Bedknobs and Broomsticks - U.K. & Ireland Tour

Joanna Riding is a must for Ms Price, surely?

This was on our list some time ago as something that was ripe for a stage musical.

I’m calling it now, they’ll use the Aladdin carpet trick for the bed under the sea.

Must drag out the DVD and rewatch it methinks

I'm glad Disney hasn't been deterred by the National Theatre's Pinocchio from opening and developing shows over here if it does, as Bedknobs is such a British story. Though I wonder if it will be at another producing house or will it open straight away in the commercial sector. Perhaps even out of town first like Mary Poppins did in Bristol.

Wherever it will be, I'm looking forward to seeing it as I love this film!

Imelda's waaaay too old for Miss Price!  Lansbury was in her forties when she played her, but even then I always assumed she was playing younger - she's a trainee witch, and is basically (spoiler alert) starting a family at the end of the movie.  She's not a grandmother by any stretch, and I think Imelda would be terrible casting.  It needs someone younger who can play quirky comedy, but also channel the motherly/caring moments.  Laura Pitt-Pulford would be top of my list.

Actually I was basing the Imelda comment purely on acting style and character. Not a single thought of age involved, though admittedly I’ve always thought Miss Price was an old spinster (now I look it up, Angela was 46 when the film was released so not old as such...)

She seemed very old at the time!

I’m a bit concerned this going to be some low rent version with no money behind it. I hope I’m wrong.

So I watched this on DVD last night- yes, DVD, I still have them and this one.

It's actually been so long that I couldn't even remember anything about it, other than Angela Lansbury was in it and there was a song called Portabello Road. I couldn't even hum the tune.

It's always great to see David Tomlinson in an old Disney film, isn't it? It's the same feeling when you see Terry Thomas in an old film.

in this David Tomlinson is playing a completely different character than Mr Banks. And Roddy Doyle as the muddling priest and a younger Bruce Forsyth. Though I understand why it was in the film, I actually though the animated sequence was a little too long.

In terms of a children's fantasy film, personally, I think Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is far better- but hey, that's just my opinion.

I can absolutely see this staged, with some stage wizardry, a large ensemble cast and some additional songs. Animatronics for the cat, cutting back on the animated sequence a little.

With some clever set design, the inside of the house and museum could be recreated. Also the whole library scene.

Portabello Road would be the big ensemble dance number closing Act 1.

With clever costuming and projections the whole animated sequence could be staged.

Lets wait and see how this develops and what will happen.

Poops. Yep

If you look at the creative team i think the above sounds about right. They don't seem to have thrown a big budget broadway creative team at it, it feels like it could be something more intimate and creative.

I guess the jury will be out on what way they should go with it until we have seen it.