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GORDON PARSONS relishes an adaptation of Dahl’s children’s tale, but issues a warning for the over 11-year-olds
SUPERMARIONETTE: The company of The BFG. [Pic: Marc Brenner]
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The BFG
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Stratford-upon-Avon
★★★★☆
The RSC should have published a warning for those over 11 years old who should beware of having nightmares. Roald Dahl’s child-eating giants are here much too real for grown-ups.
Those parents brought along by their children to see the company’s Christmas show will recognise the achievement of Master Puppeteer Toby Olie who honed his remarkable technical artistry on the staging of Warhorse.
The story of eight-year-old Sophie snatched out of her bed by a giant who, unlike his mates, spends his nights not eating orphans but blowing into their heads comforting dreams, must be known to so many kids, who will delight to see Quentin Blake’s illustrations from the book brought to life, and of course Roald Dahl’s Giant language. After all how would you like to live off a diet of snozzcumbers or drink frobscottle?
Tom Wells has faithfully adapted the book for stage, only extending the second half to incorporate much more humour. Where Dahl has the Queen of England (a recognisable monarch acting very unrecognisably) readily accepting Sophie’s Plan to trick BFG’s fellow giants, the military, in the persons of two blimpish captains, step in to protect Her Majesty and arrest BFG whom they speedily identify as code for an international assassin, Black Forest Gateau.
She quickly reasserts her authority and sets off, flying a helicopter, to Giant Country… and if you do not know the rest, you’ll have to see the play or read the book.
There are some marvellous moments of high comedy including the Queenie’s nightmare when she is chased round the bed by the leader of the giant gang, Bloodbottler, and the finale’s frobscottle-induced whizzpopping farting symphony in which she conducts the audience.
The actors, especially Ellemie Shivers’s Sophie, much tougher than her BFG, John Leader, having to cope with his doppleganger giant self, compete splendidly with their outsize companions. Helena Lymbery’s Queen could step into Buckingham Palace any day.
Above all, mention must go to the puppet handlers who act throughout virtually invisibly.
Sweet dreams!
Runs until February 7. Box Office 0789 333-111: rsc.org.uk
