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David Sedaris: The Santaland Diaries

David Sedaris was not always an award-winning writer and satirist. For two consecutive Christmases, he was elf at a New York department store. These are extracts from his diaries.

David Sedaris wasn't always an award-winning writer and satirist. For two consecutive Christmases in the early 1990s, he was a Christmas elf at Santaland in the famous New York department store, Macy's. These are hilarious extracts from his diaries at the time.

"My costume is green. I wear moss-colored velvet breeches, an emerald smock, and a stocking cap decorated with spangles. This is my work uniform. My elf name is Crumpet, and I was allowed to chose it myself, which is something."

The Santaland Diaries drew David's writing to the attention of America and the World. He hasn't read them out loud for nearly twenty years - but has agreed to read them once more for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4.

The original recording of the story, made for Morning Edition on America's National Public Radio (NPR), has been aired every Christmas since it was first broadcast. A very much shortened version was also recorded by David for Radio 4 in 1996.

Crumpet, the little elf in the perky green cap, is re-born - and you'll never hear Billie Holiday in the same way ever again.

Writer/Performer: David Sedaris

Produced by Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4.

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 29 Dec 2017 11:30

Credits

Role Contributor
Performer David Sedaris
Writer David Sedaris
Producer Steve Doherty

Broadcasts

  • Christmas Eve 2014 11:30
  • Fri 29 Dec 2017 11:30