Theatre News

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory extends booking, passes a million tickets sold

The WhatsOnStage Award-winning musical is now booking until October 2015

Alex Jennings (Willy Wonka) and the cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Alex Jennings (Willy Wonka) and the cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
© Johan Persson

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has extended its booking period at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane to 31 October 2015.

The show, adapted from Roald Dahl's popular children's book and directed by Oscar-winner Sam Mendes, has also sold its one millionth ticket.

A number of special events are planned for this month. On Saturday, Roald Dahl's birthday (13 September), more than 50 volunteers, including members of the show's production team, will take part in a sponsored skydive dressed as Oompa-Loompas.

The dive will be in aid of the Roald Dahl Marvellous Children's Charity, for whom the production has already raised over £30,000 to date.

On 15 September the cast will take part in 'Puffin Virtually Live', a national live-streamed event for schoolchildren which will see more than half a million kids across the country join in a sing-a-long of "Pure Imagination". It will be led by Alex Jennings, who plays Willy Wonka, and the TV presenter Helen Skelton.

The new booking period will go on sale on 19 September 2014.