Here’s What We Know About GIANT’s Spring West End Transfer

7 days ago

John Lithgow is back playing children’s author Roald Dahl in this acclaimed production

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Penned by Mark Rosenblatt, directed by Nicholas Hytner and designed by Bob Crowley, the Royal Court’s critically acclaimed 2024 production of GIANT is set to return to London this spring. It was a sell-out when it completed its off-West End run at the Royal Court last September, and is currently nominated for five Olivier Awards. Here’s how to get tickets this time around.

GIANT Transfers To The West End This Spring

‘Premiering GIANT, my first play, at the legendary Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs has been a wonderful, dizzying and life-changing experience,’ says GIANT creator Mark Rosenblatt. ‘Had its journey ended there, it would have been plenty. But to have Nick Hytner’s superlative production now transfer to the West End to be experienced by a wider audience is far beyond my every expectation.’

John Lithgow in the Royal Court production of GIANT (© Manuel Harlan)

What Is GIANT About?

Summer, 1983. The Witches is about to hit the shelves, and Roald Dahl is making last minute edits. But a recent outcry is overshadowing his efforts…

GIANT unfolds over the course of an afternoon in Roald Dahl’s family home, and is based on true events. After an antisemetic outburst in the press, the beloved children’s author is forced to navigate the fallout, and come to a decision: make a public apology, or risk his reputation forever.

It’s a timely, complicated portrait of one of Britain’s best-loved writers.

The Cast

Tony Award-winning actor John Lithgow will reprise his leading role as Roald Dahl, joined by Olivier Award-winner Elliot Levey as Tom Maschler.

They will be joined by Rachael Stirling as Felicity Crosland, Richard Hope as Wally Saunders, and Tessa Bonham Jones as Hallie, all reprising their roles. Completing the cast is Aya Cash who will star as US publisher Jessie Stone in her West End debut.

‘For over sixty years, the Royal Court Theatre has been the cradle of great new playwriting,’ Lithgow says. ‘Along with writer Mark Rosenblatt and director Nick Hytner, they have launched another remarkable new play. I am happy and proud to be a part of its first trip out into a wider world.’