Overview

'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 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 a 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 Giant offers a nuanced portrait of a fiendishly charismatic icon – and explores with dark humour the difference between considered opinion and dangerous rhetoric. Giant was first performed at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in 2024, directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring John Lithgow as Dahl, alongside Elliot Levey, Rachael Stirling, Tessa Bonham Jones, Romola Garai and Richard Hope. 'Shocking, challenging, spectacularly good... Head-on, unflinchingly, Giant confronts the vile antisemitism of one of the most beloved children's authors of all time, while sweeping along in its ferocious cross-currents of dialogue all the pitched battles of society today... what is so good about Rosenblatt's play is that it's so tightly focused, and so colossally universal' — Evening Standard 'Astonishingly good' — Financial Times 'Subtle, intelligent and stylishly crafted... lots of well-timed jokes, but again and again, the poison seeps through... the timing of this thoroughly absorbing play could hardly have been more apt' — The Times 'Brilliant... as dark and sharp-toothed as one of Dahl's fictive monsters... sophisticated writing that speaks directly to our times... shows a necessary bravery. This is exactly what theatre is for' — Guardian 'Incendiary... a play that says things that many people may be thinking, but are too afraid to air in public. It's not simply about Dahl, it's about all of us' — Daily Mail 'Startling... one heck of a debut play – well-made and sturdy, exquisitely tense, and scrupulously fair' — Time Out 'There can't be a more timely play on the London stage right now. Or better written' — Mail on Sunday

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9781839043451

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Reviews

'Shocking, challenging, spectacularly good... Head-on, unflinchingly, Giant confronts the vile antisemitism of one of the most beloved children's authors of all time, while sweeping along in its ferocious cross-currents of dialogue all the pitched battles of society today... what is so good about Rosenblatt's play is that it's so tightly focused, and so colossally universal' * Evening Standard * 'Subtle, intelligent and stylishly crafted... lots of well-timed jokes, but again and again, the poison seeps through... the timing of this thoroughly absorbing play could hardly have been more apt' * The Times * 'Brilliant... as dark and sharp-toothed as one of Dahl's fictive monsters... sophisticated writing that speaks directly to our times... shows a necessary bravery. This is exactly what theatre is for' * Guardian * 'Incendiary... a play that says things that many people may be thinking, but are too afraid to air in public. It's not simply about Dahl, it's about all of us' * Daily Mail * 'Fiery and incisive... Rosenblatt is admirably unafraid to plunge into fierce arguments... he tackles this thorny subject with the right mix of journalistic balance, insight and rightful condemnation' * The Stage *

'Shocking, challenging, spectacularly good... Head-on, unflinchingly, Giant confronts the vile antisemitism of one of the most beloved children's authors of all time, while sweeping along in its ferocious cross-currents of dialogue all the pitched battles of society today... what is so good about Rosenblatt's play is that it's so tightly focused, and so colossally universal' * Evening Standard * 'Subtle, intelligent and stylishly crafted... lots of well-timed jokes, but again and again, the poison seeps through... the timing of this thoroughly absorbing play could hardly have been more apt' * The Times * 'Brilliant... as dark and sharp-toothed as one of Dahl's fictive monsters... sophisticated writing that speaks directly to our times... shows a necessary bravery. This is exactly what theatre is for' * Guardian * 'Incendiary... a play that says things that many people may be thinking, but are too afraid to air in public. It's not simply about Dahl, it's about all of us' * Daily Mail * 'Startling... one heck of a debut play – well-made and sturdy, exquisitely tense, and scrupulously fair' * Time Out * 'Fiery and incisive... Rosenblatt is admirably unafraid to plunge into fierce arguments... he tackles this thorny subject with the right mix of journalistic balance, insight and rightful condemnation' * The Stage * 'Riveting... devastating... does what good theatre can do better than any other setting, holding and exploring complex, contradictory views without oversimplification' * WhatsOnStage * 'Theatrical magic... blisteringly good... the real star here is Mark Rosenblatt's writing. So complex and rich in tone, it beautifully taps into a difficult subject and instils it with comedy in a way that never minimises the pain... exceptional... just a phenomenal piece of theatre' * All That Dazzles * 'Blistering... a blast of a debut play' * iNews *

Author Information

Mark Rosenblatt is a writer and director for stage and screen. He has worked as a freelance theatre director across the UK and internationally, directing productions at Shakespeare's Globe, the National Theatre, Sheffield Theatres, Northampton Theatres, Leeds Playhouse, the Edinburgh Festival, for HighTide Festival Theatre, at the Young Vic, in the West End, off-Broadway and Tokyo, to name a few. He was full-time Associate Director at Leeds Playhouse from 2013-16 and an Associate Artist there till 2020, directing nine mainhouse productions. Before that, he was the Associate at the National Theatre Studio from 2011 to 2013 where he ran the Directors Department and developed new work.  As a playwright, his work includes Giant (Royal Court Theatre, London, 2024). Author photo: Luke Bryant

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