The Selfish Giant – Friargate Theatre, York

Writer: Oscar Wilde

Adapter: Jon Boustead

Director: Paul Birch

Composer: Pat Burbridge 

The Selfish Giant at Friargate Theatre in York offers a charming and engaging reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s classic story for young audiences. The play is based on a story written over two hundred years ago by the famous writer, Oscar Wilde. In the original tale, a Giant has a wonderful garden which children love to play in. The garden is a bit like the Giant’s own heart and, because he is selfish, he builds a wall to keep the children out. The children are very sad. When the Giant walls up his garden and his heart, winter comes, and everything becomes frozen. In the icy and lonely cold, the Giant is left feeling very sad too. One day, a mysterious child appears in the garden and reminds the Giant of love and kindness. The Giant opens up his garden again, and both the children and summer return. The garden and the Giant’s heart are once again filled with new warmth and joy.

This production brings that emotional journey to life with warmth, humour and a strong sense of play. Jared More as the Boy, Daffy and Frost, and Matthew Rutherford as the Giant, Smog, Dill, Sam and Snow give lovely, measured performances throughout the piece, gently bringing the young audience along on the journey. They skilfully facilitate multiple participatory moments, allowing children a real sense of authorship over the show as well as welcome opportunities to “get the wiggles out”. Their clear, generous acting style ensures that even the youngest theatregoers can follow the action and feel included.

Anna Gooch’s design is playful, colourful and imaginative, creating a vivid world that feels both magical and accessible. The set and props invite curiosity, while the visual storytelling supports children’s understanding of the Giant’s emotional transformation. There is a strong emphasis on atmosphere, with seasonal shifts in the garden cleverly realised to mirror the Giant’s changing heart.

However, the storyline itself feels a little lacking in clarity and motivation at times. It can seem as though a lot happens for no clear reason. The Giant becomes sad, disappears, and then returns alone, but the reasons for these changes are not fully explained, which risks leaving some children confused. A touch more narrative explanation and emotional signposting would strengthen the piece considerably, particularly given the younger age group it serves.

Despite this, The Selfish Giant remains a beautiful, interactive performance for young children and their families. Its emphasis on kindness, inclusion and shared experience makes it a valuable introduction to theatre and to Wilde’s timeless themes. Highly recommended.

Runs until 5th September 2026, before touring