A new stage adaptation of The BFG (adapted by Tom Wells) opened this week to sold-out preview shows. As my husband, Richard Riddell, plays antagonist Bloodbottler, myself and our two boys Odhran, 10, and Reuben, 7, have been lucky to get a behind the scenes peek in the weeks building up to opening night, and from giant puppets, to flying dreams and 3ft snozzcumbers, the creative team bringing Roald Dahl's classic have something truly special in store for audiences. We spoke to director Daniel Evans (the RSC's co-artistic director) and cast members, John Leader (the BFG) and Richard Riddell (Bloodbottler) to find out why this is a family show you won't want to miss...
Take a Break: What is it about this story that makes it exciting to bring to the stage?
Daniel: 'On the surface, it feels impossible to do on stage. Dreams have to fly through the air, get caught in a net, go into a jar, then into a trumpet and into someone's ear! That's before you've even started thinking about giants! Once we were granted stage rights to do The BFG, me and the team started to imagine!'
Take a Break: Why do Roald Dahl stories still connect with children today?
Daniel: 'They seem to connect with something deep within us - it's often about finding our courage and using our power for good. He's also, famously, not afraid of the more unpleasant things in life, whether that's child-chewing giants, or greedy children who blow up like balloons!'
Take a Break: What were the challenges of bringing the story to stage?
Daniel: 'Huge challenges - how to achieve the sense of scale of a giant? As well as his surroundings. We've taken a route that explores many versions. I don't want to give things away, but audiences will get a few surprises throughout the show.'
Take a Break: Does the story remain true to the book?
Daniel: 'Tom Wells' adaptation is a wonderful combination of keeping true to the novel while adding his own beautiful, tender, funny tone. There are some new inventions (a new character) but mostly it's very close to what we read in the book.'
Take a Break: What have you enjoyed most about directing this show?
Daniel: 'The collaboration with so many different and brilliant people. The creative team are all at the top of their game - whether it's in puppetry design and direction, set, costume, lighting, sound and projection, and illusions - we even have some magic!'
Take a Break: Any more teasers as to what families can look forward to?
Daniel: 'I hope audiences will enjoy the sheer ambition of the production. It's HUGE. But also, I hope they laugh at the wonderful humour, cry at some of the more tender sections, and be amazed at some of the ways we tell the story. As it's a story of hope (where a young child forms an unusual alliance with a giant and a queen to beat the bullies) told with huge puppets, a brilliant company of actors - and incredible designs. You'll come out of the theatre wanting to experience a dream. This is a story about how your imagination can be your superpower as you imagine how the world can be.'
The BFG tells the story of 10-year-old orphan Sophie who is snatched by a giant and taken far away to Giant Country, where human-eating giants are guzzling 'norphans'. But she soon discovers that the Big Friendly Giant is different - he's a gentle soul, who refuses to eat humans. While other giants wreck havoc on the world, the BFG ignites Sophie's imagination, and they devise a plan to save children everywhere. In the end, the smaller human bean and the gentlest giant prove that a dream can change the world.
Take a Break: How do you feel about taking on the role of the beloved BFG?
John: 'It's been made all the more special because I have a four-year-old daughter. She was so excited when I told her I was going to be playing the Big Friendly Giant and immediately wanted to read the book. It's an amazing reminder, as someone who has been in the industry a while, of how special and magical it can be when you see it through the eyes of a child.'
Take a Break: Did you read the book as a child?
John: 'I was really fortunate when I was growing up that I had an older sister who would read to me before bed every night and the BFG was one of those stories. It's a real full-circle moment to be able to do the same for my own daughter, whilst bringing this iconic character to the stage for a new generation.'
Take a Break: How has it been working alongside the young cast?
John: 'I have the privilege of working with six amazing young actors who are sharing the roles of Sophie, our heroine, and her friend Kimberley from the orphanage. They range from nine to 13 years of age and wow! they blow my mind daily - their talent, their professionalism, their adaptability, their bravery. They push the entire room to be stronger. They remind us of the joy and the excitement of our profession. And the characters have such bite! Sophie really sticks up for herself and isn't afraid to speak her mind - what an amazing role model for all those young people watching.'
Take a Break: What makes this show stand out as one that people need to see?
John: 'I hope audiences will be inspired by the message of the story - that the smallest voice can make the biggest change, and that the power of friendship and the power of kindness can and does make a difference in the world. But then also, as a spectacle, this show will really take your breath away. We're putting everything into it - magic, illusion, puppetry, performance, comedy, incredible costumes and sets - it's a real celebration of the power of imagination. The puppetry is some of the most spectacular I've seen on stage - truly larger-than-life and something that really has to be seen to be believed.'
'What has also stood out to me about this story is how it celebrates the power of imagination. As an adult, it's so easy to lose touch with that power. I also love that this story celebrates the fact that no matter how small you are (like Sophie) you can create real change - that's a really inspiring message for young people. And there's something about the BFG being a big, friendly giants that's important. The story and the show celebrate kindness and that's something we need more of these days. Finally, what I love about this show and Christmas in general is that it's a space for the whole family to come together: gran and grandad, mum and dads, the kids, the cousins - there's something in it for everyone.'
John speaks about how much his four-year-old daughter has been engrossed in the story since her dad signed up for the BFG, and in our household, the boys have been enjoying a new game and running around in delightful terror, shouting with excitement, 'Daddy, be Bloodbottler chasing us chiddlers.'
Take a Break: You play the brute Bloodbottler, what's the importance of having a bit of fear in a kids' book or theatre show?
Richard: 'It’s important as it’s what propels change. In the case of the BFG it’s what allows Sophie to use her incredible imagination, and the BFG to harness his special talents in confronting their fears. It’s a great example to the reader or the audience member -teaching that facing your fears can sometimes take you to unexpected places.'
Take a Break: Is it fun to be the bad guy?
Richard: 'I love playing the Bloodbottler. And I look forward to terrifying children. I enjoy it, but he’s not there to scare people though. He just likes to eat children. Especially orphans. He’s obsessed with it. He is a bully, but mostly because he fears BFG. He doesn’t understand his ways.'
Take a Break: Bloodbottler bullies the BFG, do you think this show has anything to teach kids about how to deal with bullies?
Richard: 'It teaches that it can reveal a hidden strength in you. That the cause of the bullying is often rooted in that strength. And that regardless of other people you should be yourself. BFG is bullied because he is unique and doesn’t conform. Which is a pretty typical angle. He deals with it (with the help of Sophie) brilliantly.'
Take a Break: What sets this show apart?
Richard: 'This show has everything - magic, special effects, puppetry, a live band with an incredible original score, fantastic performances. It’s great fun and a brilliant excuse to get lost in your imagination (kids and adults) for a couple of hours. But if you get too close to me, Chiddlers, I will be eating you!'
The BFG will play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 25 November 2025 – 7 February 2026, but grab your tickets, as it's selling fast. It will then transfer to Chichester Festival Theatre from Monday 9 March – Saturday 11 April 2026, after which it will visit Singapore’s Esplanade Theatre for a limited run from Wednesday 22 April.