Further casting announced for RSC’s THE BFG
Photo credit: Simon Hadley
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Chichester Festival Theatre and the Roald Dahl Story Company, have today announced further casting for The BFG, which opens at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon for a 10-week run from 25 November 2025 – 31 January 2026.
Making her Royal Shakespeare Company debut in the role of The Queen is Helena Lymbery (Grace Pervades, Theatre Royal Bath; Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, West End). 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 was confirmed to play the BFG earlier this month.
Commenting on the latest casting news, Director and Co-Artistic Director of the RSC. Daniel Evans said: “In Tom Wells’ magical new stage adaptation of The BFG, there is no greater power than the power of friendship. Whether you’re a little orphan like Sophie, a dream-catching, snozzcumber-munching giant like The BFG or the Queen of England, friendship can unlock something extraordinary in each of us, giving us the strength, imagination and courage to trust in our own power and change the world for the better.
“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.”
Based on Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s novel, this magical new stage adaptation by Tom Wells will also run at Chichester Festival Theatre from 9 March – 11 April 2026, with tickets now on sale.
Joining Daniel and Tom on the creative team is puppetry designer and director Toby Olié, set designer Vicki Mortimer, costume designer Kinnetia Isidore, lighting designer Zoe Spurr, video designer Akhila Krishnan, illusions designer Chris Fisher, composer Oleta Haffner, sound designer Carolyn Downing, choreographer and movement director Ira Mandela Siobhan, puppetry co-designer Daisy Beattie, casting director Christopher Worrall CDG, and children’s casting director Verity Naughton CDG.