Charlie

[Nickhutson]

I put up my interview with Marc Shaiman on MusicalTalk on Tuesday - where he talks about Smash, fame becomes me - and his musical of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

How do you think this show will fair? The Palladium is certainly in the pipe-line for it. Marc told me the show will be entirely global - and not specifically British or American - but Charlie will be British; it will be huge with lots of Magic!

He could "kill himself" about the big musical in London at the moment currently being a Roald Dahl show... bad timing, or good timing?

He will be here for 9 months working on it whilst writing the 2nd series of Smash!

Exciting times!

[Jonwo]

It will get compared to Matilda despite the fact it's likely be much bigger, the key is the casting especially for Charlie and Wonka.

I think it has the potential to be a hit but I hope that it's more based on the book than either of the films.

[Nickhutson]

Yes - they've gone straight to the book - and used slight influences from the films.

The adaptation of this story is huge...

Thus far we have

Film Musical (with songs by Newley and Bricusse)

Second Film (With songs by Dahl and Elfmann)

Opera (Golden Ticket - written by Peter Ash and Donald Sturrock)

Willy Wonka Junior (based on the 1st film musical; the 2 act version has music and lyrics by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse and was adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Tim McDonald)

and now the new musical with music by Marc Shaiman and Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman.

Phew!!

[Phantom of London]

Is it just me, who think this will be a flop? It is just cashing in on the success of 'Matilda', like 'Cry Baby' did with 'Hairspray' or 'Love Never Dies' with the Phantom.

However how much my opinion is negative, that is just my opinion and naturally wish the show the exact opposite.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Very limited audience to fill a 2500 seat house

[Scarywarhol]

I'm not so sure. The last film version made nearly $500 million in 2005, and a lot of people didn't even like it.

[Princeton Returns]

I think it has potential to be huge, its a big name and families would likely flock to it. I know people who have wanted to see it on stage and mentioned why its never been done (they didn't know its in the works). The problem it may have is not using the songs from the well known film,