The Big Friendly Giant is stepping out of the pages of Roald Dahl’s classic tale and onto the stage, as the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) announces full casting for The BFG — a major new theatrical adaptation by Tom Wells.
Brimming with puppetry, wonder and Dahl’s signature dark humour, the world premiere opens at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 25 November 2025, before transferring to Chichester Festival Theatre in spring 2026. The production will then travel to Singapore’s Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay for a limited international run — the first RSC production to do so.
Directed by Daniel Evans, the show reimagines Dahl’s much-loved story for a new generation, charting the unlikely friendship between a fearless young orphan and a dream-catching giant.
“After many months of invention, workshops and creative conversations, it feels incredible to be sharing a rehearsal room with such a talented company,” said Evans. “This inspiring story tells us that when we have the courage to make our dreams a reality, we can change the world.”
Full company announced
The RSC has confirmed the full cast for the world premiere production, joining the previously announced John Leader (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) as the Big Friendly Giant and Helena Lymbery (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Grace Pervades, and Ballet Shoes.) as The Queen.
Also previously announced were Martha Bailey Vine, Elsie Laslett and Ellemie Shivers as Sophie, alongside Charlotte Jones, Maisy Lee and Uma Patel as her best friend Kimberley.
Newly joining the company are Richard Riddell as the terrifying giant Bloodbottler, Sargon Yelda as Tibbs the Butler, and Philip Labey and Luke Sumner as Captains Smith and Frith.
Completing the ensemble are Parkey Abeyratne, J.R. Ballantyne, Sonya Cullingford, Ailsa Dalling, Fred Davis, Elisa de Grey, Lottie Johnson, Shaun McCourt, Corey Mitchell, Aki Nakagawa, Onioluwa Taiwo, and Ben Thompson, who will bring the fantastical world of The BFG to life through puppetry, movement and live performance.
A dreamy new adaptation from Tom Wells
Based on Roald Dahl’s darkly comic and imaginative novel, this new adaptation by Tom Wells (The Kitchen Sink, Jumpers for Goalposts) with dramaturgy and additional material by Jenny Worton follows Sophie, a young orphan who is whisked away to Giant Country and discovers her unlikely ally – the dream-catching, snozzcumber-eating BFG.
Together, they hatch a daring plan to stop the other giants from devouring children across the world. In the end, the smallest human bean and the gentlest giant prove that a dream can change everything.
Creative team and design vision
Directed by Daniel Evans (Born with Teeth), the production features puppetry design and direction by Toby Olié, set design by Vicki Mortimer, costumes by Kinnetia Isidore, lighting by Zoe Spurr, and video design by Akhila Krishnan.
Chris Fisher provides illusions, Oleta Haffner composes the score, and Carolyn Downing designs sound. Ira Mandela Siobhan serves as choreographer and movement director, with Daisy Beattie and Seb Mayer as puppetry co-designers.
A global collaboration for Roald Dahl’s The BFG
Produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Chichester Festival Theatre, the Roald Dahl Story Company, Singapore Repertory Theatre, and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, the production marks a major new international partnership between leading theatre-makers.
RSC Co-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey said: “We are thrilled to be working with Singapore Repertory Theatre and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay to share this exhilarating stage adaptation with audiences here in the UK and across the globe. This latest announcement is one of a number of exciting international collaborations currently in development at the RSC.”
The BFG tickets and performance dates
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
? 25 November 2025 – 7 February 2026
Chichester Festival Theatre
? 9 March – 11 April 2026
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore
? From 22 April 2026
More from the RSC
The RSC’s slate continues beyond The BFG. Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical celebrates 15 years in the West End at the Cambridge Theatre, booking until 17 January 2027, with a new UK & Ireland tour now playing nationwide.
My Neighbour Totoro — winner of six Olivier Awards — is now playing at the West End’s Gillian Lynne Theatre, booking to 29 March 2026. The celebrated Studio Ghibli adaptation is produced by the RSC with original composer Joe Hisaishi and adapted for the stage by Tom Morton-Smith.
Two further RSC productions transfer to the Barbican Theatre: Wendy & Peter Pan (21 Oct – 22 Nov 2025), starring Toby Stephens as Captain Hook, and Twelfth Night (8 Dec 2025 – 17 Jan 2026), starring Samuel West and Freema Agyeman.
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