The award-winning West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, will mark its second anniversary tonight with a gala performance and party for cast, crew and special guests.
URINETOWN's Jonathan Slinger is set to star as 'Willy Wonka' in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, beginning toinght, May 2, 2015 for a run through April 2016. He follows Alex Jennings in the role.
As the hit West End show Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, approaches its second anniversary, producers today announced the cast that will take it into its third year. Alongside Jonathan Slinger as Willy Wonka will be Kraig Thornber (Grandpa George), Lara Denning (Mrs Bucket) and Mark Oxtoby (Jerry), among other new names. Originating company members Ross Dawes and Derek Hagen will take over the roles of Mr Salt and Mr Bucket respectively.
Today in 2002, Oklahoma! opened at the Gershwin Theatre, where it ran for 388 performances. Oklahoma! is the first musical written by the team of composer Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs. Set in Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906, it tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance with farm girl Laurey Williams. The original Broadway production opened on March 31, 1943. The 2002 revival featured Josefina Gabrielle as Laurey, Shuler Hensley as Jud, Patrick Wilson as Curly and Andrea Martin as Aunt Eller.
The Daily Mail writes that URINETOWN's Jonathan Slinger is set to star as 'Willy Wonka' in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, beginning May 2, 2015 for a run through April 2016. He follows Alex Jennings in the role.
It's the biggest night in the West End theatre calendar - the great and the good are gathered in Covent Garden to celebrate the best stage work of the last year. Stick with us throughout the night for all the winners, as well as gossip from the Party in the Piazza, and a running commentary on the TV highlights show!
The Olivier Awards 2014 are presented this evening - keep an eye on this page, updating live, for the results. Established in 1976, the Laurence Olivier Awards celebrate the world-class status of London's theatre and are Britain's most prestigious stage honours.
Nominees are Josefina Gabrielle (Merrily We Roll Along, Chocolate Factory/Harold Pinter Theatre), Colman Domingo (The Scottsboro Boys, Young Vic), Nigel Planer (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Stephen Ashfield (The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre)
Nominees are The Sound of Music (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre), Tell Me On A Sunday (St James/Duchess Theatre) and Merrily We Roll Along (Menier Chocolate Factory/Harold Pinter Theatre)
Today in 2002, Oklahoma! opened at the Gershwin Theatre, where it ran for 388 performances. Oklahoma! is the first musical written by the team of composer Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs. Set in Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906, it tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance with farm girl Laurey Williams. The original Broadway production opened on March 31, 1943. The 2002 revival featured Josefina Gabrielle as Laurey, Shuler Hensley as Jud, Patrick Wilson as Curly and Andrea Martin as Aunt Eller.
Barry James, Josefina Gabrielle, Richard Dempsey and Kirsty Malpass will join the previously announced Alex Jennings (Willy Wonka) in the cast of the record-breaking West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The nominations for The Olivier Awards 2014 with MasterCard - the most prestigious event in the UK's theatrical calendar - were announced today (Monday, March 10) by Nigel Harman and Leigh Zimmerman with the full list of nominations available below and online at www.olivierawards.com.
Christmas (almost) endeth the year. Time to reflect? Well, of course! It's what one does. And what better venue to do it in than in a pub on Richmond Green with my nearest and dearest, where we shared our varying theatrical highlights and lowlights of the year.
The UK editor-in-chief reflects on the ups and downs of West End theatre in 2013. So, another busy year in the West End - and a busy year for BWW:UK. I've been the editor-in-chief of BWW:UK for nearly five years now, working closely with our US newdesk (and dealing with that inconvenient time difference), and overseeing our ever-expanding reviewing squad (as well as our London writers, we also have a team at the Edinburgh Festival every year, and regional reviewers in cities around the UK including Glasgow, Birmingham, Sheffield and Bristol).
Susie McKenna bites the bullet and gives a Puss in Boots that stays loyal to its complicated French story but still incorporates all the traditions of its madcap English format. It's a packed show, coming in at just over two and a half hours - fortunately the pace doesn't let up and the audience goes home well entertained having had their money's worth.
'We're having such fun!' enthuses Sharon D Clarke. She sounds remarkably perky for someone who's just started the traditional gruelling British panto schedule. But then the Hackney Empire panto isn't your usual panto.
Here are the first images from Hackney Empire's 2013 pantomime Puss in Boots. The iconic London pantomime is written and directed by Susie McKenna who celebrates her 15th Hackney pantomime this year.
Hackney Empire has just released production images of their 2013 pantomime, PUSS IN BOOTS. Kat B, Sharon D Clarke, Josefina Gabrielle and Stephen Matthews star in this year's iconic Hackney pantomime. London's No.1 pantomime will run to the 05 January 2014 with press night set for Wednesday 04 December, 7pm. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!
Great news for Hollywood and Broadway fans: Hugh Jackman-who recently starred in the worldwide hit film version of 'Les Miserables'- can be seen again in his breakout musical role as cowpoke Curly in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, tonight, November 15 at 9 p.m. on THIRTEEN's Great Performances
Great news for Hollywood and Broadway fans: Hugh Jackman-who recently starred in the worldwide hit film version of "Les Miserables"- can be seen again in his breakout musical role as cowpoke Curly in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, Friday, November 15 at 9 p.m. on THIRTEEN's Great Performances
Videos
