The production of Roald Dahl’s story will first run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 25 November 2025 to 31 January 2026, before heading to the Chichester Festival Theatre from 9 March – Saturday 11 April 2026.
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Chichester Festival Theatre and the Roald Dahl Story Company has confirmed further casting for the upcoming production of The BFG.
Making her Royal Shakespeare Company debut in the role of The Queen is Helena Lymbery. She will be joined by Elsie Laslett, Ellemie Shivers and Martha Bailey Vine in the role of Sophie. Completing the announcement, Sophie’s best friend from the orphanage, Kimberley, will be played by Maisy Lee, Charlotte Jones and Uma Patel.
They join the previously announced John Leader who will be taking on the role of the BFG in the production.
Commenting on the latest casting news, Director and Co-Artistic Director of the RSC. Daniel Evans said: “Helena Lymbery’s wit, warmth and infectious sense of humour make her the perfect choice for our Queen, who finds her closeted life of privilege turned upside down with the arrival of Sophie and The BFG.
Joining Helena are six, incredibly talented young actors who, together, will originate the roles of Sophie and her friend Kimberley.
After just two days of initial workshops, Elsie, Ellemie and Martha (our trio of Sophies), along with Charlotte, Maisy and Uma (our Kimberleys) are already proving to be powerful in the room! To welcome such a diverse range of age and experience to bring The BFG to life is an absolute thrill for me as a Director and I can’t wait for rehearsals to get underway later this month.”
Roald Dahl’s story is being adapted for the stage by Tom Wells (The Kitchen Sink, Jumpers for Goalposts), with the creative team also including: Puppetry Designer and Director, Toby Olié; Set Designer, Vicki Mortimer; Costume Designer, Kinnetia Isidore; Lighting Designer, Zoe Spurr; Video Designer, Akhila Krishnan; Illusions, Chris Fisher; Composer, Oleta Haffner; Sound Designer, Carolyn Downing; Choreographer and Movement Director, Ira Mandela Siobhan; Puppetry Co-Designer, Daisy Beattie; and Senior Set Design Associate, Matt Hellyer. The Casting Director is Christopher Worrall CDG; and the Children’s Casting Director is Verity Naughton CDG.
To book tickets for the RSC run of the production click here. For the Chichester Festival Theatre run click here.