What’s it all about?
This Dahl-icious tale is confection perfection. When reclusive chocolate-making mastermind Willy Wonka chooses to open his iconic factory to five golden ticket holders, Charlie, whose family lives in Gothic levels of poverty, is one of the lucky winners. Inside is a world of fantastical flavours, mouth-watering wonders and tasty terrors. Oh and a horde of unique helpers, the Oompa Loompas.
Casting coup
The top-hatted chocolatier has only been played by Olivier Award winners. Douglas Hodge created the sweet role as part of the production’s original cast before being replaced by the current owner of the soon-to-be-iconic purple tailcoat, triple Olivier winner Alex Jennings.
Fascinating fact
In 2014, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory past the one millionth audience member mark. If each of those theatregoers had eaten one chocolate from a tin of Roses, between them they would have worked their way through around 13,500 tins! Of course, they could also have shared one everlasting gobstopper instead.
Olivier Awards history
A newcomer to the West End in 2013, the show proved it was a Smartie when it was Boosted by seven nominations in 2014. It went home with a Double Decker win, picking up the awards for Best Lighting Design and Best Costume Design. No doubt they Revels-ed in the glory.
They say…
“The Oompas and I want nothing more than to bring joy, wonder and a little bit of wicked fun to the world. Now we ask you to step up and join our quest as the West End becomes gripped by the 2015 This Morning Audience Award. A vote for Charlie And The Chocolate Factory is a vote for pure imagination.” Willy Wonka
We say…
“Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination.” Okay, they say that too, but it’s true. Where else in the West End can you see giant dancing squirrels, an edible garden and a remarkable glass elevator with a special secret? It makes us happier than eating a giant Toblerone dipped in melted Dairy Milk but comes with none of the guilt.
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory is booking at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane until 4 June 2016. You can book tickets through us here.