With the opening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical coming ever closer Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tickets are beginning to sell more as the show in London is eagerly awaited.
The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical has been written by David Greig, with music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Based on Roald Dahl’s children’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the show in London will make its West End world premiere in 2013.
The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical is based on the 1964 children’s novel by Roald Dahl. It promises to take London’s West End by storm much as previous well-loved family shows, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins, did when they opened in Theatreland. The show was first mooted to be coming to London at a presentation in New York, with a read-through of the first act carried out as long ago as May 2010.
The show in London was officially confirmed at a launch on 18 June 2012, when the producers announced that Charlie & the Chocolate Factory tickets would be on sale from October for the London Palladium. This announcement proved somewhat premature, with the alteration of theatre venue to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. However, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tickets did indeed go on sale from October but for this equally grand and equally prestigious venue.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is being directed by award-winning director Sam Mendes, whose most recent credits include the latest sensational Bond film with Daniel Craig, Skyfall. Choreography is by Peter Darling, orchestrations by Doug Besterman and set design by Mark Thompson.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory director Sam Mendes
The songs have been taken from the 1971 movie adaptation starring Gene Wilder, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, with new additional songs written by collaborators Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, responsible for the musical Hairspray and NBC televison series Smash.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is previewing at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London from 18th May 2013 and will have its opening World Premiere Gala night on 25th June 2013.
Award-winning actor Douglas Hodge is starring in the role of Willy Wonka.
Nigel Planer, famous as hippy Neil from the Young Ones, plays Grandpa Joe. Nigel’s first major theatre role was understudying David Essex as Che Guevara in the original West End theatre production of Evita. Nigel was also in the original London cast of Chicago, as Amos Hart. He was a member of the original West End cast of Ben Elton’s Queen musical We Will Rock You as Pop at the Dominion Theatre, London. Amongst Nigel’s most recent theatre credits include starring as the Wizard in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, London.
Renowned West End theatre actor and musical star Clive Carter plays Mr. Salt. Clive is a prolific theatre actor having been a leading star in both Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera as well as We Will Rock You. Curiously, like Planer he has also played the Wizard in Wicked, in his most recent musical role.
The cast list announced so far includes the principal characters listed below. Charlie and the other child parts have been cast following open auditions and several child actors will play each part in rotation.
Willy Wonka Douglas Hodge
Grandpa Joe Nigel Planer
Mr. Salt Clive Carter
Mrs. Gloop Jasna Ivir
Mr. Beauregarde Paul J Medford
Mrs. Teavee Iris Roberts
Grandma Georgina Myra Sands
Mrs. Bucket Alex Clatworthy
Mrs. Pratchett Michelle Bishop
Cherry Kate Graham
Mr. Bucket Jack Shalloo
Tickets for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are now on sale at Shows in London.
