September will be a month to remember for the record-breaking and award-winning West End production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes. In the month that sees the book mark its 50th anniversary, and Roald Dahl Day celebrate Dahl’s work, life and legacy, the production has sold its one millionth ticket, and today producers have announced an extension to its booking period, until 31 October 2015.
As part of the month’s celebrations, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will host Puffin Virtually Live on Monday 15 September. Puffin Virtually Live is a national live-streamed event for schoolchildren which will see more than half a million kids across the country join in a sing-a-long of Pure Imagination, led from the Theatre Royal Drury Lane by Alex Jennings, who plays Willy Wonka, and the TV presenter and Roald Dahl fan Helen Skelton.
On Roald Dahl Day itself (Roald Dahl’s birthday, 13 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.
As part of Penguin’s activities to mark the 50th anniversary of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the show’s director Sam Mendes has written the foreword to the new Penguin Classics edition of the novel, and Lucy Mangan’s new book ‘Inside Charlie’s Chocolate Factory’ has been released by Penguin and is on sale in all good bookshops.
The new booking period will go on sale on 19 September 2014, booking until 31 October 2015.
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.
