Alex Jennings to Replace Douglas Hodge as 'Willy Wonka' in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, Beg. May 19
The West End is getting a new Willy Wonka. Taking over for Olivier and Tony Award-winning actor Douglas Hodge in Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be fellow Olivier-winner Alex Jennings, according to the Daily Mail. Directed by Sam Mendes, the production opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 25 June 2013 and recently extended through May 20, 2015. Hodge's last performance is set for May 17, with Jennings taking over May 19, 2014.
Applications for CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY's 'Golden Ticket' Program Now Being Accepted
Applications are now open for five 'Golden Ticket' week-long, paid work experience placements on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which will provide five people with a unique insight into the working world of theatre. What's more, at the end of the week, the most promising candidate will be rewarded with a life-changing three-month paid placement as production intern, working alongside some of the most experienced people in the business.
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Breaks West End Record for Highest Weekly Sales
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. 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.
West End's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Extends Thru Nov 2014
The hit West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, announced today that it has extended its booking period by six months until 1 November 2014. The show had previously been booking until 31 May 2014. The production, which has so far been seen by almost 300,000 people since it began previews in May 2013, is extending its run due to popular demand, releasing almost 400,000 extra tickets.
Andrew Keates Departs Landor Theatre
Award winning director, Andrew Keates will be departing Clapham's Landor Theatre, leaving the post of their theatre manager and artistic consultant. He will be developing newly formed and innovative theatre production company Arion Productions Ltd as its artistic director and founder as well as directing upcoming productions of Martin Sherman's ground-breaking play Passing By at the Finborough Theatre this September and returning to the Landor as a director for the world premiere of A Winter's Tale by Howard Goodall and Nick Stimson and developed by Keates in November 2012.
STAGE TUBE: New Cast and Video Released for West End's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - Jonathan Slinger, Kraig Thornber, Lara Denning & More
by Christina Mancuso - Mar 25, 2015