Roy C. Dicks

Beverley Nichols performer and contributor to Merry Hall, Laughter on the Stairs, Sunlight on the Lawn, and Garden Open Today.

Roy Dicks doesn't just lecture on Beverley Nichols, he becomes him. During his dramatic readings of Nichols's work, Roy channels the tone of Nichols's writing into his performance, often moving the audience to outbursts of laughter and sometimes to tears.

Roy's literary background as a professional librarian allows him to appreciate Nichols's writing, while his dramatic side sees something of the theatrical in Nichols's personality.

Roy himself has worked as a book reviewer and theatre critic for various publications, founded the Raleigh Ensemble Players, acted in 65 stage productions and directed 34 more.

He thanks the late J.C. Raulston, founder of the acclaimed J.C. Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, North Carolina, for his obsession with Beverley Nichols. It was Raulston who first suggested that Roy read Down the Garden Path. Roy was hooked, and went on to collect every one of the sixty books Nichols wrote. He even visited the four Nichols home and garden sites on a trip to England.

Now it is safe to say that he is a world-class Beverley Nichols expert. The Durham Herald-Sun has called him, "a one-man champion of Nichols." New fans can credit the current availability of the Merry Hall trilogy largely to Roy's enthusiasm, for he helped convince Timber Press to reprint the three books. He also contributed updated indexes for the reprints of the Merry Hall trilogy, and penned the forewords for both Laughter on the Stairs and Garden Open Today.

Roy Dicks lives, performs, and indulges in armchair gardening in Raleigh, North Carolina.

To arrange an interview or get in touch with Mr. Dicks, contact the Timber Press publicity department at publicity@timberpress.com