All production pictures by Johan Persson
The Southbury Child
1 July to 27 August 2022 at the Bridge Theatre
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Friday, June 27, 2014
More celebrations - Pictures and Video
Charlie's Birthday Celebrations
Charlie celebrated its birthday with a party. Broadway World has some of the pictures. Alex can be seen on and offstage.
For the story and other pictures see: Broadway World.
For the story and other pictures see: Broadway World.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Broadway.com Interview
Alex talks to Broadway.com about Willy Wonka and a few other things. Just a few of the questions:
After a distinguished a career as a classical actor, it must be lovely to give musical theater another go.
Oh, it is. Working in musicals is something I always dreamed of, and then it happened with My Fair Lady, which was a completely joyful experience. And then came Charlie, which I am aware makes considerable demands on me, but I’m really enjoying it.
You made your public debut as Wonka at the Olivier Awards before you’d started performing the role. Was that daunting?
I made the mistake of looking at it online recently, which was a big error [laughs]. It was completely terrifying. The screen flew out and there I was as Willy Wonka thinking, “I wonder if I could just walk back into the wings now!”
No worries about the glass elevator that flies you and Charlie over the audience?
Not really. I don’t particularly suffer from fear of heights, but I do make sure to hold on very tightly to Charlie’s hands.
You'll be playing two roles—or two versions of the same role—in the film adaptation of Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van.
I’m guessing that may come off a bit like the twins in The Social Network: Alex Jennings acting with Alex Jennings? [Laughs.] Hopefully, we’ll be filming in the house in north London where the events [in the play] actually happened; Alan is writing to the neighbors as we speak.
You’re no stranger to Dame Maggie Smith, having acted opposite her in The Importance of Being Earnest in 1993.
And I had a wonderful time with her—a really fabulous time. How can you not enjoy being on stage with one of this country’s greatest if not the greatest living actresses? All that is left is to try to live up to the mark and match her, and what’s been wonderful is that the Charlie producers are giving me the necessary time off to do the film before returning and continuing in the part through to next May.
Is your current experience in Charlie making you look around the musical landscape to see what else might possibly appeal?
Not in any sense of being very proactive, since that’s not usually how I go about getting work. But it has given me more confidence in this field, certainly, and I have to say I do love Sondheim and would love to do one of his musicals one day. I wonder whether that could ever happen?
Read the full interview at Broadway.com.
After a distinguished a career as a classical actor, it must be lovely to give musical theater another go.
Oh, it is. Working in musicals is something I always dreamed of, and then it happened with My Fair Lady, which was a completely joyful experience. And then came Charlie, which I am aware makes considerable demands on me, but I’m really enjoying it.
You made your public debut as Wonka at the Olivier Awards before you’d started performing the role. Was that daunting?
I made the mistake of looking at it online recently, which was a big error [laughs]. It was completely terrifying. The screen flew out and there I was as Willy Wonka thinking, “I wonder if I could just walk back into the wings now!”
No worries about the glass elevator that flies you and Charlie over the audience?
Not really. I don’t particularly suffer from fear of heights, but I do make sure to hold on very tightly to Charlie’s hands.
You'll be playing two roles—or two versions of the same role—in the film adaptation of Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van.
I’m guessing that may come off a bit like the twins in The Social Network: Alex Jennings acting with Alex Jennings? [Laughs.] Hopefully, we’ll be filming in the house in north London where the events [in the play] actually happened; Alan is writing to the neighbors as we speak.
You’re no stranger to Dame Maggie Smith, having acted opposite her in The Importance of Being Earnest in 1993.
And I had a wonderful time with her—a really fabulous time. How can you not enjoy being on stage with one of this country’s greatest if not the greatest living actresses? All that is left is to try to live up to the mark and match her, and what’s been wonderful is that the Charlie producers are giving me the necessary time off to do the film before returning and continuing in the part through to next May.
Is your current experience in Charlie making you look around the musical landscape to see what else might possibly appeal?
Not in any sense of being very proactive, since that’s not usually how I go about getting work. But it has given me more confidence in this field, certainly, and I have to say I do love Sondheim and would love to do one of his musicals one day. I wonder whether that could ever happen?
Read the full interview at Broadway.com.
Charlie's Birthday
Yesterday "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" celebrated its first birthday. There was a party, of course, and Alex attended. The pictures are from Charlie's official twitter feed.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
The Secret Scripture
Alex will be reading Sebastian Barry's "The Secret Scripture" on BBC Radio 4 Extra with Doreen Keogh from tomorrow, 23 June at 14.00. The 10 episodes will be broadcast over the next two weeks. For more information see: BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Thanks again to Jen!
Thanks again to Jen!
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Wonka Talk
Alex talks at length to Lloyd Evans of The Spectator about appearing in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and other plans. He talks about the funny voices, acting with children, other ambitions, politics and his "transatlantic presence". The article will appear in the printed edition of 21 June.
Read at The Spectator.
Read at The Spectator.
Friday, June 13, 2014
Words of War
Monday afternoon 30 June Alex will take part in a reading of poetry, letters and memoirs of the First World War. Harriet Walter also takes part. The reading will take place at St Johns Church, Waterloo Road and is an NT platform. For tickets and information check the National Theatre website.
Thanks again to Kate!
Thanks again to Kate!
Saturday, June 07, 2014
Autumn Charlie Schedule
Alex will take time off from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" in the autumn to film "Lady in the Van". The official website gives the following message: "Mr Jennings' performance schedule is subject to change between the following dates inclusively: 6-25 October 2014 and 3-29 November 2014." So I guess if you want to be sure to see Alex in the show you need to book outside these periods.
For full announcement: official website.
For full announcement: official website.
Equity
The actors union Equity is holding elections. No guesses who Alex will be voting for. Malcolm being Mr Sinclair.
See Original tweet.
Thanks again to Kate!
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
Guardian Caricature
Nicola Jennings has drawn Alex as one of a series of caricatures in the Guardian.
For the original and other drawings see the Guardian.
For the original and other drawings see the Guardian.
Castles in the Sky
The film Alex made with Eddie Izzard, Tim McInnerney, Julian Rhind-Tutt amongst others in Scotland last year will open on 23 June at the Edinburgh Film Festival.
For more information or tickets check the Festival Website.
Meanwhile, last year Iain McKee posted a picture of the cast after the wrap on Twitter.
For more information or tickets check the Festival Website.
Meanwhile, last year Iain McKee posted a picture of the cast after the wrap on Twitter.
Monday, June 02, 2014
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