There has been huge excitement and interest since the recent announcement of the world premiere of Mark Rosenblatt’s play GIANT, to be directed by Nicholas Hytner at the Royal Court Theatre this autumn. Set in 1983, shortly before the publication of Roald Dahl’s novel The Witches, the play explores Dahl’s antisemitic views as expressed in the media. In an interview that year with The New Statesman, Dahl said:
“ There is a trait in the Jewish character that does provoke animosity….even a stinker like Hitler didn’t just pick on them for no reason”
The cast includes John Lithgow as Roald Dahl and Elliot Levey as his publisher Tom Maschler.
On Tuesday 8 October there will be a special performance for World Jewish Relief to be followed by an exclusive post- show discussion with Mark Rosenblatt and Nicholas Hytner.
All Stall seating is now sold out, Premium Circle and Circle seating is selling fast.
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 (Straight Line Crazy, La Belle Sauvage) and starring Tony and Golden Globe-winner John Lithgow (Killers of the Flower Moon, The Crown), alongside Olivier Award-winner Elliot Levey (Cold War, Cabaret, Good), Giant offers a complicated portrait of a fiendishly charismatic icon.
Originally developed with London Theatre Company.
Giant has been generously supported by a lead gift from Charles Holloway.
All Stall seating is now sold out, Premium Circle and Circle seating is selling fast.
