Richard Atwill

Turning children's books into Broadway musicals has become very popular over the last few years. There is just something about seeing your favorite book from childhood coming to life on stage that just brings a little bit of magic back into the lives of audiences.

Gary Naylor sees a new adaptation of an old favourite that hits the mark with broad appeal, plenty of laughs and fine songs.

London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a visionary Tennessee Williams revival to Wayne McGregor and a Dahl musical adaptation, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews...

Director of Nuffield Southampton Sam Hodges today announces the full cast for its brand new adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic Fantastic Mr Fox, a co-production with Curve, in association with Lyric Hammersmith.

Director of Nuffield Theatre Sam Hodges today announces the full cast for its brand new adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic Fantastic Mr Fox, a co-production with Curve, in association with Lyric Hammersmith.  Greg Barnett plays Mr Fox, with Richard Atwill (Rat/Bean), Raphael Bushay (Badger/Boggis), Jade Croot (Kit), Sandy Foster(Rabbit), Lillie Flynn (Mrs Fox), Gruffudd Glyn (Mole/Bunce), Kelly Jackson (Mouse), and Edward Hole and Tanya Shields completing the ensemble, alongside actor-musicians, Patrick Burbridge, Anna Fordham and Richie Hart.  

The cast has been announced for the winner of the Papatango New Writing Prize 2013, in partnership with the Finborough Theatre. The world premiere of UNSCORCHED by Luke Owen will be directed by Justin Audibert. Featuring designs by Georgia Lowe, lighting by Joshua Carr, and sound by Richard Hammarton.

The cast has been announced for the winner of the Papatango New Writing Prize 2013, in partnership with the Finborough Theatre. The world premiere of UNSCORCHED by Luke Owen will be directed by Justin Audibert. Featuring designs by Georgia Lowe, lighting by Joshua Carr, and sound by Richard Hammarton.

Unscorched will star Ronan Raftery (Juno and the Paycock, National Theatre; The Shawshank Redemption, West End; Fresh Meat) and John Hodgkinson (A Walk On Part, National Tour; The Seagull, National Theatre; Skyfall; Peep Show).

The Roman Bath, the classic comedy by Stanislav Stratiev, will have its UK première at the Arcola Theatre in a new version by Justin Butcher, from Wednesday 28 April to Saturday 15 May 2010. The press night is on Monday 3 May at 7.00pm.

The Roman Bath, the classic comedy by Stanislav Stratiev, will have its UK première at the Arcola Theatre in a new version by Justin Butcher, from Wednesday 28 April to Saturday 15 May 2010. The press night is on Monday 3 May at 7.00pm.

The Roman Bath, the classic comedy by Stanislav Stratiev, will have its UK première at the Arcola Theatre in a new version by Justin Butcher, from Wednesday 28 April to Saturday 15 May 2010. The press night is on Monday 3 May at 7.00pm.

The Finborough Theatre's staging of Joseph Sobol's play 'IWitness' from January 2 to 27 joins a number of other recent London stage productions that highlight in differing ways courageous defiance of Nazism in Germany. In 'The Sound Of Music' Captain von Trapp's refusal to bow to Nazi German rule and join their navy inspires him to flee his beloved Austria with his wife and family and 'Climb Every Mountain' to head for freedom. In 'Cabaret', Cliff Bradshaw finally opens his eyes to the reality of the Nazi menace that is beginning to raise its ugly head in the once divinely decadent Berlin and takes his leave of the city, while Sally Bowles refuses to accept what is happening around her. In Martin Sherman's 'Bent', concentration camp inmate Max Berber stages the ultimate defiance by eventually openly admitting his homosexuality and taking his own life. And in total contrast the musical 'The Producers' promotes Mel Brooks' premise that the best way to oppose the ideology of nazism is to ridicule it.