It’s that time of the year when humans – or as the large and benevolent eponymous character would have it, “human beans” – are flagging but puppets are bouncing with energy and taking over our stages. Paddington looks set to eat marmalade in the West End forever and now the RSC, the wondercrump originator of Matilda the Musical , returns to Roald Dahl for a journey into Giant Country.

In food-theatrical terms, the result is clear: the bear’s marmalade sandwiches will long outlast the BFG’s snozzcumbers.

How to present said Big Friendly Giant successfully? Under the guidance of puppetry designer/director Toby Olié (who played a key role in the original production of War Horse ) he is brought to life by four puppeteers who manipulate sections of his head and shoulders.

Yet that’

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