HATED by academics, loved by children, Enid Blyton was a best-selling author whose works were excoriated by critics, banned by the BBC and hated by teachers and librarians. But what was she really like? Liz Grand portrays this controversial figure in The Secret Life of Enid Blyton, a play by Kit Hunter, coming to the Backyard Theatre at  Anchor Street in Watchet, on 17th May.

Virtually everybody of a certain age has read an Enid Blyton book. She was loved by children (except her younger daughter who hated her) but vilified by the arbiters of children’s reading matter.

She sold more than 600 million books, despite all her work being banned by the BBC and many libraries and schools for more than 30 years. She was accused of being a racist and of using such limited vocabulary that it actually hindered children’s reading progress.

Her love-life was interesting and she had numerous affairs including with her children’s nanny. She enjoyed playing golf so much that she bought a golf course near Swanage. She died of Alzheimer’s in 1968 aged 71, mourned by millions of readers all over the world.

The play is presented by On A Role Theatre Company. Liz Grand’s previous shows with On A Role include The Second Best Bed, Where Is Mrs. Christie? and Mrs. Churchill: My life With Winston.