- The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is adapting The BFG for the stage in 2025.
- The play will run for 10 weeks at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
- Directed by Daniel Evans, it will be the first RSC Dahl adaptation since Matilda the Musical.
- The book’s language changes will not significantly impact the stage adaptation.
- The BFG remains one of the most popular children’s books, selling over 21 million copies.
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has announced an exciting new stage adaptation of The BFG, Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s novel. Collaborating with the Chichester Festival Theatre and the Roald Dahl Story Company, the production will open in 2025 at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. The show is set for a 10-week run during the festive season, bringing the magical tale to life for audiences of all ages.
This adaptation marks RSC’s first Dahl production since the massive success of Matilda the Musical, which debuted in 2010. Matilda went on to become an international hit, playing in over 100 cities and winning 101 awards.
A Timeless Tale of Friendship and Adventure
First published in 1982, The BFG follows the story of Sophie, a young orphan who befriends a kind-hearted giant. Together, they embark on a mission to stop other, more fearsome giants from eating children. The book remains one of Dahl’s most popular works, with over 21 million copies sold worldwide.
The play will be directed by RSC’s co-artistic director, Daniel Evans, with playwright Tom Wells adapting the script. Wells, known for Broken Biscuits, The Kitchen Sink, and Me, As A Penguin, will bring his signature style to the classic tale.
Evans expressed his excitement about the project, highlighting its universal appeal. Speaking to BBC News, he stated, “Everyone has dreams, and this story shows that if you believe hard enough, your dreams can come true.”
Adapting The BFG for Modern Audiences
One of the most memorable characters in The BFG is the Queen, who helps Sophie and the giant save the children. The character was originally based on Queen Elizabeth II, and Evans noted that this makes her presence in the story even more poignant for modern audiences.
In recent years, Dahl’s works have undergone edits to remove language deemed outdated or offensive. The BFG was among the books revised in 2023, with changes such as replacing “You’ve gone white as a sheet!” with “You’ve gone still as a statue!” and removing the giant’s “black” cloak description.
However, Evans dismissed concerns over these changes affecting the play. “It’s almost irrelevant in theatre,” he explained. “The text will be adapted by the playwright, who will have a vision for how the characters should be presented.” He noted that certain language or scenes might be altered or cut altogether in the adaptation process.
Previous Adaptations and Lasting Legacy
The BFG has been adapted multiple times, including the 2016 film directed by Steven Spielberg, which starred Sir Mark Rylance as the giant and Ruby Barnhill as Sophie. The book was also turned into an animated film in 1989.
The Roald Dahl Story Company has a history of successful stage adaptations, including The Witches, The Magic Finger, and The Enormous Crocodile. However, Matilda the Musical remains the most successful, continuing its run at London’s Cambridge Theatre while preparing for a UK tour in autumn 2025.
Dahl’s legacy is a complicated one. Despite being the UK’s most popular author and selling over 300 million books in 64 languages, his history of antisemitic comments has drawn criticism. In 2020, his family issued a formal apology for his remarks, acknowledging the “lasting and understandable hurt” they caused.
A Highly Anticipated Theatrical Event
With a rich legacy and a timeless story, The BFG’s stage adaptation is poised to captivate audiences in 2025. Combining Wells’ fresh storytelling with Evans’ direction, the production promises to bring Dahl’s beloved world to life while ensuring its relevance to modern theatre.
Fans of Dahl’s work and newcomers alike will have a chance to experience this magical adventure on stage, proving once again that great stories never lose their power.