Sam Mendes' Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Musical to Play London Palladium

A musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is set to open at the West End’s London Palladium in June 2013. As previously announced, Sam Mendes will direct the musical, which features a score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and a book by David Greig. No casting has been announced.

Based on the 1964 children’s book of the same name, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the story of a boy and his grandfather who are granted admission into Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory. The book has been adapted into two major motion pictures: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory in 1971 starring Gene Wilder and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2005 starring Johnny Depp.

Mendes’ Broadway directing credits include Cabaret, The Blue Room, Closer and Gypsy. He is the former artistic director of London’s Donmar Warehouse. On film, Mendes has directed American Beauty, Away We Go, Jarhead, Road to Perdition and Revolutionary Road.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will feature set and costume design by Mark Thompson, choreography by Peter Darling, lighting design by Paul Pyant, sound design by Paul Arditti, orchestrations by Doug Besterman and video and projection design by Jon Driscoll.