JOHN Masefield was the founding father of fantasy fiction who pointed the way to the Harry Potter phenomenon.
That is the verdict on the Ledbury-born former Poet Laureate by the chairman of the Masefield Society, Peter Carter.
Speaking about the forthcoming screening of The Box of Delights at the Market Theatre, Mr Carter said: "Before Harry Potter, Narnia and the Lord of the Rings, Masefield created a fabulous world of magic, time travel, flying cars and wizards.
"Written in 1935, The Times described Masefield's story as one of the greatest children's books ever written."
The BBC production of the story, from 1984, features the former Dr Who, Patrick Troughton, as the mysterious Cole Hawkins. Much of the film was shot at Eastnor Castle.
The screening will be at 7.30pm on Saturday, November 22. Tickets are available now from the Ledbury TIC.
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