Official: CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY to Play Theatre Royal, Drury Lane; Begins May 18

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and Kevin McCormick today announced that their production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will now open at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in June 2013. Previews start on 18 May 2013. The production was originally slated to run at the London Palladium.  

The new stage musical will be directed by Sam Mendes, with a book by David Greig and new songs from Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

The theatre currently houses SHREK, which will close in February 2013.

Set and costume design will be by Mark Thompson with choreography by Peter Darling.  Other members of the creative team include: Doug Besterman (orchestrations); Nicholas Skilbeck (Music Director); Paul Pyant (Lighting Designer); Paul Arditti (Sound Designer) and Jon Driscoll (Video and Projection Designer).

The mysterious Willy Wonka is opening his Chocolate Factory for just one day, and for Charlie Bucket it promises to be a mouth-watering chance to feast his eyes on sweets beyond his wildest imagination.  Academy Award-winning film and theatre director Sam Mendes will bring Roald Dahl's much-loved classic to life in this world premiere stage production.

Tickets will go on sale to the public in October 2012.

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