GIANT

A New Play (by me)

Royal Court Theatre Downstairs, London: 20 September – 16 November 2024

“I wanted to put you bang in the picture. Apprise you of the difficulties. Because, in case you hadn’t noticed, he’s a human fucking booby trap. And now, guess what, surprise surprise, boom!”

A world-famous children’s author under threat. A battle of wills in the wake of scandal. And one chance to make amends…

It’s the summer of 1983, The Witches is about to hit the shelves and Roald Dahl is making last-minute edits. But the outcry at his recent, explicitly antisemitic article won’t die down.

Across a single afternoon at his family home, and rocked by an unexpectedly explosive confrontation, Dahl is forced to choose: make a public apology or risk his name and reputation.

Inspired by real events, Mark Rosenblatt’s debut play explores with dark humour the difference between considered opinion and dangerous rhetoric.

Directed by Nicholas Hytner (Guys & Dolls, History Boys, One Man Two Guvnors) and starring Oscar nominee and Tony and Golden Globe-winner John Lithgow (Killers of the Flower Moon, The Crown) as Roald Dahl, alongside Olivier Award-winner Elliot Levey (Cold War, Cabaret, Good), BAFTA-nominee Romola Garai (Atonement, The Hour), Olivier Award-nominee Rachael Stirling (Tipping The Velvet), Richard Hope and Tessa Bonham Jones. Giant offers a complicated portrait of a fiendishly charismatic icon.

Giant is designed by Bob Crowley, lit by Anna Watson, with sound design by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite.

For more information and tickets, click HERE.

RIGHTS ENQUIRIES: If you’re interested, please contact my agent, Katie Haines: khaines@theagency.co.uk

Click HERE to listen to me & Susan Wokoma discuss GIANT on The Royal Court’s Playwright’s Podcast.