The Royal Court Theatre in London has revealed full casting for Giant starring John Lithgow, directed by Nicholas Hytner.
Mark Rosenblatt’s drama will star Rachael Stirling (The Divine Mrs S) as Felicity Crosland, Roald Dahl’s fiancée; 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.
They join Tony and Golden Globe-winner John Lithgow (Killers of the Flower Moon, The Crown) as Roald Dahl, and Olivier Award-winner Elliot Levey (Cold War, Patriots, Good) as Tom Maschler, Dahl’s British Jewish Publisher.
Award-winner Nicholas Hytner (Guys & Dolls) directs, with a creative team that also includes design by Bob Crowley, lighting design by Anna Watson, sound design by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, casting by Arthur Carrington, with Bellaray Bertrand-Webb as Assistant Director and Jaimie Todd as Associate Designer.
In the play, Dahl’s family and Jewish publisher gather to navigate the fall-out from Dahl’s recent antisemitic outbursts in the press. Inspired by real events, Giant explores with dark humour the difference between considered opinion and dangerous rhetoric offering a complicated portrait of a fiendishly charismatic icon.
Giant is playing at the Royal Court from 20 September to 16 November 2024.
The production is part of the Royal Court’s new 2024 season, under the Court’s new artistic director David Byrne.
Book tickets to Giant at the Royal Court Theatre in London.
What They Said
Actor Tessa Bonham Jones said:
‘I’m beyond excited to be working with Nick again and with these wonderful actors whom I’ve admired for so long. Mark’s play is provocative and brilliant. It’s a privilege to be performing it at the Royal Court, a bucket list theatre of mine ever since coming to the UK.’
Actor Romola Garai said:
‘Giant is an extraordinary piece of new writing and I couldn’t be more honoured to be part of bringing this fascinating, knotty, complicated, and unafraid piece to audiences for the first time.’
Actor Richard Hope said:
‘Delighted to be back at the Royal Court. theatre with a capital T!’
Actor Elliot Levey said:
‘What an honour to be making my Royal Court debut playing a man so central to its history. Tom Maschler is in the marrow of the Royal Court. It was his second home. John Osbourne, Arnold Wesker, George Devine, Tony Richardson – all the gang in those early heady days – owed something of their careers to Tom. Rosenblatt’s new play couldn’t be more timely, brilliant and revelatory – it packs a punch. I’m thrilled to be coming along for the ride. Maschler and the old gang would be proud of this one.’
Actor John Lithgow said:
‘I’m thrilled to be performing at The Royal Court where I’ve seen so much great work, stretching all the way back to the late 1960’s. There’s no better place to unveil Mark Rosenblatt’s stunning new play.’
Actor Rachael Stirling said:
‘I am beyond thrilled to be a part of the first staging of this extraordinary and incendiary new play.’
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