Jack Shalloo News

The West End is getting a new Willy Wonka. Taking over for Olivier and Tony Award-winning actor Douglas Hodge in Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be fellow Olivier-winner Alex Jennings, according to the Daily Mail. Directed by Sam Mendes, the production opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 25 June 2013 and recently extended through May 20, 2015. Hodge's last performance is set for May 17, with Jennings taking over May 19, 2014.

Applications are now open for five 'Golden Ticket' week-long, paid work experience placements on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which will provide five people with a unique insight into the working world of theatre. What's more, at the end of the week, the most promising candidate will be rewarded with a life-changing three-month paid placement as production intern, working alongside some of the most experienced people in the business.

Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory today announced that it is extending its run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane until 20 May 2015. The new booking period will go on sale on 7 February 2014.

Last week (Monday 28th October to Saturday 2nd November 2013) Roald Dahl's' Charlie and the Chocolate Factory broke the West End record for the highest reported weekly gross sales. Over the course of the nine show week almost 20,000 people saw the musical at Theatre Royal Drury Lane achieving a record value of £1,062,606. This figure also breaks the show's own Drury Lane record set in August 2013. Since the box office opened in October 2012 the show has taken £21million in ticket sales and is now booking through to November 2014.

The hit West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, announced today that it has extended its booking period by six months until 1 November 2014. The show had previously been booking until 31 May 2014. The production, which has so far been seen by almost 300,000 people since it began previews in May 2013, is extending its run due to popular demand, releasing almost 400,000 extra tickets.

Douglas Hodge stars as Willy Wonka in the brand-new production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London. Directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, the story is brought to life with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman (Grammy winners for Hairspray; Smash), with a book by award-winning playwright and adaptor David Greig (The Bacchae; Tintin In Tibet). The shows opened last night, June 25 and you can check out photos from the opening night curtain call and after party below!

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, the highly anticipated West End musical starring Olivier and Tony Award winner Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka, begins tonight, May 22, 2013. Opening night is set for June 25.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, the highly anticipated West End musical starring Olivier and Tony Award winner Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka, has been postponed. The first two previews - scheduled for May 17 and 18, respectively - have been cancelled and performances will now begin May 22 instead of May 23.

According to the Daily Mail, Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will begin previews on May 17 instead of May 18 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Opening night is still set for June 25. Directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will star Olivier and Tony Award-winning Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka. Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the story is brought to life with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman (Grammy winners for Hairspray; Smash), with a book by award-winning playwright and adaptor David Greig (The Bacchae; Tintin In Tibet).

Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 25 June 2013. Directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will star Olivier and Tony Award-winning Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka. Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the story is brought to life with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman (Grammy winners for Hairspray; Smash), with a book by award-winning playwright and adaptor David Greig (The Bacchae; Tintin In Tibet). Click below to watch the show's creative team talk about the writing process!

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and Kevin McCormick's production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 25th June 2013, directed by Sam Mendes. In the videos below, Mendes introduces the show and takes you inside the set design for this whimsical production!

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and Kevin McCormick today announced further casting for Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 25th June 2013, directed by Sam Mendes.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Nigel Planer and Myra Sands will play Grandpa Joe and Grandma Georgina in the West End's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, joining leading man Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka. Previews begin May 18 at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, leading up to a June 25 opening.

Perfect Pitch has released a concept album of LIFT, a new British musical by Craig Adams and Ian Watson. This recording, now available to buy. It features West End names including Louise Dearman, Michael Xavier, Jennifer Tierney, Paul Ayres, Julie Atherton and Jack Shalloo.

Perfect Pitch will be releasing a concept album of LIFT, a new British musical by Craig Adams and Ian Watson. This recording, which will be available to buy from Thursday May 31st, features West End names including Louise Dearman, Michael Xavier, Jennifer Tierney, Paul Ayres, Julie Atherton and Jack Shalloo.

Present Theatre presents Dominic Taylor's new play, STOP SEARCH, from tonight April 27 till May 26 at the Catford Broadway Theatre. The show is directed by Thierry Harcourt and designed by Libby Watson with lighting by Andrew May and Consultant Paule Constable. The score was written by Daniel Adeyemi and Jermaine Opara.

Stop Search, a hard-hitting drama, exploring the contentious and widespread use of stop and search practices disproportionately targeting young black men in the UK, will run in the Broadway Theatre, Catford, London from 27th April to 26th May.