The Chichester Festival Theatre have pulled off a giant coup.
The iconic West Sussex venue is to stage Roald Dahl’s hugely popular story the BFG.
Adapted by Tom Wells and in conjunction with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the production will run at the Chichester Festival Theatre from Monday 16 March – Sunday 12 April 2026 and is sure to be a huge hit.
The beloved children’s novel tells the story of a young orphan named Sophie who is snatched by a giant and taken far away to Giant Country.
There she learns that human-eating giants are guzzling ‘norphans’ the world over. But she soon discovers that her new friend, the Big Friendly Giant, is different – he’s a dream-catching, snozzcumber-munching gentle soul who refuses to eat humans.
While other giants terrorise the world, the BFG ignites Sophie’s imagination, and they devise a daring plan to save children everywhere. In the end, the smallest human bean and the gentlest giant prove that a dream can change the world.
Justin Audibert, Artistic Director of CFT, said: “I know that our audiences – from the smallest to the largest ‘human beans’ – will love seeing Roald Dahl’s brilliantly imaginative and beloved creation come to life on stage.”
RSC Co-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey said: “This inspiring story – about an unlikely alliance between an orphan, a giant and a queen – tells us that when we have the courage to make our dreams a reality, we can change the world.
“To be adapting Roald Dahl’s much-loved children’s novel for the stage in collaboration with the Roald Dahl Story Company and Chichester Festival Theatre is a dream come true for us.
“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with an exceptional creative team to dream up an unforgettable theatrical experience which promises to be larger-than-life.”
Roald Dahl Story Company Artistic Director Jenny Worton added: “Following the triumphant success of our first two stage shows, The Witches and The Enormous Crocodile, The BFG opens a magical new chapter for us.
“Our dream is to bring mischievous joy to audiences of all ages through our growing family of live shows and we’ve created something full of imagination and heart, just as you’d expect from the world of Roald Dahl.”
This magical new adaptation will open the Festival 2026 season at Chichester Festival Theatre, running from 16 March – 12 April 2026, following a winter season at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon from 25 November 2025 – 31 January 2026.
Full details and booking will be announced in September 2025: at www.cft.org.uk.
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