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BFG's Giant Puppets Dwarf All Expectations
25 Nov
Summary
- The Royal Shakespeare Company stages Roald Dahl's The BFG.
- Puppets range from over 16 feet to less than 8 inches tall.
- The show uses scale to visually represent power dynamics.
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) presents a theatrical adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved "The BFG," featuring an awe-inspiring spectacle of puppetry. The production highlights an innovative use of scale, with puppets ranging from an imposing 16.4-foot BFG to tiny, 7.8-inch iterations of Sophie, the orphan heroine. This "language of scale" is central to depicting the story's power dynamics, ensuring the audience experiences the characters' vulnerabilities and strengths.
The creative team, including puppet designer Toby Olié and director Daniel Evans, explored various artistic influences, from Nordic trolls to soft textile sculptures, to craft the giants' mythical appearance. The production aims to balance Dahl's signature blend of childlike humor and genuine fright, with moments designed to thrill and amuse audiences. The set design by Vicki Mortimer further enhances the immersive experience, creating distinct realms for reality, myth, and dreams.
With an original score by composer Oleta Haffner, hailed as "John Williams-esque," the production is poised for international success, with early interest from theaters in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. The BFG is scheduled to run in Stratford-upon-Avon before moving to Chichester Festival Theatre, showcasing the RSC's commitment to grand-scale theatrical storytelling and the enduring appeal of Roald Dahl's characters.
