Caro Newling News

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, today trod the boards in the capital's West End as world-renowned shows and big international stars lent their support to his campaign to remind the world that London is open to creativity and talent.

Casting has been announced for the West End transfer of James Graham's critically acclaimed political drama THIS HOUSE. Phil Daniels, Kevin Doyle, David Hounslow, Ed Hughes, Lauren O'Neil, Nathaniel Parker, Steffan Rhodri, Malcolm Sinclair and Sarah Woodward lead the cast which also includes Christopher Godwin, Peter Landi, Matthew Pigeon, Giles Taylor, Tony Turner and Orlando Wells.

The shortlists have been announced for The Imagination Awards, a new competition launched by the award-winning West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, to encourage creativity among inventive youngsters and budding theatre designers. Entries were invited from young inventors aged 5-15, who were asked to invent a solution to a problem in the world around them, and from theatre designers aged 13-21.

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Langley Park Productions and Neal Street Productions announced today that two-time Tony Award winner Christian Borle (Something Rotten, Peter and the Starcatcher) will originate the role of Willy Wonka in the Broadway premiere of Roald Dahl's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY which begins performances in March 2017, at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street).

James Graham's critically acclaimed political drama THIS HOUSE will transfer to the Garrick Theatre, following its upcoming run at Chichester's Minerva Theatre.

Broadway's got the golden ticket! Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Langley Park Productions and Neal Street Productions announced that Roald Dahl's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY will open its gates on Broadway in the spring of 2017, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien and choreographed by Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse. Roald Dahl's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY has music by Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award winner Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award winners Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, and a book by Artistic Director of Edinburgh's Royal Lyceum theatre David Greig. Design team, Broadway theater and dates to be announced soon.

The Society of London Theatre's 2015 Box Office figures, published today (Thursday 25 February 2016), show another strong and robust year for London theatre in 2015.  Please note that comparisons with 2014 are slightly difficult as 2015 figures are based on a 52 week year, whereas 2014 was a 53 week reporting year. 

Renowned educationalist Sir Ken Robinson will be the Patron of The Imagination Awards, a competition launched by the award-winning West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, to champion creativity and inspire the next generation of theatre makers. The awards open for entries today, and close on Monday 6th June. www.imaginationawards.com

The award-winning West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, mounts a special relaxed performance at 6pm tonight 19 January 2016.

The hit West End musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, based on the book by Roald Dahl, and directed by Sam Mendes, is marking Roald Dahl Day on 13 September by releasing new pictures of the Oompa-Loompas on the loose at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Check them out below!

The award-winning West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, will mount a special relaxed performance at 6pm on Tuesday 19 January 2016.

Producers of SHREK THE MUSICAL today announced that the larger-than-life production will coming to the King's Theatre tonight 29 April Sunday 17 May 2015, direct from London, where it was seen live on stage by nearly a million people.

The nominations for the Olivier Awards 2015 with MasterCard - the most prestigious event in the UK's theatrical calendar - were announced today (Monday 9 March) by actors James McAvoy and Lesley Manville with the full list of nominations available below.

The nominations for the Olivier Awards 2015 with MasterCard will be announced by internationally acclaimed actors LesleyManville and James McAvoy on Monday 9 March at Rosewood London, and simultaneously live streamed to audiences worldwide at 12:00 GMT (08:00 USA EDT) at www.olivierawards.com

The acclaimed actor, Kevin Spacey, will be presented with a Special Award at the Olivier Awards 2015 with MasterCard ceremony on Sunday 12 April at London's Royal Opera House. The award will acknowledge the actor, director and producer's extraordinary contribution to The Old Vic and to British theatre.

The larger-than-life musical will be at The Marlowe Theatre in February 2015 on its first tour of the UK.

Coming direct from London, where it was seen live on stage by nearly a million people, the UK and Ireland tour of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane production of SHREK THE MUSICAL is directed by Nigel Harman who starred as Lord Farquaad in the west end production, winning him the 2012 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

Discount tickets go on general sale tomorrow for Get Into London Theatre, the annual ticket promotion that allows the public to see some of the best shows in London for a fraction of the normal cost. From 1 January to 13 February 2015, 70 shows will offer tickets from as little as £10, so everyone has the chance to experience the magic of London theatre.