bbc.com
RSC to Stage Adaptation of Roald Dahl's "The BFG
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Chichester Festival Theatre, and the Roald Dahl Story Company will stage a new adaptation of Roald Dahl's "The BFG" at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from December 2025 for a 10-week run; it will be directed by Daniel Evans and adapted by playwright Tom Wells.
- How does the adaptation of "The BFG", including the revised text, reflect broader trends in children's literature and adaptations?
- This production connects to broader trends of adapting classic children's literature for the stage and revisiting works to align with contemporary sensibilities. The choice of "The BFG", a popular and globally successful novel (over 21 million copies sold), reflects the RSC's commitment to engaging a wide audience. The updated text reflects current cultural awareness, suggesting a wider ongoing trend in children's literature adaptations.
- What are the immediate implications of the RSC's decision to adapt "The BFG" for the stage, and what is its significance for the theatre community?
- The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) will stage a new adaptation of Roald Dahl's "The BFG" at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon for 10 weeks during the 2025 festive season. This is the RSC's first Dahl stage adaptation since "Matilda the Musical" in 2010, directed by RSC co-artistic director Daniel Evans. The production will feature changes made to the original book in 2023 to modernize language and remove potentially offensive content.
- What potential impact will the adaptation's use of the 2023 revised text and interpretation of the Queen character have on audience reception and critical perspectives?
- The adaptation of "The BFG" presents an opportunity for the RSC to attract a diverse audience and further establish its role in shaping how classic children's literature is presented to modern audiences. The inclusion of the Queen as a significant character offers a unique opportunity to engage audiences with a current cultural perspective. The integration of the 2023 text revisions, while potentially impacting the original author's vision, allows for a fresh and relevant interpretation that resonates with modern values.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is largely positive, emphasizing the excitement and anticipation surrounding the production. The focus on the director's enthusiastic comments and the commercial success of the source material contributes to this positive framing. The changes to the book are downplayed as 'almost irrelevant'.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective, focusing on factual information about the production. The director's quote about the 'poignant' aspect of the Queen's character could be seen as subtly biased, but it's framed within his personal interpretation, not presented as objective fact. There is no loaded language.
Bias by Omission
The provided text focuses heavily on the RSC's production and its director's comments, neglecting potential discussions on the original book's themes, critical reception, or the impact of the 2023 changes on the overall narrative. There is no mention of controversies surrounding the Dahl book changes or differing opinions on their necessity. The omission of these perspectives could leave the audience with an incomplete understanding of the complexities surrounding the adaptation.
Sustainable Development Goals
The RSC's stage adaptation of Roald Dahl's "The BFG" promotes literacy, creativity, and imaginative storytelling, contributing positively to quality education for children and young adults. The production's potential to inspire a love of reading and theatre aligns with the SDG's focus on access to inclusive and equitable quality education.