John Lithgow expresses his perspective on J.K. Rowling's handling of the backlash over her views on transgender issues: "She's managed it with a certain level of grace."
Rewritten Article:
Roald Dahl's Controversial Past and Its Lasting Impact
John Lithgow, a seasoned actor, acknowledges the cutthroat nature of cancel culture and its potential to bring down careers in a heartbeat. He shares, "It's a bloody nightmare to be so cautious about every word you utter, even in interviews like this. A minor misstep can lead to a world of misinterpretation and being labeled as 'canceled' in the blink of an eye."
This sentiment echoes his latest project — the stage show titled Giant — which delves into the controversial comments made by the esteemed children's author Roald Dahl. Through the lens of one explosive day in Dahl's life, the production poses a burning question: should we demand moral purity from our artists?
Remarkably, Dahl, the brains behind beloved works such as The Witches, Matilda, and The BFG, revolutionized children's literature with his irreverent approach. His stories have inspired generations of readers and sold hundreds of millions worldwide. Yet, Dahl's legacy remains deeply conflicted.
Lithgow describes Dahl as "a man with a fascinating charm, quick wit, and literary talent. A man who held a genuine love for children but also carried a heavy burden of personal demons."
Giant tackles the fallout from Dahl's incendiary comments about the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, shedding light on a topic that couldn't be more timely.
Lithgow notes: "There are things said in the play that people are too afraid to voice out loud... But the truth is, this is a complex and contradictory issue."
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'Giant' Started off with a Different Idea'
The provocative nature of the play's themes led Lithgow's own son to warn him: "Buckle up, mate. There'll be protests outside the Royal Court Theatre."
Indeed, the play's initial run came with an audience warning, flagging "antisemitic language, graphic depictions of violence, discussions on the Middle East conflict, and strong language." But it didn't deter audiences. The show sold out at the Royal Court, earning Lithgow an Olivier award. Now, it's set to transfer to the West End.
The play was penned by Mark Rosenblatt, a seasoned theatre director and fledgling playwright.
He shares: "The idea of the play didn't stem from Roald Dahl at all in the beginning. It was about the murky waters of genuine political discourse blurring with racism, particularly when the inquiry into antisemitism within the Labour Party started."
Rosenblatt grew up with Dahl's Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts as his childhood 'wallpaper,' yet he held no desire to tarnish Dahl's reputation. However, his exploration of how one can harbor conflicting feelings towards a problematic individual led to Dahl becoming the focal point of the play.
'He's Still a Staple in Our Home'
Rosenblatt sees Dahl as "a complex man, capable of boundless compassion, passionate defense of the oppressed, and yet also prone to immense cruelty and manipulation. He was a man of many contradictions."
Speaking of Dahl's presence in his life currently, Rosenblatt contends: "I continue to read his books to my kids. He's by no means canceled in our household."
While Dahl's comments made in a pre-social media era might not have garnered immediate backlash, they would undoubtedly spark significant social media outrage in today's climate. Nevertheless, the debate over separating art from the artist remains pertinent in our society.
lately, Lithgow found himself at the center of a different controversy — this time regarding author J.K. Rowling.
'It's About Nuance'
Set to portray Dumbledore in the Harry Potter TV series, Lithgow has faced criticism from some fans for working with the controversial author. He shares: "I hear this question all the time. I suppose I should get used to it, but JK Rowling has created an extraordinary body of work for children...
"I have my own feelings about this issue, but I'm not going to shy away from discussing it. The nuances are crucial... I think she's handled it remarkably well."
Lithgow chose to take on the role despite calls to the contrary.
He continues: " frankly, I'd rather be part of this than sit on the sidelines. If I am to speak on this matter, I prefer to do so from a position within this project, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with JK Rowling."
With a dedicated fan base eagerly watching, only time will tell if the Lithgow-Rowling collaboration will prove to be a brilliant partnership.
Giant is playing at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London until August 2nd.
- John Lithgow, while acknowledging the rigors of cancel culture, finds it challenging to be careful with his words, fearing a minor misstep could lead to misinterpretation and being labeled as 'canceled.'
- The stage show Giant focuses on controversial comments made by author Roald Dahl, delving into a day that changed Dahl's life and raises questions about demanding moral purity from artists.
- Roald Dahl, renowned for works like The Witches, Matilda, and The BFG, was a complex figure with conflicting attributes; a man of charm, wit, literary talent, love for children, but also bearing personal demons.
- In Giant, there are topics discussed that people are afraid to vocalize, such as the Middle East conflict, antisemitic language, and graphic depictions of violence.
- Mark Rosenblatt, the playwright for Giant, originally didn't intend to focus on Roald Dahl. However, his exploration of conflicting feelings towards a problematic individual led to Dahl becoming the core of the play.
