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Giant Tickets

Golden Globe-winner John Lithgow stars as Roald Dahl

This production is recommended for ages 14+.

Performance dates

26 April - 2 August 2025

Run time 2hrs 20mins (inc. interval)

Includes interval

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Giant London tickets

Following a sell-out run at the Royal Court, Giant transfers to the Harold Pinter Theatre. John Lithgow reprises his critically acclaimed role as controversial children’s author Roald Dahl. Playing for a strictly limited run, book your tickets now!

What is Giant about?

“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 f**king boobytrap. 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.

Facts and critical acclaim

  • John Lithgow won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his role in The Changing Room, it was his Broadway debut.
  • A modern-day Shakespeare, Roald Dahl invented more than 500 phizz-whizzing words!
  • Director Nicholas Hytner is best known for the highly acclaimed West End productions, Miss Saigon and The History Boys, and is the recipient of a BAFTA, two Tony Awards, and three Oliviers.

Please bear in mind

This production is recommended for ages 14+

Giant cast

  • Roald Dahl - John Lithgow

Giant creatives

  • Writer - Mark Rosenblatt
  • Director - Nicholas Hytner

The Royal Court's premiere of GIANT and Royal Court Theatre Productions are supported by a gift from Charles Holloway OBE. Key art photography Doron Gild

Upcoming Performance Times

Saturday26 April 2025
Monday28 April 2025
Tuesday29 April 2025
Wednesday30 April 2025
Friday2 May 2025
Saturday3 May 2025
Saturday3 May 2025
19:30
19:00
19:30
19:30
19:30
14:30
19:30

Performance Months

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Access

Audio Described Performance: Saturday July 12th 2025 at 2:30pm, Captioned Performance -Saturday July 19th 2025 at 2.30pm

Recent Reviews

4.8
4 reviews
Robert Walsh

Very enjoyable play, well acted. Serious with nice moments of humour.

ROBERT

JAW-DROPPING performance that provoked critical thought with a "ripped from the headlines" currency and piqued curiosity about Dahl, his beliefs and his relationships. Brilliant play with enough cringeworthy moments to stay with you for days - bravo to all!

Jon S

One of the best theatrical performances I have ever experienced. Dahl laid bare…..

Manoj Parmar

Amazing show with good strong performances all round. The venue was nice and small making the show very intimate.

Latest Giant News

Meet the Cast of Giant

News / Casting

Meet the Cast of Giant

Following a sold-out run at the Royal Court, Giant transfers to the Harold Pinter Theatre for a strictly limited season.

It’s 1983, and Roald Dahl is finalising The Witches, but controversy over his recent antisemitic article won’t fade. As tensions rise in his home, he faces a choice: apologise or risk his legacy. Inspired by real events, Mark Rosenblatt’s debut play uses dark humour to examine the fine line between thoughtful opinion and harmful rhetoric, presenting a complex portrayal of a fiercely charismatic figure.

21 Mar, 2025 | By Hay Brunsdon

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