A Dukes Lancaster production
The BFG
Friday, 25 November 2011 - Saturday, 7 January 2012
review by Alan Chard
Production photographs : Press Release : Review
The BFG
Friday, 25 November 2011 - Saturday, 7 January 2012
This year the Christmas production at The Dukes, Lancaster is a faithful adaptation of Roald Dahl's BFG, The Big Friendly Giant. For many parents this is no doubt a well-loved story, that is certainly the case in the author's house, so it was a pleasure to watch such a faithful interpretation. Children who are familiar with the story will recognise exactly what is taking place, and should be able to follow the action and know what is coming next.
The design of the stage set is skillfully done, using elements of different sizes, without giving away too much about the story it can be said that the 'unfriendly' giants plunder houses for victims and treat their prey in a very realistic manner.
Robert Pickavance who plays the BFG is tall and suits the part, as do the other giants. Rachel Drazek, who plays Sophie is petite and with the aid of a puppet version of Sophie makes a marked contrast in size to the BFG. The other giants are larger than life, scary indeed, and with the aid of the set design appear monstrous, which is how they act.
The children in the audience were enthralled throughout the performance, lots of laughter in the right places and quiet when it would be expected, personally I think these are hallmarks of a good production. There are no smutty panto-type jokes, this was great family entertainment from beginning to end. In what might euphemistically be called the 'whizpopping scenes' the younger members of the audience went wild, although a surprising number of adults seemed to display a rather British stiff upper-lip. Later on I heard laughter from the adults like I have not heard for years in a theatre, and at such jokes that most stand-up comics would disdain - but as I said previously, this was family entertainment which parents and children really appreciated.
The BFG was massive in a puppetry scene, and the capture of the other giants was presented via stop-motion animation that really was show-stopping. One young member of the audience said that was the best part. Personally I thought the puppet-portrayal of the queen was wonderful, she stood and held her hands in exactly the right manner whilst having a real head.
To sum up, this was Christmas family entertainment just how it should be, a familiar story produced in a way that entertained and amused both adults and children.
Don't miss it.
Alan Chard, November 2011