Roald Dahl Stories on Stage
You can see a number of your favourite Roald Dahl stories reimagined for the stage.
Our new Theatre Division was set up to create original pieces of theatre which capture the timeless appeal of Roald Dahls’ stories and characters, whilst also speaking powerfully to today’s audiences. We do this by working with brilliant playwrights, directors and songwriters who share Roald Dahl’s spirit of mischief, honesty and humour. The result is a series of new shows which deliver everything you love about Dahl’s stories AND the very best in new theatre talent.
We’re starting with theatre but we’re not stopping there. Keep your ears pricked and your eyes peeled for our Roald Dahl inspired Circus … it’s going to be spectacular!
The Witches
A co-production with the National Theatre
From 7 November 2023 to 6 January 2024
Everything you know about witches is wrong. Forget the pointy hats and broomsticks: they’re the most dangerous creatures on earth. And now they’ve come up with their most evil plan yet. The only thing standing in their way is Luke and his Gran. But he’s ten and she’s got a dodgy heart. Time is short, danger is everywhere, and they’ve got just one chance to stop the witches from squalloping every stinking little child in England.
The Witches is a rip-roaring musical version of Roald Dahl’s timeless tale, filled with wit, daring and heart. With book and lyrics by Olivier Award-winner Lucy Kirkwood, music and lyrics by Tony Award-nominee Dave Malloy, and directed by Lyndsey Turner.
Find out moreThe Enormous Crocodile
A co-production with Leeds Playhouse and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
From 2 December 2023 to 6 January 2024, and Summer 2024
For my lunch today I would like… a nice juicy little child!
The Enormous Crocodile is weaving his way through the jungle in search of delicious little fingers and squidgy podgy knees. Only the other jungle creatures can foil his secret plans and clever tricks, but they’re going to have to find a large amount of courage to stop this greedy brute.
This new musical version of Roald Dahl’s picture book has tasty tunes by Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab and a rib-tickling book and lyrics by Suhayla El-Bushra, with additional music and lyrics by Tom Brady. Developed and directed by Emily Lim and featuring a menagerie of mischievous puppets by Co-Director Toby Olié, and set and costume design by Fly Davis.
The Magic Finger
A co-production with the Unicorn Theatre
From Spring 2024
The Gregg family spend every Saturday morning out in the woods searching for animals and birds to hunt. But the girl next door cannot stand hunting, and she’s so angry about it she’s going to set the magic finger on them all. One thing is for certain, very strange and spectacular things are about to begin...
Created in co-production with the Unicorn Theatre, the UK's leading theatre for young audiences, this imaginative reading of Roald Dahl’s mischievous story will be directed by Milli Bhatia and designed by Shankho Chaudhuri.
The Magic Finger will be released online for free to schools and families across the UK.
Stage Shows From Our Partners
Can’t wait for these new shows to get your Roald Dahl fix? You can get tickets for Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda the Musical, which continues to dazzle audiences in London’s West End, a decade after it first arrived.
Meanwhile, the Leeds Playhouse production of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical (produced by Playful Productions, Neal Street Productions, Hunter Arnold & Gavin Kalin Productions) is touring the UK throughout this year. So there’s no need to wait!