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'Die Nibelungen: Siegfried': Paul Richter as the dragon-slaying hero of medieval Germanic mythology. 'Die Nibelungen': Enthralling silent classic despite complex plot and countless characters Based on the medieval epic poem Nibelungenlied, itself inspired by the early medieval Germanic saga about the Burgundian royal family, Fritz Lang's two-part Die Nibelungen is one of those movies I can enjoy many times without ever really understanding who's who and what's what. After all, the semi-historical, fantasy/adventure epic is packed with intrigue, treachery, deceit, hatred, murder, and sex. And that's just the basic plotline. As seen in Kino's definitive two-disc edition, artistically and cinematically speaking Die Nibelungen contains some of the greatest visual compositions I've ever seen. Filmed mostly in long shots that frame the imaginative sets and high ceilings, each static shot is meticulously composed with such symmetry and balance that, even though Die Nibelungen takes the viewer through a mythical fantasia,...

Sketches of the upcoming Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical's costumes have been revealed for the first time.

Set and costume designer Mark Thompson told Vogue: "Costume design sketches aren't usually something I do, but it was actually really nice to work with children. There are certain requirements of any costume - the cast members need to be able to dance easily. Things are altered as rehearsals go on."

See the drawings of Charlie and Grandpa Joe, along with the Gloop, the Bucket, the Teevee and the Salt families, below.

The West End musical, directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes, will star Olivier and Tony Award-winning Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka and the cast will also include Nigel Planer as Grandpa Joe, 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.

Sam Mendes's stage production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has premiered its first trailer.

The musical - based on Roald Dahl's classic children's novel - will star Douglas Hodge as eccentric factory owner Willy Wonka, with Nigel Planer as Grandpa Joe, 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.

The above trailer shows crowds gathering outside the musical's venue, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, as golden tickets and purple smoke erupt from its chimneys.

Warner Bros Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and producer Kevin McCormick are behind the stage show. David Greig penned the adaptation, while March Shaiman provided music and lyrics alongside Scott Wittman.

The musical marks Skyfall director Mendes's first stage production since The Vertical Hour on Broadway in 2006.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has also added...

Sam Mendes has spoken about his upcoming musical production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The director, who turned down a return to the Bond franchise to instead focus on his theatre work, was interviewed alongside lyricist and composer Marc Shaiman, lyricist Scott Wittman and writer David Greig.

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.

Douglas Hodge stars as Willy Wonka, with Nigel Planer as Grandpa Joe, 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.

Set and costume design...

Skyfall's Sam Mendes has spoken about his upcoming musical production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The director, who turned down a return to the Bond franchise to instead focus on his theatre work, was interviewed alongside composer Marc Shaiman, lyricist Scott Wittman and writer David Greig.

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.

Douglas Hodge stars as Willy Wonka, with Nigel Planer as Grandpa Joe, 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.

Set and costume design...

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is at work on a musical based on the events surrounding the 1963 Profumo Affair. Today, the Daily Mail has confirmed that Lloyd Webber will be leading a sing-through of the musical's score with Alexander Hanson as Stephen Ward and Hal Fowler as Profumo. Joining them will be Iris Roberts as Christine Keeler, and Carly Bawden as Mandy Rice Davies.

Hollywood actor Darwin Shaw is playing skilled swordsman Will Scarlett, one of Robin Hood's band of outlaws, in a new production at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-on-Avon.

Darwin, pictured above in rehearsals, is among the cast of The Heart of Robin Hood, which is now previewing at the theatre and opens on December 1. It will run until January 7, 2012.

Darwin, a former surgeon, has appeared in TV shows including London's Burning, Wire in the Blood and Holby City and has also been in several big-screen blockbusters.

He played Fisher in Bond fllm Casino Royale, Asoka in video game adaptation Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and Matai Shang in John Carter, the upcoming Disney adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' novel about a Civil War soldier transported to Mars. John Carter is released on March 9, 2012.

Directed by Gisli Örn Gardarsson, The Heart of Robin Hood is written by Royal...