The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has a reputation to uphold, but their latest production, The BFG, falls short of the high bar set by their previous hit, Matilda: The Musical. This adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved book about an unconventional ogre and his friendship with an orphan was anticipated to be a financial savior for the RSC, which has been facing budget cuts and job losses.
But here's where the show stumbles: The BFG struggles to find its style, juggling between spoken drama and puppet ballet. The spoken parts, adapted by Tom Wells and dramaturg Jenny Worton, echo Sue Townsend's 'The Queen and I,' with a fictional Queen Elizabeth II saving the day. However, the audience might find themselves expecting a musical number, a la Matilda, only to be met with silence. This unfulfilled expectation could leave some viewers feeling slightly disappointed.
Visually, the production plays with perspective, alternating between a towering mechanical BFG and a human actor, John Leader, who stands tall over a puppet Sophie. Yet, the reasoning behind these perspective shifts seems arbitrary, lacking a clear narrative purpose.
A controversial twist: In 2023, Dahl's works sparked debate when Puffin Books released expurgated editions, removing language deemed offensive. This led to a dual publication of both the original and revised texts, presenting the RSC with a unique challenge. The sanitized version, which omits a section about how giants perceive the taste of humans from different nationalities, may leave viewers familiar with Dahl's signature dark humor feeling like something is missing.
Despite the impressive performances, the show's use of puppets and actors for the BFG and the giant Bloodbottler can make character coherence challenging. Other productions, like Paddington: The Musical, have managed to blend these elements more seamlessly.
The BFG's financial hopes: As a co-production with Chichester Festival and Singapore Repertory theatres, The BFG reflects the complexities of modern theatrical funding. While it provides enjoyable moments, it may not be the blockbuster hit the RSC needs to bolster its finances.
The Verdict: The BFG is a well-intentioned but stylistically confused production. It leaves one wondering if a more unified vision could have elevated it to the level of Matilda. What do you think? Is The BFG a missed opportunity, or does it offer a unique theatrical experience?
