Christian Borle to star in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Broadway!

It as been announced that two-time Tony winner Christian Borle will star as Willy Wonka in the Broadway production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Borle is currently on Broadway in Something Rotten!, and will star in the Broadway revival of Falsettos this autumn before Charlie and the Chocolate Factory opens next spring. 

With new direction and choreography by Jack O’Brien and Joshua Bergasse, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will begin previews in New York in March 2017 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (currently home to Finding Neverland).

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory announces West End closure

It has been announced that Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, is entering its "fourth and final year" at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has broken house records at Theatre Royal Drury Lane where it has been seen by over 1.8 million people since it opened in June 2013.

The show currently sits alongside Miss Saigon and 42nd Street in the top three longest-running productions of the last 50 years at the historic venue, one of London’s largest theatres.

As previously announced, a Broadway production will open in New York in the 2016-2017 season whilst producers have confirmed that tickets for a UK tour will go on sale next year. The West End production is booking to Saturday 7th January 2017; it hasn't been confirmed whether this is the closing date.

GOSSIP: Further details revealed for Broadway transfer of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

As previously reported by West End Frame, the West End production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is transferring to Broadway for the 2016-17 season.

Last month it was announced that Sam Mendes, who directed the show in London, will not direct the Broadway transfer. 

Having opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in July 2013, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has book by David Greig as well as music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Now the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has confirmed that Jack O’Brien - who worked with Shaiman and Wittman on Hairspray - will direct the musical on Broadway, as previously rumored.

Bamigboye has also revealed further details about the Broadway transfer; Josh Bergasse is replacing Peter Darling as choreographer as Darling is "too busy" working on the premiere of Groundhog Day at the Old Vic.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory transferring to Broadway with new director

It has been revealed that the West End production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is transferring to Broadway for the 2016-17 season. 

Having opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in July 2013, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has book by David Greig as well as music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Sam Mendes, who directed the show in London, will not direct the Broadway transfer. Whilst a new director is yet to be announced, Broadway.com have reported that Jack O’Brien may helm the production, reuniting  him with Shaiman and Wittman who he worked with on Hairspray.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory extends booking to celebrate 1,000th performance

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has extended its West End booking period to 3rd December 2016 with tickets on sale now.

Tonight (12th October), the production of will celebrate its 1,000th performance at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane where it opened in June 2013.

Directed by Sam Mendes, the cast is currently led by Jonathan Slinger as Willy Wonka. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory won two Olivier awards in April 2014, and has broken records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane where it has been seen by over 1,600,000.

Open auditions announced for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

It has been announced that open auditions are being held for the West End production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Next month, performers are invited to attend a day of auditions for the roles of the Oompa-Loompas for the 2016-17 West End company. 

Auditions will be held on Monday 26th October 2015 at the Dominion Theatre. Auditions for female performers start at 10am and for male performers at 2pm.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory announces relaxed performance

It has been announced that the West End production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl will stage a special relaxed performance at 6pm on Tuesday 19 January 2016.

Presented in association with Mousetrap Theatre Projects, the relaxed performance is aimed at families with one or more children with special needs. It is designed to provide an opportunity for people with autism, learning difficulties or other sensory and communication needs, who require a more relaxed environment, to enjoy the show.

Special provisions made for a relaxed performance include:

• Adjustments to sound and lighting
• Free support resources to help families prepare for the visit
• Trained volunteers and staff to help at the event
• A relaxed and supportive atmosphere on the day
• Subsidised ticket cost

PICS: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory celebrates second birthday with gala performance

Last night (25th June) the West End production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory marked its second birthday with a gala performance and party for cast, crew and special guests. Check out images from the evening below (click image to enlarge).

Zachary Loonie (one of the four young actors who plays Charlie Bucket) led the curtain call at the end of the show with Jonathan Slinger (Willy Wonka) and fellow cast members, before all attending a party at Sway Bar Holborn. 

Special guests included Killian Donnelly and Matt Henry who are about to star in the West End premiere of Kinky Boots. Also in attendance were Kara Tointon, Hannah Tointon, Tom Pellereau, Indira Varma and Claudie Blakely. 

Sneak peek at... the new cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

First production images have been released featuring the new West End cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory who join the show from tonight (4th May 2015). Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

Directed by Sam Mendes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is currently booking at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane to 4th June 2016. The show has been seen by 1.25 million people since it opened in June 2013.

Jonathan Slinger plays Willy Wonka alongside Kraig Thornber (Grandpa George), Lara Denning (Mrs Bucket) and Mark Oxtoby (Jerry). Originating company members Ross Dawes and Derek Hagen take over as Mr Salt and Mr Bucket respectively.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory announces new West End cast

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has announced its new West End cast.

Starring alongside the previously announced Jonathan Slinger as Willy Wonka from 4th May 2015 will be Kraig Thornber (Grandpa George), Lara Denning (Mrs Bucket) and Mark Oxtoby (Jerry), among other new names. Originating company members Ross Dawes and Derek Hagen will take over the roles of Mr Salt and Mr Bucket respectively.

Almost two-thirds of the current cast will be staying with the show for another year in Wonka’s factory, including Myra Sands, Roni Page, Jasna Ivir, Ross Dawes, Paul J. Medford, Derek Hagen, Kate Graham and Joe Allen, who have all been with the show since it opened in Spring 2013.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory releases new cast portraits

The West End production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has released new portraits of Alex Jennings as Willy Wonka, with the five lucky golden-ticket winners who win a tour of his chocolate factory – Charlie Bucket, Augustus Gloop, Violet Beauregarde, Veruca Salt and Mike Teavee. Check out the images below (click image to enlarge).

Directed by Sam Mendes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has broken multiple records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it has been seen by over more than 1.25 million people since it opened in June 2013. The show is currently taking bookings until 4th June 2016.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, a book by David Greig, set and costume designs by Mark Thompson and choreography by Peter Darling. Jonathan Slinger takes over as Willy Wonka from 4th May 2015.

Jonathan Slinger to star as Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

It has been confirmed that Jonathan Slinger will star as Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The actor recently starred in Urinetown (St James/Apollo).

Slinger will play his first performance on Monday 4th May 2015 and, according to the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, is contracted to star in the show until April 2016. He takes over from Alex Jennings.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has broken multiple records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it has been seen by over 1.25 million people since it opened in June 2013. It is currently taking bookings until 4th June 2016.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory extends West End booking to June 2016

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has extended its booking period at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane to 4th June 2016. The new booking period will go on sale on 9th February 2015.

Producers also revealed that Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory broke the record for the highest weekly gross sales at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane for a third time, taking more than £1.1 million in the week commencing 29th December 2014.

That week saw the 2,200 seat theatre – one of the largest in the West End - 100% full, for every single performance. The production celebrated its 700th performance in the West End on Saturday 24th January 2015.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory extends booking to October 2015

Producers of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory have announced that the show has extended its booking period at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane until Saturday 31st October 2015. Since opening in May 2013, the show has sold over a million tickets.

On Roald Dahl Day (13th September) more than 50 volunteers, including members of the show’s production team, will take part in a sponsored skydive dressed as Oompa-Loompas – Wonka’s magical team of helpers. The dive will be in aid of the Roald Dahl Marvellous Children’s Charity, the production’s principal charitable partnership, for whom the production has already raised over £30,000 to date.

Guest Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

Reviewed on Friday 18th April 2014

In an ever changing West End world, where shows seem to be coming and going faster than you can blink, many continue to question what makes an audience return to a show over and over again – what is that special ingredient?

A love story? A quest for a brighter tomorrow? A surprise ending? Or is it a celebrity performer in a leading role? For me, there is one show that doesn’t need any of these features – as it already has one special ingredient of its own.

MAGIC.

Barry James, Josefina Gabrielle, Richard Dempsey & Kirsty Malpass to join Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Josefina Gabrielle

Barry James, Josefina Gabrielle, Richard Dempsey and Kirsty Malpass will join the previously announced Alex Jennings in the West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

This morning Charlie and the Chocolate Factory received seven Olivier Award nominations including:

• MasterCard Best New Musical
• Best Actor in a Musical (Douglas Hodge)
• Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Nigel Planer)
• Best Theatre Choreographer (Peter Darling)
• Best Set Design (Mark Thompson)
• Best Costume Design (Mark Thompson)
• Best Lighting Design (Paul Pyant)

New cast member Josefina Gabrielle was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical, for her performance in Merrily We Roll Along. The winners will be announced at the Royal Opera House on Sunday 13th April 2014.

Alex Jennings to replace Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has revealed that Alex Jennings will replace Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka in Roald Dahl’s Charlie And The Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. 

Hodge will reportedly play his final performance on Saturday 17th May before Jennings begins his run on Monday 19th May 2014. Bamigboye also claims that Barry James is in talks about replacing Nigel Planer as Grandpa Joe, but states that the deal has not yet been finalised.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory extends to May 2015 and sets new West End record

The West End production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factoryhas extended its run at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane to 20th May 2015. The new booking period will go on sale on 7th February 2014.

Producers have also announced that the musical has broken the West End theatre record for the highest reported weekly gross sales for a second time, taking a total of £1,080,260.00 in the week commencing 30th December 2013. The show set the previous record of £1,062,606.00 in the week commencing 28th October 2013.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory broke box office record during half term

Last week (Monday 28th October to Saturday 2nd November 2013) Roald Dahl's' Charlie and the Chocolate Factory broke the West End record for the highest reported weekly gross sales. 

Over the course of the nine show week almost 20,000 people saw the musical at Theatre Royal Drury Lane achieving a record value of £1,062,606.  The previous reported nine performance record of £1,002,885 was achieved by Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in December 2010.

This figure also breaks the show's own Drury Lane record set in August 2013. Since the box office opened in October 2012 the show has taken £21million in ticket sales and is now booking through to November 2014.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory extends booking period and releases cast recording

It has been announced that Sam Mendes' West End production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has extended its booking period to 1st November 2014 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

The production, which has so far been seen by almost 300,000 people since it began previews in May 2013, has released over 400,000 extra tickets. 

A cast recording has also been released today with music by Marc Shaiman and and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman. The album features the entire cast, led by Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka, and includes every number from the show.