West End's CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Plays Special Relaxed Performance Today

The award-winning West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, mounts a special relaxed performance at 6pm tonight 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

The following resources will also be made available via www.mousetrap.org.uk to help families prepare for their trip:

• SEN Educational Resource Pack
• Visual Story booklet - detailing the journey to the theatre, and the experience once inside
• Visual Story video - following 'John' on the journey from his house to the theatre
• Guide for Carers: Lights, Sounds and Scary Bits
• Meet the Characters
• Travel and Parking guides

Tickets for the Relaxed Performance will range in price from £2.50 to £20.

Susan Whiddington, Director, Mousetrap Theatre Projects: "Mousetrap Theatre Projects is thrilled to offer families with young people with special needs the wonderful opportunity to attend a relaxed performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Over the years, we have had so many requests from families to see this fantastic musical and we know it will be a very special experience for all the families in the auditorium on 19th January."

Caro Newling, Director, Neal Street Productions: "This relaxed performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a great opportunity to share the world of this beautiful show with a new audience, and all of us are delighted to be working with Mousetrap Theatre Projects to make it happen."

Ticket applications must be made via a recognised Referring Organisation. See www.charlieandthechocolatefactory.com/charlieandthechocolatefactory-relaxed-performance.asp or www.mousetrap.org.uk or more information.

Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has quickly become one of the West End's most popular and successful stage musicals. It won two Olivier awards in April 2014, and has broken records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it has been seen by over 1,500,000 people since it opened in June 2013. It is currently taking bookings until 4 June 2016.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is directed by Sam Mendes. Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the wonder of the original story that has captivated the world for almost 50 years is brought to life with music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, a book by award-winning playwright and adaptor David Greig, set and costume designs by Mark Thompson and choreography by Peter Darling.

The Official Cast Recording album is available on Sony Records, on CD and download.

This world premiere musical is produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and Langley Park Productions.

Full cast: Jonathan Slinger, Barry James, Ross Dawes, Josefina Gabrielle, Jasna Ivir, Paul J. Medford, Lara Denning, Derek Hagen, Roni Page, Myra Sands, Kraig Thornber, Joe Allen, Meg Astin, Joel Baylis, Andy Brady, Simon Campbell, Georgia Carling, Andrew Carthy, Collette Coleman, Dan Cooke, Divine Cresswell, Billy Cullum, Connor Dowling, Kelly Edwards, Gemma Fuller, Kate Graham, Sam Lathwood, Lucinda Lawrence, Mark Oxtoby, Matthew Rowland, Rebecca Seale, Steven Serlin, Gregory Sims, Robert Tregoning, Tara Verloop, Michelle White, Mark Williamson.

For more, visit www.CharlieandtheChocolateFactory.com.