‘I’m an ordinary man who plays crazy parts’: John Lithgow on tackling Roald Dahl

When John Lithgow got the role of author and antisemite Roald Dahl, friends feared for his safety. He reveals why he’s never been one to shy from a challenge

There’s no denying the physical resemblance between the actor John Lithgow, who is sitting in front of me, and the author Roald Dahl, who he will soon depict on stage at the Royal Court. On one wall of the London studio where rehearsals are taking place is a collage of pictures of Dahl in his later years. In the opposite corner is Lithgow, here for another day of production prep, neatly squeezed into a wooden chair. “I was first sent the script mainly because I’m as tall as Dahl was,” Lithgow says, flailing his long limbs for effect. “And I do look a lot like him. Though I’m not sure I’m particularly proud of that part.”

Beyond their looks, the men share few similarities. Lithgow is genial, enthusiastic, softly spoken. The Dahl he intends to depict on stage starts off equally delightful. “He’s a charmer,” Lithgow says. “Our intention is for people to find him witty, delectable and endearing… Until they don’t.”