Mark Rosenblatt's debut play heads to London and stars an award-winning cast this Autumn for a limited run.
Romola Garai, Rachael Stirling, John Lithgow and Elliot Levey in rehearsals for Giant. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
Here's a first look at the cast of Giant in rehearsals.
Set in 1983, Giant follows the world-famous children's author as he becomes under threat in the wake of a scandal. His novel The Witches is about to hit the shelves, and the outcry at his recent, explicitly antisemitic article isn't dying down. Set across a single afternoon at his family home, the Dahl family are rocked by an unexpectedly explosive confrontation. The author is forced to choose between making a public apology or risking his name and reputation.
Based on real events, Giant uses dark humour to show the difference between thoughtful opinions and harmful ideas, creating a complex picture of a dangerously charming leader.
Directed by Nicholas Hytner (Guys and Dolls), the play stars an epic cast including Tony and Golden Globe-winner John Lithgow (The Crown) stars as Roald Dahl with Olivier Award-winner Elliot Levey (Cold War) as Tom Maschler, Dahl’s British Jewish Publisher. Rachael Stirling (The Divine Mrs S) is Felicity Crosland, Roald Dahl’s fiancée; alongside Romola Garai (Scoop) as Jessie Stone, Dahl’s Jewish American publisher; Tessa Bonham Jones (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) as Hallie, the Dahl family’s housekeeper; and Richard Hope (Hijack) as Wally Saunders, Dahl’s handyman.
Giant will play at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs in the Royal Court Theatre from 20 September until 16 November 2024.
