West End's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Announces 'Golden Ticket' Work Placement Recipients

Following a demanding assessment day at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Friday 7th March, Ruth Blakey, Kayleigh Chapman, Jenny Milner, Erin Rankin and Lois Taviner have been offered a week-long 'Golden Ticket' paid work placement, working backstage on Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the seven-time Olivier Award-nominated musical.

The five recipients of the 'Golden Ticket' placements - shortlisted from over 600 applicants - start today, and will spend time with the lighting, sound, automation, wardrobe, wigs, make-up and stage management departments.

At the end of the week, the most promising candidate will be rewarded with a life-changing three-month paid placement as production intern on the show, working alongside some of the best practitioners in the business.

The five 'Golden Ticket' winners are Ruth Blakey, from Dover in Kent; Kayleigh Chapman, from Brinsworth near Rotherham; Jenny Milner, from Portslade in East Sussex; Erin Rankin, from Hornchurch in Essex; and Lois Taviner, from Cuddington in Cheshire.

The 'Golden Ticket' placements are part of Warner Bros. Creative Talent, a brand new programme of investment in skills and training for the UK creative industries.

This year marks the 50thanniversary of the publication of Roald Dahl's original book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Josh Berger, CBE, President and Managing Director, Warner Bros. UK, Ireland and Spain said: "Through Warner Bros. Creative Talent we support young people of all backgrounds, who would otherwise not have the chance to access the creative industries. We are delighted that with our first UK stage production, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, we are able to offer five talented people invaluable insight and experience in to this record-breaking musical and, we hope, their first step towards a career in theatre production."

Sam Mendes, CBE, Director, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory commented: "During the creation of Charlie, I was reminded of just how many highly skilled people are required to mount a production of that scale. We're excited to be supporting these 'Golden Ticket' opportunities and this investment in new British talent."