A family-friendly adventure is hitting the stage at the Arden’s Children’s Theatre this weekend, and it’s a fan-favorite. ‘The BFG’, one of Roald Dahl’s classic tales, will open officially to the public this weekend on Dec. 9.
The story was written by Dahl in 1982 and then adapted for the stage in 1991 by David Wood. Directed by Whit MacLaughlin for the Arden, ‘The BFG’ will come to life in the 360-person capacity F. Otto Haas Stage until Jan. 21, 2024.
The stage adaption of ‘The BFG’ brings a 24-foot tall Big Friendly Giant (Matteo Scammell) to life as he helps Sophie (Jessica Money) save the children of England from giants, including Bloodbottler, Bonecruncher, and Gizzardgulper, the release states. It’s also a story of an unlikely friendship between Sophie and the BFG, both alone in the world, who form a surprising connection and friendship during the enduring story. The unlikely pair are helped by the Queen of England and the Heads of the Army and Airforce with their helicopters.
“This production and the dedication the Arden has to children’s theatre is truly an inspiration,” said MacLaughlin in a statement. “The incredible work of the design teams, artists, and production staff show when these wonderful giants jump off the pages of The BFG and come to life, in a very real way, on the stage.”
The show’s characters, aka giant puppets, spent months in both design and production to get them ready for the stage, and eight cast members play 30 characters throughout the show.
“The giants are so unique, ” said Sebastienn Mundheim, the Puppet Designer for the show in a statement. “I moved away from creating human-ness in the giants. It felt complicated to make child-eaters look like anybody in the real world. I made bouncy hair out of paper. The eyes are my secret recipe. Many are made from a searching child-chewing hunger, some glittery surfaces, and some hairy ones, and antique buttons, over 60 years old, from my grandmother’s sewing kit.”
As the release also notes, the Arden creates an interactive opportunity for audience members during their family-friendly theatre productions as well. After each performance, patrons are invited to participate in a ten-minute question-and-answer session with cast members, and children are encouraged to ask the cast questions about the show, with the conversation meant to encourage the imagination of younger theatre patrons.
Single tickets begin at $30, with discounts available for military with valid ID, students, groups of 10, seniors, children and teens. Discounts for purchasing a Children’s Theatre Subscription are also available.
More information and tickets are available online at ardentheatre.org, by phone at 215-922-1122, or in-person at the box office at the Arden at 40 N. 2nd Street.
