The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) is one of Roald Dahl’s most well-loved stories which has been adapted into a play and even a Disney movie. The book has sold over 37 million copies around the world with an additional million sold every year. The play was originally adapted for the stage by David Wood and premiered at London’s Wimbledon Theatre in 1991.

Running at 90 minutes, with a 15 minute intermission, it is perfect for small children. I brought my 4 and 6 year old children and they loved it! When asked what their favourite parts were, they both decidedly reported the “whizzpopping was the best part” but changed their minds to say that when the BFG grew, that was their favourite. Actor Matteo Scammell used stilts and puppetry to transform into the BFG and all of the children in the audience were pumped to see a “real live Giant”.

The BFG follows the story of Sophie who is kidnapped by The BFG after seeing him while she was supposed to be sleeping. He is scared that she will report him and he will be placed on display at the zoo so he brings her back to his cave to decide how to proceed. The other, not so friendly giants come and beat him up and Sophie is able to see how good the BFG truly is. They develop a friendship and go on to save Europe from the giants, and live happily ever after in houses next door to each other.

One of the coolest parts of the Arden’s production of The BFG are the puppets, created by Sebastienne Mundheim of White Box Theatre. The giants all wear papier mache, prosthetic heads to achieve their enormous stature but Sophie (played by the incredible Jessica Money) uses a small scaled Sophie doll-like puppet to appear smaller than the rest of the crew. It is a truly innovative way to create depth and vibrancy. Another really great part of the production is that most of the cast and crew is made up of varying minorities, which is not always seen in the theatre world. A big hand of applause must also go to the rest of the amazing cast: Bi Jean Ngo, Newton Buchanan, Kishia Nixon, Adaeze Nwoko, Jo Vito Ramirez and Leah Walton.

The BFG is the perfect gift for yourself or your children to introduce them to theatre and to get them excited for live performances that welcome and encourage small children. At the end of the performance, the cast and crew take questions from the audience and explain the intricacies of everything that is witnessed by the audience. The Arden even has a Drama School and Summer Camp where kids can learn about the theatre arts and try their hands at everything from acting to set design, and even directing. In addition to providing top notch entertainment to Philadelphia, they support the youth throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Adorable and heartwarming.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Jamie Flowers

The BFG plays at the Arden Theatre, Philadelphia until 21 January, with further information here.