Sunbury’s Boilerhouse Theatre Company is hosting its final performance of Roald Dahl’s ‘The BFG’ this Saturday, involving a giant effort from local youth.
Adapted into a children’s play by David Wood, the story follows the BFG (Big Friendly Giant) who collects and gives dreams to children, including an orphan named Sophie, who soon befriends him.
With actors’ ages ranging from eight to 16, production manager Becca McAliece said that the play has helped them to develop as performers and people.
“Being able to be themselves during rehearsals [and] also transform into these wonderful little actors – they’ve all grown up and gained so much confidence, and you can just see how much they’ve changed over the last couple of months,” Ms McAliece said.
“It’s such a heart-warming experience.”
Ms McAliece said that the actors have enjoyed performing an adaptation of the well-known Roald Dahl story.
“Roald Dahl is such an incredible writer … there are a lot of strange and wonderful words … a very Dr Seuss-esque kind of thing where the BFG doesn’t speak real English.”
Auditions were held over two weekends, with the actors involved then rehearsing the play for several months.
The lead roles of Sophie and the BFG were double-cast, meaning that the actors of these roles alternate each night.
The opening performance was held on September 6, with the final show set to be performed this Saturday, September 21 in Building 22 at Jackson’s Hill, Sunbury.
Oscar Parry
