A group of people in casual clothes hold aloft a giant puppet on poles; only the puppet's arms, hands and the lower half of its torso can be seen.

Rave reviews for The BFG

News 20 Mar 2026

News Story

5 Stars

This magical stage adaptation is packed full of technical brilliance and remarkably skilful puppetry.

Theatre South East

5 Stars

Full of action, comedy and adventure. It’s magical beyond belief and grants every wish possible.

London Theatre 1

The BFG has kicked off Festival 2026 with a burst of pure theatrical magic and it's receiving even more rave reviews from the press.

5 Stars

Beyond the curtain

5 Stars

Fairy Powered Productions

Absolutely magical – and does everything that the theatre should do, sending us home smiling after the most wonderful leap of the imagination.

Chichester Observer

A stunning show for chiddlers of all ages. The audience spontaneously applauded the culmination of every magical scene.

Portsmouth News

5 Stars

Musical Theatre Vibes

5 Stars

Flora.Theatre

This delightfully mischievous and darkly comic new adaptation has now arrived on the Festival stage, fresh from its run at the RSC. Here's just some of the comments from our audiences: 

  • I have never seen anything quite like it in my whole life - It was absolutely incredible!
  • Saw it tonight with our grandson…magical ✨
  • What an incredible show....not just one for the children....it brought tears to my eyes by how magical it was 🥰
  • Whizzpopping fun! Kids loved it. Very funny and clever magic! 😁
  • Went to see this tonight it was really good, funny and a must see!
  • We were three generations, 14 to 75 and we all absolutely loved it.
  • Incredible - What an impressive production! 😍
  • Wonderful show tonight. So funny, so beautiful, so magical. Well done everyone! 🍾🏆🤩 

Roald Dahl's The BFG runs until Sat 11 Apr. Book your tickets now.

The BFG is brilliant. Among the greatest shows/plays I have ever seen at CFT. It is not only a brilliant script but the puppetry, acting, direction etc etc. were all 5 stars. You should have seen all the ‘oldies’ in the front row kicking our legs in the air having a good fart with tears of mirth and being moved streaming down our faces!!!

Audience member

The BFG production gallery

  • A man with short curly dark hair and big ears wearing a white shirt, orange/brown trousers and waistcoat, holding a small puppet of a girl
  • A small girl with blonde hair wearing stripped pyjamas is sat down on the ground looking at a giant man puppet that is wearing a long purple cloak being operated by two women in dark clothes and hats
  • A woman wearing long purple pyjamas with grey shirt hair and a crown on her head stood in front of a large puppet and a group of people dressed in white clothes
  • A big puppet with spiky hair on the ground holding up his big arm towards a man with short curly hair wearing a white shirt, waistcoat and orange/brown trousers looking quite shocked holding up a long pipe. In the background a small puppet is standing on a large rock
  • A man with dark curly hair and big ears wearing a white shirt, brown waistcoat and orange trousers holding up a green piece of fabric in front of a small girl puppet wearing striped pyjamas. The puppet is being operated by two women wearing dark clothes and a hat
  • A woman with grey hair in purple pyjamas lying in a bed with a red duvet and gold-plated headrest holding a cup of tea. Next to her are five people in servant uniform
  • A man with curly black hair wearing orange/brown trousers and a white shirt and brown long waistcoat being held up in the air by a giant green and pink puppet. Four people in dark clothes and hats are stood below operating the puppet
  • A giant puppet with short dark curly hair wearing a white shirt with a brown waistcoat on holding a big pipe to his lips. In front of the puppet there is a girl with stripped pyjamas on with a shocked expression on her face
  • A man with curly black hair wearing a long cloak and a backpack pointing his finger up to a giant green and pink puppet which is being operated by people wearing dark clothes
  • Two men sat next to each other wearing military uniform, both with dark short hair and moustaches and with shocked expressions on their faces. One of the men has a considerably larger moustache and is holding a map and large torch
  • A man with dark brown curly hair and big ears wearing a white shirt and orange/brown trousers with a white shirt and brown waistcoat holding a small puppet on his arm in a running pose

Step behind the scenes of this 'wondercrump of a show' (Metro) in the newly released backstage photos.

Roald Dahl's The BFG runs until Sat 11 Apr. Secure your tickets now.

Behind the scenes

5 Stars

Big, feisty and glorious

Mail on Sunday

5 Stars

A truly stunning show up there with the greats

Stratford Herald

4 Stars

Gloriumptious

WhatsOnStage

4 Stars

Magical

The Stage

We’ve taken a journey deep into Giant Country to discover how this beloved epic has been reimagined for the stage. Watch the first part below and visit our YouTube playlist for the rest of the series.

The rehearsal room is so exciting

John Leader, The BFG

Discover the full series.

Playing in the Festival Theatre from Mon 9 Mar – Sat 11 Apr.

Book your tickets now!

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