Charlie and the Chocolate factory starts tonight at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London
London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane has undergone a £2 million plus refurbishment prior to the opening of the new musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Theatre impresario and owner of the famous theatre in London, Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber had grown tired of the gaudy interior and has long wanted to return the theatre to its former glories. With the closing of Shrek earlier in the year it has given Lord Lloyd Webber the perfect opportunity, although the refurbishment was a race against time with the impending opening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the musical.
Lord Lloyd-Webber said: “It was driving me crazy every time I came to the theatre. It was all red wallpaper, red carpets”.
The new interior is now one of the best not only in London but the country as one of Roald Dahl’s most famous books, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory makes its world premiere as a stage musical at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane on the 22nd May 2013 and expectations are high.
The show in London stars Tony Award winner Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka with comedy and theatre legend, Nigel Planer as Grandpa Joe. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical is directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes, fresh from his success with the latest James Bond movie Skyfall. The musical features a book by David Greig and the music is provided by Hairspray’s Tony and Grammy award-winning songwriting team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
Scott Whittmann and Marc Shaiman lyricists and composers of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical in London
Marc and Scott are excited about their latest show, “It’s fabulous!” Shaiman and Wittman cried in unison.
“The whole thing is unbelievable,” Shaiman continued. “We sort of just sit there and can’t believe what we’re seeing. Luckily, when we did the run-throughs in the rehearsal hall, the show itself worked without any of the bells and whistles.”
“And there are a lot of bells and whistles.” Wittman added. “The second act is like a theme park ride. It’s really unbelievable.”
When asked about how Douglas Hodge in the iconic role of Willy Wonka, Wittman said, “He’s going to be great.”
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the musical officially opens in London’s West End at the gala press night on the 25th June 2013. Tickets for all performances are now on sale, although some Saturday shows have already sold out.
Book tickets for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory West End show
