑ Dana McCauley: Aldi has been criticized for stocking a kids' book about a boy in a dress . news.au. 6th September 2017.
  6. ↑ Jeffery, Morgan: David Walliams' Boy in the Dress to be BBC One film for Christmas 2014 . Digital spy. March 10, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  7. ↑ according to Walliams' Twitter page
  8. ↑ Kate Moss joins David Walliams BBC comedy . October 21, 2014.
  9. ^ Robbie Williams writes music for play of David Walliams' book . In: Mail Online . Retrieved July 29, 2019. 
  10. ^ Robbie Williams and David Walliams team up for The Boy In The Dress musical with Royal Shakespeare Company (en-GB) . In: iNews , May 25, 2018. Accessed July 29, 2019.