Book vs Film Club: time to get gobblefunking about The BFG

Many of us were raised on the delights of a Roald Dahl novel (or five). Fans of The BFG, in particular, no doubt still remember the snozzcumbers, the tea with the Queen, that giant hand reaching in and grabbing Sophie, the many dreams in jars...

But The BFG is no longer consigned to our childhood memories. Now, my fellow human beans, there is a new adaptation for us to enjoy! And from Steven Spielberg, no less.

The Book vs Film Club was created for just such splitzwiggled events! The idea (in case you’re new to this!) is to read the book then see the film and – you guessed it – discuss both book and film and see which came out on top.

The BFG is due in cinemas in July so if you want to join in with all the gobblefunking then get over to Twitter (@bookvsfilmclub or #BookVsFilmClub) or Facebook and make yourself known.

And get reading!

Book vs Film Club 2016 stories: Room to The BFG - the trailers!

Wondering what books to read in 2016? Or what films you should start getting excited about?

From heart-breakers to brain-eaters, 2016 is an exciting year for adaptations. Some old classics are getting the adaptation treatment along with some brave new novels and a few comic book favourites.

Here are the trailers we have so far for all of the Book Vs Film Club stories we'll be looking forward to in 2016.

To keep up to date with the club, follow @bookvsfilmclub.

January
Room


February
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies


April
The Jungle Book


Captain America: Civil War


June
Me Before You


July
The BFG


September
The Girl With All The Gifts


October
A Monster Calls

Nigel Planer and more announced for Sam Mendes' Charlie and Chocolate Factory musical production

With Douglas Hodge set to play Willy Wonka in Sam Mendes' new stage production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it remained to be seen who would be playing the many other beloved characters from the Roald Dahl story. With the key role of Charlie himself still unannounced, it has been revealed that Nigel Planer will be playing the unstoppable Grandpa Joe.

Other cast includes Clive Carter as Mr Salt, Jasna Ivir as Mrs Gloop, Paul J Medford as Mr Beauregarde, Iris Roberts as Mrs Teavee and Myra Sands as Grandma Georgina alongside Joe Allen, David Birch, Michelle Bishop, Mireia Mambo Bokele, Matthew Clark, Alex Clatworthy, Jennifer Davison, Luke Fetherston, Nia Fisher, Kate Graham, Clare Halse, Mark Iles, Daniel Ioannou, Kieran Jae, Jane McMurtrie, Natalie Moore-Williams, Sherrie Pennington, Damien Poole, Paul Saunders, Jack Shalloo and Jay Webb.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Summary/Plot
When Charlie wins a golden ticket to the weird and wonderful Wonka Chocolate Factory, it’s the chance of a lifetime to feast on the sweets he’s always dreamed of. But beyond the gates astonishment awaits, as down the sugary corridors, and amongst the incredible edible delights, the five lucky winners discover not everything is as sweet as it seems.

Tickets for the production are on sale now. The World Premiere is set to be held in June 2013 with previews from 18 May 2013. 

Further information is available from the website: www.CharlieandtheChocolateFactory.com 

Douglas Hodge Cast as Willy Wonka For New Stage Musical

DOUGLAS HODGE TO PLAY WILLY WONKA IN WORLD PREMIERE OF ROALD DAHL’S CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Only days before tickets go on sale for 2013's new musical stage production of Roald Dahl's much-loved book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it has been announced that Olivier and Tony Award®-winning actor Douglas Hodge is to play the infamous role of Willy Wonka. The production will be directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Summary/Plot

When Charlie wins a golden ticket to the weird and wonderful Wonka Chocolate Factory, it’s the chance of a lifetime to feast on the sweets he’s always dreamed of. But beyond the gates astonishment awaits, as down the sugary corridors, and amongst the incredible edible delights, the five lucky winners discover not everything is as sweet as it seems.

Tickets for the production go on sale next Monday 15th October. The World Premiere is set to be held in June 2013 with previews from 18 May 2013.

Here is the official press release:

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and Kevin McCormick today announced that Olivier and Tony Award®-winning actor Douglas Hodge will play Willy Wonka in Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 25th June next year.

Tickets for the new musical go on public sale on Monday 15th October, for performances from 18th May 2013 until the end of the current booking period on Saturday 30th November 2013.

Douglas Hodge is a four time Olivier-nominated actor/director, who has worked at the National Theatre, the RSC, Shakespeare’s Globe and the Royal Court Theatre. On Broadway, he is currently starring at the American Airlines Theatre in the title role of Cyrano de Bergerac, for the Roundabout Theatre Company. He won the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for his Broadway debut in La Cage Aux Folles, having already won the Olivier Award for the same performance in London. For ten years he worked closely with Harold Pinter, and he was Associate Director at the Donmar from 2007 to 2009. He has released two albums of his own compositions 'Cowley Road Songs' and 'Nightbus', and won the Stiles and Drewe 2012 Best New Song Award for ‘Powercut’. Alongside numerous television credits, his feature films include Vanity Fair, Robin Hood, the soon to be released Serena, and Diana – in which he plays Paul Burrell, butler to Diana, Princess of Wales.

ROALD DAHL’s deliciously dark tale of young Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectioner Willy Wonka comes to life in a brand new West End musical directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes.

Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the wonder of the original story that has captivated the world for almost 50 years is brought to life with music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman (Grammy® winners for Hairspray; Smash), a book by award-winning playwright and adaptor David Greig (The Bacchae; Tintin In Tibet), set and costume designs by Mark Thompson (Mamma Mia!; One Man, Two Guvnors) and choreography by Peter Darling (Billy Elliot; Matilda).

This world premiere musical is produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and Kevin McCormick.

Further information is available from the website: www.CharlieandtheChocolateFactory.com
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Follow us at: https://twitter.com/CharlieChoc_UK

Sam Mendes to Direct Stage Production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Musical

The much-loved Roald Dahl story Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - which has already been adapted into two films - is now set to hit the stage next year in a new production directed by film Director Sam Mendes.

Here's the official press release...

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and Kevin McCormick Present Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY The Musical.

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and Kevin McCormick today announced that their production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will open at the London Palladium in June 2013 after a preview period.

The new stage musical will be directed by Sam Mendes, with a book by David Greig and new songs from Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Set and costume design will be by Mark Thompson with choreography by Peter Darling. Other members of the creative team include: Doug Besterman (orchestrations); Nicholas Skilbeck (Music Director); Paul Pyant (Lighting Designer); Paul Arditti (Sound Designer) and Jon Driscoll (Video and Projection Designer).

The mysterious Willy Wonka is opening his Chocolate Factory for just one day, and for Charlie Bucket it promises to be a mouth-watering chance to feast his eyes on sweets beyond his wildest imagination. Academy Award®-winning film and theatre director Sam Mendes will bring Roald Dahl’s much-loved classic to life in this world premiere stage production.

Tickets will go on sale to the public in October 2012.

Further information is available from the website: www.CharlieandtheChocolateFactory.co.uk.