Douglas Hodge

The musicals will have it at this year's Oliver Awards, the annual ceremony to honour the year's best theatre productions, which will take place on the 13th April. Last year, Matilda The Musical was the evening's grand victor and the theme of Roald Dahl adoration will be continued this year with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and its Willy Wonka, AKA Douglas Hodge, standing out as early favourites.

'The Book Of Mormon' Is One Of The Nomination-Leading Productions At The Oliviers 2014.

The childrens musical, along with the 1981 comedy musical Merrily We Roll Along, leads the nominations this year with seven nods each. Next, The Book of Mormon, Once and The Scottsboro Boys are up for six prizes each and will battle it out in the fiercely-fought Best New Musical category.

Continue reading: 2014 Olivier Awards Nominees: Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Merrily We Roll Along, The Book Of Mormon Set To Dominate

When Sam Mendes first decided to adapt Roald Dahl's 49 year-old best loved children's book about an eccentric chocolate maker and one very lucky little boy, he hadn't anticipated the scale or scope of his Charlie And The Chocolate Factory production - or the time it would take to come to fruition.

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory has been brought to life on a large scale before: 1971's film saw Gene Wilder bring his unconventional and volatile incarnation of the mad professor of confectionery in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, whereas a Tim Burton movie kickstarted the franchise again in 2005 with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that saw Johnny Depp on truly bizarre form.

Now, the legend has been brought to the West End by Skyfall director Sam Mendes, who also has a host of strong musicals under his belt, including Oliver! (1994) and Cabaret (1994). The Guardian hails the modern adaptation of Dahl's moral fable as a "sumptuous visual feast" and praises the effective "engaging and sinister" portrayal of Wonka by Douglas Hodge. Young Jack Costello's "adorable" performance as Charlie is lauded by The Independent, along with the band of entitled and greedy golden ticket-winning brats who accompany Charlie on the trip of a lifetime.

Continue reading: Charlie And The Chocolate Factory Musical Debuts In West End

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Musical has been re-envisioned by Sam Mendes and will open its doors to the public for the first time this evening at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

For those of you who don’t know the Raold Dahl’s much loved children’s book, the story follows Charlie, a poor but delightful child, who wins a golden ticket (hidden in a chocolate bar) and is given the opportunity to tour the eccentric Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Also present on the tour are a handful of hideous and sinful children who all come to sticky ends. It’s a modern day fairy-tale where good conquers evil except for Willy Wonka who we’re never quite sure about. There is something sinister about the chocolate maker and his army on oompa-lumpas.

Starring Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka; Nigel Planer as Grandpa Joe; Clive Carter as Mr Salt and a multitude of small children playing Charlie and the assortment of monsters, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory promises to be a star filled event. Especially as it is directed by Sam Mendes, who won an Oscar for American Beauty, he is not unfamiliar with the stage either having directed numerous musicals including Gypsy, Oliver and Cabaret.

Continue reading: 'Charlie And The Chocolate Factory: The Musical', Directed By Sam Mendes, Will Open Tonight

Douglas Hodge won a throng of new fans and even a Tony Award when he was last on Broadway for La Cage Aux Folles and now he is back on the stage taking on the celebrated title role in the latest version of Cyrano de Bergerac to hit New York.

It is the role, created by Edmond Rostand in 1897, that has seen such distinguished actors as Christopher Plummer, Gérard Depardieu (who won an Oscar nomination) and most recently on Broadway Kevin Kline put on the fake nose to take on the role, but this time round the Brit actor his being lamented as being the perfect casting as audiences and critics can’t help but lap on the praise for the actor, who performed the first show of the run only last night (October 11, 2012).

In fact, it isn’t just Hodge that is getting the praise for the show, as his (largely British) co-stars have also impressed all round for their performances. British director Jamie Lloyd takes helm of the new production, whilst fellow Brit Ranjit Bolt has provided a new translation of the timeless production. Kyle Soller, another Brit and French actress Clemence Poesy make up the rest of the top billed cast.