3:19pm Wednesday 24th June 2009
By Natalie Driver
The BFG, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, until Saturday June 27
Anyone with fond childhood memories of Roald Dahl’s fantastical literary world of giant peaches, chocolate factories and scary witches will love this magical production of The BFG.
And young readers and those new to this story are sure to find the adventures of the Big Friendly Giant and his little pal Sophie, based on Dahl’s own granddaughter, as charming as those of us revisiting them.
This adaptation by David Wood, the UK’s National Children’s Dramatist, begins on Sophie’s birthday and her only wish is for her family and friends to act out the story of her favourite book The BFG. This ‘play within a play’ concept works well as the players use puppetry and basic costumes to bring the story to life.
Sophie fears the worst when she is snatched out of her bed by the BFG – especially as his grisly neighbours the Bloodbottler and the Fleshlumpeater like nothing more than swallowing human beans, especially little chiddlers.
But the BFG is a dream-maker not a man-eater and he’s about to take Sophie on a journey she never expected where she samples her first snozzcumber and captures the bad giants with the help of Her Majesty the Queen.
The prop, scenery and costume makers have done a sterling job of bringing Quentin Blake’s famous illustrations vividly to life. The giants’ huge heads are suitably grotesque and fearsome and the “life-sized” BFG perched aloft the Queen’s grand piano in the second half is cleverly done.
The giant’s delightful misuse of language and fondness for whizz-popping after drinking lashings of frobscottle will undoubtedly keep the kids amused.
And the use of musical instruments, particularly during the children’s dreams and the BFG’s dream-catching, works well in capturing the magic of the story.
Anthony Pedley is charming as the BFG and Becky John as Sophie really succeeds in showing us the story through a child’s eyes. The supporting cast – in particular Heather Phoenix as the Queen – are also strong.
Although this is undoubtedly ideal for kids, grown-up human beans who are still chiddles at heart won’t be disappointed either.
Performances take place daily until Saturday June 27. Tickets are priced £10-£22. For performance times or to book tickets call the Box Office on 0121 236 4455 or visit birmingham-rep.co.uk.
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