Pryor is larger than life
in ‘Big Friendly Giant’

By Rita Charleston
For the Times

So what if he’s a giant walking around on stilts?
At least he’s a friendly giant who has intelligent dietary habits as opposed to those unfriendly giants who go around eating children.
And if that makes him an outcast in his own community, then so be it!
Actually, that is the tale at the Arden Theatre Company’s presentation of Roald Dahl’s BFG (Big Friendly Giant) through Jan. 21, as part of its children’s theater series. Barrymore award-winner Peter Pryor takes the title role.
Dahl, award-winning author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach, fashions a yarn for old and young alike in this story about a young orphan Sophie and the Big Friendly Giant on their magical journey from Giant Country to Buckingham Palace.
They team up to save the children of England from menacing, decidedly unfriendly giants like Fleshlumpeater and Gizzardgulper!
Pryor, who won the 2006 Barrymore award for Outstanding Leading Actor in the Lantern Theater Company’s production of Richard III, said he’s happy to have this role in a true family show.
"First of all, this is a fun show, and it’s wonderful to be working with people I love and respect," said Pryor.
"Also, this is a play that celebrates the imagination of storytelling and innocence, so it’s a great experience to be part of it."
In addition to the actors, this show also features Philadelphia’s acclaimed puppet and mask designer Aaron Cromie’s monstrous, larger-than-life masks for the giants, as well as miniature puppets and dolls representing various characters.
"In fact," said Pryor, "two of the toughest things I had to learn was how to walk around with a big gigantic monster head on my head and using stilts — something I’d never done but have learned to. Oh, you fall down a couple of times, but you get used to it."
Pryor, who is from Northeast Philadelphia, said he owes his decision to go into the theater to his parents, who were extremely supportive of his growing ambitions.
Attending the University of the Arts, Pryor said in order to go into show business, you have to be prepared to make many sacrifices.
"And that could only be done because I was lucky enough to have my family behind me, and every time I wanted to give up, they would push me forward," he said.
"Today, I am proud to be part of the Philadelphia theater community — a very strong theater community that has something a lot of other cities don’t — where you can almost make a living doing theater here."
Almost, that is, because Pryor must still find ways to supplement his acting career. And he does so by directing other productions, spending time as a drama teacher at the Pathway School in Norristown and being involved with 1812 Productions which he co-founded.
This show at the Arden is ideally suited, said Pryor, to children and their parents.
"There are a lot of malapropism that all the giants speak that are funny and very dark and meant mostly for the amusement of the parents," he said. "For the most part, the kids don’t get it, but it’s a lot of fun for the rest of us."
For all the hats he now wears, Pryor said every inch of it brings him a great deal of satisfaction.
"I think the trick to be able to make a living is to do what you love to do," Pryor said. "And I love it all."
For times and ticket information, call 215-922-1122. ••