News Article

Preview: James and the Giant Peach

05 Jul 25


Simon Gleisner previews his production of David Wood’s musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book

What attracted you to directing James and the Giant Peach?

I like a challenge! And I love Roald Dahl’s work. James is such a great story – full of fun and magic and the most brilliant characters. Although I probably must have forgotten that it needs a rhinoceros, an octopus, shark attacks and, of course, a giant peach!

 

Three male and three female actors promenade forward in a dance, singing as they go

What do you think it is about Roald Dahl's work that makes it so appealing?

I think it’s that he makes real kids the heroes of his stories. That appeals to kids and the kids inside all of us. Then he creates wonderful, larger than life characters for his heroes to help or to overcome on their adventures. James is a prime example – with his insect friends and horrible aunts – we’re all cheering him on!

 

Two male actors sit closely together, chatting happily

 

 

What do you think the music brings to this show?

Although it’s not a big West End-style musical, there are a handful of songs that bring music to Dahl’s rhymes. Music really helps drive the show on and helps tell the story.

 

A young male actor sits on the floor, smiling

 

 

What have been the fun parts and the challenges involved in directing it?

It has been a huge amount of fun. I have a very talented cast and crew who have thrown themselves into the characters (and a bit of singing and dancing!). Working with them has been a blast. There have been a couple of challenges. Some of Dahl’s ideas are a bit dated now and not how we would expect people to behave. So I’ve tried to make sure any bad behaviour isn’t rewarded! And a big challenge for the actors has been to imagine all the technical elements that only come to life when you get into the final stages.

 

Two young male actors stand talking, one wearing dark glasses

 

 

Tell us about the characters we'll meet

James is our hero, who grows from a downtrodden little boy into a hero who leads his band of giant insects on an adventure to a new life across the ocean. His new friends are the resourceful Miss Spider, proud Old Green Grasshopper, caring Miss Ladybird, boastful Centipede and downbeat Earthworm. Along the way we meet lots of characters, including his horrible Aunts Sponge and Spiker and even the crew of the HMS Queen Mary.

 

A male and a female actor stand closely together, looking happily on

 

 

Describe the show in 3 words

Adventure, excitement and fun.

 

 

A female actor speaks animatedly, hands outstretched

James and the Giant Peach plays at SLT Fire Station 17 – 26 July 2025.

Buy tickets here