Aya Cash is set to make her West End debut in the Olivier-nominated production of “Giant,” joining a heavyweight cast led by John Lithgow as Roald Dahl.
“Giant,” which premiered at the Royal Court in September 2024, explores a pivotal moment in Dahl’s life during the summer of 1983, when the publication of “The Witches” coincided with backlash over his explicitly antisemitic article. Set across a single afternoon at Dahl’s family home, the play centers on an explosive confrontation that forces the author to choose between making a public apology or risking his reputation.
Cash, known for her roles in Amazon’s “The Boys” and HBO’s “The Franchise,” will play U.S. publisher Jessie Stone in Mark Rosenblatt’s debut play. Tessa Bonham Jones (“Dune: Prophecy”) will reprise her role as Hallie, completing the West End cast that includes Lithgow (recently announced as Dumbledore in HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” series), Olivier-winner Elliot Levey, Olivier nominee Rachael Stirling, and Richard Hope.
The production, which earned five Olivier nominations including best new play, makes its West End transfer to the Harold Pinter Theatre and commences from April 26.
Nicholas Hytner directs the production, which features design by Bob Crowley, lighting by Anna Watson, and sound by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite. The West End transfer is produced by Brian and Dayna Lee, Stephanie Kramer and Nicole Kramer, Josh Fiedler and Robyn Goodman, and Royal Court Theatre, with co-producers including Tilted Productions, FKP Productions, and Delman Gracey.
Cash, who will next star in and executive produce “The Boys” prequel series “Vought Rising” for Prime Video in 2025, has extensive off-Broadway experience but makes her West End debut with this production. Bonham Jones returns to “Giant” after appearing in the Royal Court production, with other credits including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Bridge Theatre and the series “Dune: Prophecy.”
