Roald Dahl News

Los Angeles Children's Chorus, acclaimed for its pure, agile, bel canto sound that has made it one of the most in-demand children's choirs in the county, spotlights the music of Benjamin Britten and the English choral tradition and also performs a compelling array of music from around the globe at its popular annual Winter Concert on Saturday, December 7, 7 PM, and Sunday, December 8, 2013, 7:30 PM, at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. The repertoire includes Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols, Friday Afternoons and selections from his extensive collection of folksong settings, as well as a selection of English carols and cathedral anthems from Sir David Willc*cks, John Rutter and others.

The cast of the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical will kick off the annual BBC Children in Need 2013 Appeal Night broadcast on Friday 15th November from 7:30pm on BBC One. As previously announced, Sir Terry Wogan, Tess Daly, Fearne Cotton, Zoe Ball and Nick Grimshaw will play host to some of the biggest names in music, comedy and entertainment including One Direction, Doctor Who, Harry Hill, and cast of Call The Midwife.

BroadwayWorld just met the cast and you can check out an exclusive interview with choreographer Scott Ambler below! Scott is Associate Director of Matthew Bourne's New Adventures. His performing work includes: The Car Man (UK tour/Old Vic season/European/US tours), Cinderella (West End/L.A), Swan Lake(Sadler's Wells/UK tour/L.A/ Broadway/Dominion), Highland Fling(UK/European tours/Donmar season), Nutcracker! (Sadler's Wells/UK tour). TV and film credits include: The Car Man, Swan Lake, Roald Dahl's Little Red Riding Hood, Drip: A Love Story, OK2. As Matthew Bourne's Assistant his work includes: Peer Gynt (RSC Barbican), Oliver! (London Palladium), staging of Swan Lake section in Billy Elliot (Working Title), My Fair Lady (National Theatre and Theatre Royal Drury Lane), South Pacific and Play Without Words (National Theatre).

Embracing the long, rich history of dark, mysterious, and playful subject matter à la The Brothers Grimm, Roald Dahl, Lemony Snicket, Neil Gaiman, and Tim Burton, San Francisco's beloved band Rainbow Beast looks forward to the February 11 release of Tales from the Monstrosity Scrolls, a collaborative effort with the youthful Rock Band Land Rockers.

Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts, a spectacular new live show combining two of his most famous and best-loved rhyming storybooks, will make its world premiere at La Boite's Roundhouse Theatre these school holidays from 8 to 18 January.

Last week (Monday 28th October to Saturday 2nd November 2013) Roald Dahl's' Charlie and the Chocolate Factory broke the West End record for the highest reported weekly gross sales. Over the course of the nine show week almost 20,000 people saw the musical at Theatre Royal Drury Lane achieving a record value of £1,062,606. This figure also breaks the show's own Drury Lane record set in August 2013. Since the box office opened in October 2012 the show has taken £21million in ticket sales and is now booking through to November 2014.

The hit West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, announced today that it has extended its booking period by six months until 1 November 2014. The show had previously been booking until 31 May 2014. The production, which has so far been seen by almost 300,000 people since it began previews in May 2013, is extending its run due to popular demand, releasing almost 400,000 extra tickets.

The young leading ladies of MATILDA -- Milly Shapiro, Sophia Gennusa, Bailey Ryon and Oona Laurence -- attended a surprise Sardi's caricature unveiling at Sardi's Restaurant today, October 22, 2013 in New York City. BroadwayWorld was there and brings you full coverage of the unveiling!

The young leading ladies of MATILDA -- Milly Shapiro, Sophia Gennusa, Bailey Ryon and Oona Laurence -- attended a surprise Sardi's caricature unveiling at Sardi's Restaurant today, October 22, 2013 in New York City. BroadwayWorld was there and brings you a sneak peek below! Be sure to check back for full coverage!

When Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly's musical MATILDA, based on Roald Dahl's novel by the same name, first leapt across the pond most assumed that the Broadway cast would not get a cast recording. However, this production has been full of surprise announcements like Bertie Carvel reprising his role as Miss Trunchbull and the addition of an overture and pre-show curtain. Garnering positive notices when it opened on Broadway, the MATILDA (Original Broadway Cast Recording) does a great job capturing the spirit of the clever and spunky show.

Art isn't just for grown ups. That's why, for the middle weekend of this year's Melbourne Festival, we've created a sensational program of events specifically for the budding art-appreciators out there.

Imagination Stage will bring back its popular production of Aquarium for its youngest patrons, December 17, 2013, through January 26, 2014. Aquarium was developed by Lyngo Theatre and premiered in January 2011 under the direction of Patrick Lynch and Pietro Chiarenza.

The Palace Theatre Kicks of the 2013-14 Palace Youth Theatre Season with Willie Wonka.

People Magazine reports that Camille Grammer 'underwent a radical hysterectomy today,' her rep, Howard Bragman, told the magazine. 'The surgery went well, and she is expected to make a complete recovery following a significant recuperation period.' '[She] has been diligent about regular checkups and monitoring, which explains the early detection and rapid treatment,' Bragman said. 'Ms. Grammer expresses gratitude to all the amazing health care professionals who have taken such loving and nurturing care of her.'

Below, BroadwayWorld brings you an exclusive first listen of the show's Act 2 anthem- 'Revolting Children.'

Craig Bierko, who began performances on September 17 in the role of Miss Trunchbull in Matilda The Musical, has temporarily exited the show due to an injury. A show representative told NYT: 'Due to a shoulder injury which delayed his start in 'Matilda the Musical' and which has been aggravated during performance, Craig Bierko will be taking a 12-week disability leave from the production. At this time, understudies Chris Hoch and Ben Thompson will be playing Miss Trunchbull.'

Penobscot Theatre Dramatic Academy is thrilled to announce their youth production of The Witches. To celebrate Halloween, literacy, and live performance, Dramatic Academy's Tiny Thespians and Youth Troupe will collaborate to perform this modern classic. Featuring 18 local students, this production will take place on the main stage of The Bangor Opera house with a special opening performance on October 31st at 4 p.m. Audience members are encouraged to come in their Halloween costumes for the 60 minute performance to make sure they are ready to trick or treat after the show! Movement, magic, and mice are combined to create a thrilling play performed by young actors and written for young audiences.

The original London cast recording of the new stage adaptation of Roald Dahl's celebrated children's novel CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY is now available to purchase, featuring Tony Award-winning Douglas Hodge in the notable role of Willy Wonka.

A former Perth arts student described as 'sublimely talented, witty, smart and unabashedly offensive' in a musical career that has taken the world by storm has been awarded an honorary doctorate by The University of Western Australia. Tim Minchin joined 225 graduates receiving their degrees in historic Winthrop Hall, marking one of the highlights of the University's 2013 Centenary Year celebrations. He delivered the Occasional Address to graduands and was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters for his contribution to the arts. Click below to listen to his wonderful speech!

As NW Children's Theatre & School introduces its 21st Season of Plays, NWCT promises to 'never grow up!' Building on the most successful season in two decades, NWCT flies off the stage with epic adventures, bedtime stories told in new languages, a bebop-infused spin on a childhood classic, and a triumphant return to Neverland!