Premiere of "Giant" in the New Hall of Dailes Theatre

Two premieres are coming up at Dailes Theatre this week. The first to take place in the New Hall on 29th January is "Giant", directed by Gatis Šmits.

At the centre of the play by Mark Rosenblatt is the celebrated children’s author Roald Dahl. The leading role in this production is played by Ģirts Krūmiņš, who shares the stage with an outstanding ensemble of actors: Juris Bartkevičs or Jakovs Rafalsons, Gints Grāvelis, Kristīne Nevarauska, Jana Herbsta and Madara Viļčuka.

Ranked among the most distinguished British authors of the 20th century, Roald Dahl is widely regarded to be one of the finest storytellers for children. His writing includes "Matilda", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", "James and the Giant Peach", "George’s Marvellous Medicine", "The BFG" ("The Big Friendly Giant") and many other pieces.

In "Giant", Mark Rosenblatt employs dark humour to explore the boundary between a personal opinion, emotionally expressed by a well-known and highly respected public figure, and socially unacceptable rhetoric that suddenly turns sharply against its author.

At the beginning of the play, everything in the famous writer’s life appears to be in perfect order – except for one thing. In a recent review of a book depicting Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon, he compared the State of Israel to Hitler’s Third Reich and referred to Jews as "murderous nuns". This, of course, provokes considerable controversy. Overtly antisemitic remarks trigger an avalanche of condemnation in the press, he even receives threats, his new book may be refused publication, and suddenly everything falls apart. The writer is forced to choose: to issue a public apology or to risk his future.

Director Gatis Šmits says: "The personality and biography of Roald Dahl provide exceptionally rich material for dramaturgy. Dahl is fascinating for his vividness, originality and astonishingly playful, razor-sharp mind. Like Ernest Hemingway and John Huston, he belongs to the so-called "high foreheads" of the 20th century – intelligent, gifted, daring men whose colourful biographies feel more like adventure novels. It is important to say at once that "Giant" is not a documentary piece or a biography. The real Roald Dahl most certainly differs from the Dahl created in the dramaturgy by Mark Rosenblatt, and the situation depicted in "Giant" did not occur in reality. I believe that people like Dahl can exist only with the support of those around them. Such personalities are a social phenomenon rather than self-contained entities. Therefore, "Giant" is not so much a story about the personality of an artist as it is about the tolerance of those around him: how much can they afford to forgive one great big awkward giant."

"Giant" premiered to great acclaim in 2024 at the Royal Court Theatre in London, immediately winning the hearts of critics and audiences alike. The play is currently being staged in numerous other theatres.

The Dailes Theatre production of "Giant" is directed by Gatis Šmits. The set and costume designer is Rudolf Bekič, and the composer is Jēkabs Nīmanis.