Critically acclaimed new drama Giant is to transfer to the West End, starring Johannes Lithgow.

Mark Rosenblatt’s new play, which premiered at the Royal Court Theater earlier this year, will run at the Harold Pinter Theater from April 26 to August 2, 2025.

Johannes Lithgow (3rd Rock From the Sun) stars as Roald Dahl in drama, and is joined by Elliot Levey (Cold War, Patriots, Good) as Tom Maschler, Dahl’s British Jewish publisher.

Further casting to be announced.

The Royal Court production, which ran from September 20 to November 16, 2024, also starred Rachel 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.

The play received great reviews from critics for its Royal Court run, and news of a transfer to the West End was highly anticipated.

Giant is produced in the West End by Brian and Dayna Lee, Stephanie Kramer and Nicole Kramer, Josh Fiedler and Robyn Goodman.

Giant at the Royal Court Theatre. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Giant at the Royal Court Theatre. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Giant at the Royal Court Theatre. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Giant at the Royal Court Theatre. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Giant at the Royal Court Theatre. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Giant at the Royal Court Theatre. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Giant at the Royal Court Theatre. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Giant at the Royal Court Theatre. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Written by Mark Rosenblatt, Giant is directed by Nicholas Hytner. The creative team also includes design by Bob Crowley, lighting design by Anna Watson and sound design by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite.

Set in the summer of 1983, The Witches is about to hit shelves and Roald Dahl makes last minute changes. But the outrage over his recent, explicitly anti-Semitic article will not subside.

During one afternoon at his family’s 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 true events, the drama by Mark Rosenblatt Giant delves into the fine line between thoughtful discourse and harmful rhetoric. Combining dark humor with sharp insight, the play paints a complex portrait of Dahl, a dangerously charismatic figure, who explores the consequences of inflammatory public statements and the impact of anti-Semitic comments in the media.

Giant plays from April 26 to August 2, 2025 at the Harold Pinter Theater.

More about tickets for Giant at the Royal Court Theater in London

What they said

Mark Rosenblatt says: “The premiere of GIANT, my first play, at the legendary Royal Court Jerwood Theater Downstairs was a beautiful, dazzling and life-changing experience. If the journey had ended there, it would have been enough. But to now have Nick Hytner’s superlative production transferred to the West End to be experienced by a wider audience exceeds all my expectations.”

John Lithgow says: “For over sixty years the Royal Court Theater has been the home of great new plays. Together with writer Mark Rosenblatt and director Nick Hytner, they have launched another remarkable new play. I am happy and proud to be part of the first journey into a wider world.”

Brian and Dayna Lee say: “Since we first read Mark’s debut piece, we expected audiences to experience his extraordinary work. After sold out houses and an exciting debut at the Royal Court, we are ecstatic to bring GIANT to the West End with the astonishing John Lithgow as Roald Dahl. Together with our partners Stephanie Kramer & Nicole Kramer and Josh Fielder & Robyn Goodman, we look forward to audiences having the opportunity to experience this bold, courageous and pivotal piece of theater that will stay with you long after the curtain falls.”

David Byrne, Artistic Director of The Royal Court said: “Mark Rosenblatt’s GIANT is an astonishing debut play that comes brilliantly to life in Nicholas Hynter’s thrilling production. I’m incredibly proud to have had GIANT as part of my first season at the Royal Court, with both Mark and Nick making their Royal Court debuts. With the exception of our famous rush seats on Monday evening, GIANT sold every available ticket for the premiere at the Royal Court before the first preview. I am thrilled that it is moving to the West End, under the direction of the incomparable John Lithgow, so that more audiences can enjoy this moving new play.”

📷 Main photo: Giant at the Royal Court Theatre. John Lithgow as Roald Dahl. Photo by Manuel Harlan

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