Charlie and the Chocolate Factory cancels tour performance over heat concerns

The hit touring production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory cancelled a touring performance due to high temperatures, it has been confirmed.

The show, which also features young performers, is currently visiting locations across the UK and Ireland. Saturday’s performance in south London was, however, cancelled due to “outside temperatures in excess of 30 degrees, and its impact on working conditions on stage.”

The New Wimbledon Theatre added on social media: “We’ve been doing everything we can overnight and this morning in order to bring temperatures down, to try and put the show on today.” They went on to say that the heat “made it too hot for our staff and visiting company”, saying that safety was “paramount”.

Earlier this month, Broadway productions were forced to halt due to intense smog conditions.

The move was welcomed by those within the industry, with choreographer and director Philip Joel tweeting: “Understandably audiences will be disappointed but bravo Wimbledon for putting the cast and crew safety as a priority as working conditions are deemed unsafe! We wouldn’t ask other professions to work in those conditions so fantastic Wimbledon are taking a stance!”

The musical, which blends songs from the iconic 1971 film such as “The Candy Man” and “Pure Imagination” with new tunes by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, has a book by David Greig. It is directed by James Brining.

Read the statement in full: “Due to outside temperatures in excess of 30°C and its impact on working conditions on stage, we have reluctantly taken the decision to cancel today’s performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The safety of our staff and visiting company is of the utmost importance to us. We deeply apologise for any inconvenience caused. Your point of purchase will be in contact as soon as possible. The factory gates will open again soon.”