Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl 100

News, West End
Roald Dahl 100

Tuesday 13 September 2016 HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROALD DAHL 2016 marks 100 years since the birth of Roald Dahl – the world’s number one storyteller. Throughout 2016, there will be celebrations for Roald Dahl 100, focusing on Roald Dahl’s gloriumptious stories and characters and delivering a year packed with squiffling surprises and treats for everyone. BritishTheatre.com is pleased to bring you some great articles about the master story-teller. You can also plan a visit to see Charlie And The Chocolate Factory in its final year at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane or visit the International Award-winning musical Matilda at London’s Cambridge Theatre. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ROALD DAHL 100

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory To Close After Four Years

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical, News, West End
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Producers of the hit musical Charlie And The Chocolate Factory have announced that the production will close during it’s fourth year in London’s West End. The official closing date has yet to be announced. Roald Dahl has been breaking box office records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it has been seen by 1.8 million people since it’s opening in 2013. It currently ranks in the top three longest-running shows at the venue alongside 42nd Street and Miss Saigon. A Broadway production will open in the 2016-17 season and tickets for a UK tour will go on sale next year. Jonathan Slinger continues in the role of Willy Wonka, as do the principal cast members: Barry James as Grandpa Joe, Ross Dawes as Mr Salt, Josefina Gabrielle as Mrs Teavee, Jasna Ivir as Mrs Gloop, Paul J Medford as Mr Beauregarde, Claire Carrie as Grandma Josephine, Lara Denning as … Read more

Matilda – Shubert Theatre

Matilda the musical West End, News
Matilda on Broadway
From the novel Matilda by children’s favourite Roald Dahl comes this magical offering from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Having thrilled audiences on London’s West End, Matilda the Musical is now entrancing Broadway, receiving standing ovations and winning a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards, including Best Musical. Young Matilda Wormwood is finding it tough. She’s super intelligent but no-one seems to notice. She’s ignored by her TV-addicted family and bullied by her scary headmistress but one day Matilda makes an incredible discovery: she has some very special powers. A story that will capture the imagination of both young and old, Matilda the Musical breathes new life into Dahl’s beloved tale. A supremely talented cast of adult and child actors as well as stunning set design and ingenious props deliver an inspiring, hilarious and exuberant production. Playing at New York’s Shubert Theater, this tale of imagination and determination is one that should be ... Read more

REVIEW: The Twits, Royal Court Theatre ✭✭

Off West End, Reviews
The Twits by Roald Dahl at the Jerwood Theatre

With both Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda still playing with great success elsewhere, this is the latest attempt to bring Dahl’s unique alchemy of moralised, uplifting, yet also disturbing, and quirky childhood adventure to the London stage. However, unfortunately this current adaptation cannot stand alongside those two multi-layered yet flexible masterpieces with any great conviction.

REVIEW: Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Theatre Royal Drury Lane ✭✭✭✭

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical, Reviews, West End
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory At The Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Sam Mendes’ production of the musical adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is in excellent shape. Nothing indicates that more clearly than the show not missing a beat despite the fact that three understudies were called upon to perform. The company didn’t hiccup. Routines are polished and well-drilled; Mark Thompson’s wonderfully colourful, and sometimes colourless, costumes and sets are in pristine shape and conjure up the requisite sense of magic effortlessly. The tunefulness and sprightly fun of Marc Shaiman’s music remains infectious and sweet.

New Cast Announced For Charlie And The Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical, News, West End
Charlie and the chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal Dury Lane

Now approaching its second anniversary, producers of the hit musical Charlie And The Chocolate Factory have announced the cast that will perform in the show into its third year. It was previously announced that Jonathan Slinger will be taking on the role of Willy Wonka. Alongside Jonathan will be Kraig Thornber (Grandpa George), Lara Denning (Mrs Bucket) and Mark Oxtoby (Jerry), among other new names. Original company members Ross Dawes and Derek Hagen will take over the roles of Mr Salt and Mr Bucket respectively. An unheard of two-thirds of the current cast will continue performing in Wonka’s factory. The continuing cast includes Roni Page, Myra Sands, Ross Dawes, Jasna Ivir, Paul J. Medford, Kate Graham Derek Hagen and Joe Allen, who have all been with the show since it opened in Spring 2013. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory continues to be one of the West End’s most popular stage … Read more

Jonathan Slinger Named As New Willy Wonka

News, West End
Jonathan Slinger takes over the role of Willy Wonka from May 4 in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory at London's Drury Lane Theatre

It was announced today that Jonathan Slinger will replace Alex Jennings in the role of Willy Wonka in the smash hit musical Charlie And The Chocolate Factory from Monday 4 May 2015. Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has quickly become one of the West End’s most popular and successful stage musicals. It has broken multiple records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it has been seen by over 1.25 million people since it opened in June 2013. It is currently taking bookings until 4 June 2016. In a stage career spanning two decades, Jonathan Slinger has cemented his position amongst the foremost Shakespearean actors of the age. His extensive appearances with the Royal Shakespeare Company include the title roles in recent productions of Hamlet, Macbeth, Richard II and Richard III; Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Prospero in The Tempest and Dromio and Puck in The Comedy of Errors … Read more