Sam Mendes’ highly anticipated musical Charlie And The Chocolate Factory has cancelled its first two previews due to unforeseen technical problems.
The production was due to begin previews this Friday, but the show’s producers have been forced to reschedule performances on 17 and 18 May following problems in the delivery of a piece of stage engineering by a contractor.
Speaking about the delay in previewing the show, Ryan Petersen, spokesman for the production, said: “The whole production team is frustrated by this unforeseen delay in what has otherwise been a very smooth and exciting rehearsal period. We’re sorry to inconvenience people who have booked for these first previews, but are putting on an extra performance next Wednesday evening [22 May] which will become our first public preview.”
Ticket holders for the cancelled performances will be contacted by the ticket agent through which they purchased their tickets and an alternative date to see the show at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane will be arranged. As well as the additional preview on 22 May, another extra performance will be scheduled during a forthcoming holiday period.
Featuring a book by playwright David Greig and music and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, the world premiere of the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s famous tale is one of the most anticipated productions to open in 2013.
Starring Douglas Hodge as the eccentric confectioner Willy Wonka, the story tells the tale of Charlie Bucket and his trip to Wonka’s mysterious factory. With ingenious stagecraft, a chocolate garden, an army of squirrels and the curiously peculiar Oompa-Loompas, the musical promises to be choc-full of fantastical treats.