Two-time Tony winner John Lithgow stars as children's author Roald Dahl in Giant, a new play exploring the antisemitism that has marred the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda writer's legacy beginning previews at London's Royal Court Theatre September 20.

Written by Mark Rosenblatt, the play comes on the heels of a broader cultural conversation about Dahl's work and the prejudice that was embedded in many of his most beloved stories. In 2023, hundreds of words in the author's books were either altered or omitted from future printings in order to remove countless negative references to race, skin color, ethnicity, gender, disabilities, and more.

Set in 1983 when a particularly vicious public outburst of antisemitism drew public outcry against Dahl shortly before the publication of his story The Witches, Giant is directed by Nicholas Hytner.

Running through November 16, Lithgow is joined by Elliot Levey as Tom Maschler, Dahl's Jewish publisher.

Said David Byrne, the Artistic Director of the Royal Court, in a previous statement "There are 10 Royal Court debuts this season. It’s my first programme as Artistic Director, and it’s the Royal Court debut for each of the nine exceptional writers. More than just a season, this is a statement of intent for what’s to come: a new generation of bold voices with big, messy stories to tell; world-renowned artists rubbing alongside insurgent new talent, igniting some unmissable theatre on our stages."

For more information, visit RoyalCourtTheatre.com.