19 Jun 2012 01:56:06
Producers are to bring a new stage musical version of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to the West End next summer.
Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes will return to theatre for the first time since the culmination of his transatlantic Bridge Project to direct the production, which will officially open at the London Palladium in June 2013 after a short preview period. Tickets will go on general sale from October.
Though this will be the book's first major theatrical outing, Dahl's novels have spawned a number of stage adaptations over the years. The most successful so far is the RSC's Olivier award-winning production of Matilda, currently playing at the Cambridge theatre before it transfers to Broadway next year.
The long-rumoured musical, officially announced today, will include new songs by Hairspray's co-composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The Scottish playwright David Greig will write the book, in a move that echoes Dennis Kelly's contribution to Matilda (alongside comedian Tim Minchin).
Casting has not yet been announced, but there will surely be particular interest in the role of madcap candyman Willy Wonka. The master of sweets was played by Johnny Depp in Tim Burton's 2005 film, which reinvented the character after Gene Wilder's gentle onscreen portrayal of 1971.
The London Palladium's current incumbent, The Wizard of Oz, will close on 2 September and, as yet, nothing has been announced to fill the nine-month gap in programming.
