Giant
Enjoy provocative drama and fantastic performances with Giant play tickets
An author under threat, comments that sparked outrage, and the shaky legacy of one of the UK’s most beloved children’s authors: Emmy Award winner John Lithgow reprises his “riveting” (WhatsOnStage) performance as Roald Dahl in Mark Rosenblatt’s Giant play at the Harold Pinter Theatre. After a sold-out world premiere at the Royal Court Theatre – where it was one of the hottest tickets of the season – this smart and snappy show transfers to the West End for a strictly limited season.
Roald Dahl is best known for his long list of children’s books – James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda. But when an article he wrote sparked outrage and accusations of antisemitism, a darker side to this jolly figure of kids’ literature emerged. Set over one tense afternoon, the Giant play plot explores real events through an imagined lunch meeting, during which Dahl is locked in a battle of wills with his publisher. They want him to recant his comments publicly, but is the chance to make amends slipping away?
Mark Rosenblatt’s “spectacularly good” (The Evening Standard) first play, directed by Olivier Award winner Nicholas Hytner (Guys and Dolls, One Man Two Guvnors), features a mesmerising performance by John Lithgow as Roald Dahl. Lithgow is best known for his character-actor roles on screen and stage, including The Crown, Killers of the Flower Moon and 3rd Rock from the Sun. The Giant play cast also features Olivier Award winner Elliot Levey (Cabaret, Quiz) as Dahl’s publisher Tom Maschler, Rachael Stirling (The Divine Mrs S) as Felicity Crosland and Richard Hope (Hijack) as Wally Saunders.
Reviews from the play’s premiere at the Royal Court praised Giant‘s in-depth exploration of separating the art from the artist, with a “terrific” (WhatsOnStage) performance by Lithgow and a plot that “starts off breezily […] before becoming as dark and sharp-toothed as one of Dahl’s fictive monsters” (The Guardian). With an experienced creative team behind it and world-class acting talent, this is a drawing-room drama that confounds expectations.
Don’t miss your chance to see John Lithgow’s incredible transformation into Roald Dahl when the acclaimed Giant play transfers to the West End. Playing for a limited time only, this is one of the best new dramas of the last year, and a guaranteed entertaining – and thought-provoking – night at the theatre.
Child friendly?
The Giant play age recommendation is 14+. The show features antisemitic language, graphic descriptions of violence, strong language, and references to conflict in the Middle East, Israel and Palestine.