Sam Mendes will direct a new musical stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Charlie And The Chocolate Factory at the London Palladium next summer.
Due to open in June 2013, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory The Musical will feature a book by Scottish playwright David Greig and new songs from the writing duo behind hit musicals including Hairspray and Broadway’s Catch Me If You Can, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
Dahl’s story of a boy who wins the chance to visit the mysterious Willy Wonka’s factory has famously been adapted for the screen, first in the classic 1971 film and then in Tim Burton’s 2005 hit starring Johnny Depp. Academy Award-winner Mendes will bring the magical story of Oompa-Loompas, strange sweets and spoilt children to the stage with the help of an Olivier Award-winning creative team, with sets and costumes by designer Mark Thompson and choreography by Peter Darling, who has won the prestigious accolade twice for his work on other musicals featuring children, Billy Elliot The Musical and Matilda The Musical.
Mendes makes his return to the London stage following productions including the hit 1994 London Palladium hit version of Oliver!, and more recently The Tempest, The Cherry Orchard, A Winter’s Tale and Richard III, as part of the Old Vic theatre’s The Bridge Project, and Broadway hits Cabaret and The Vertical Hour. Best known for his hugely successful film career, which has seen him direct American Beauty, Road To Perdition, Revolutionary Road and the soon to be released 23rd James Bond film Skyfall, the director founded the much-lauded Donmar Warehouse in 1992.
A regular collaborator with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Greig’s previous work includes Midsummer, Dunsinane, Damascus, The Strange Undoing Of Prudencia Hart and Damascus.
Tickets for Charlie And The Chocolate Factory The Musical will go on sale in October.