Charlie And The Chocolate Factory World Premiere Report

Tonight THN were invited to the red carpet for the world premiere of the brand new West End musical of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The production is being helmed by Academy Award winning director Sam Mendes and the stars were out in force to show their support at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is adapted from the book by Roald Dahl and tells the story of Charlie Bucket; an impoverished boy who cannot even afford a bar of chocolate. When he wins a golden ticket and the chance to enter the weird and wonderful Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory he can’t wait to taste the sweets and delights he’s always dreamed of. However, beyond the gates of the factory lies darker magic than Charlie had bargained for and he realises that behind the magic of the chocolate lies shadowy chocolatier Willy Wonka and his mysterious ways.

We managed to catch up with Jessica Raine whilst we were at the premiere. She’s currently starring in BBC’s CALL THE MIDWIFE as newly qualified midwife Jenny Lee who worked in deprived areas in East London in the 1950’s.

THN: Hi Jessica, lovely to see you. Can you tell us what your favourite Roald Dahl book is?

Jessica: Ummm I’d have to go with ‘The Witches’.

THN: What have you seen recently in the West End that you have enjoyed?

Jessica: I’ve actually just seen ‘The Night Alive’ at the Donmar Warehouse; its incredible and I think their press night is this week. It’s a really special piece.

THN: What are you up to at the moment?

Jessica: I’m filming the third series of CALL THE MIDWIFE and then I’m going to be going to the Donmar to play Beatie in ‘Roots’. The character in the production at the Donmar actually has a really strong Norfolk accent and I’m going to be doing two jobs at the same time so I’m really hoping Jenny Lee doesn’t suddenly come out in a farmers accent!

THN: Have you performed at the Donmar before?

Jessica: No, never, and it’s one of my favourite theatres so I’m so excited about it!

THN: You work alongside Miranda Hart in CALL THE MIDWIFE, have you ever thought about a comedy role?

Jessica: I’d love to do some comedy but I just don’t know when it is going to happen! The year is pretty booked up so hopefully some time next year!

THN: Do you socalise with the cast of CALL THE MIDWIFE?

Jessica: No! We are stuck in the middle of nowhere and our days of filming are twelve hour days and then you’ve got to get all the make-up off! I really wish there was a pub just round the corner so we could all just have a drink together

THN: What’s your dream role to play on stage?

Jessica: The one I’m about to play actually. I’m terrified but really excited at the same time. It’s a really really good role!

We also caught up with Andrew Scott, who plays Jim Moriarty in TV series SHERLOCK and got his thoughts on the second series and the ending that had many fans shocked.

THN: When you got the script and you were filming, it wasn’t too long ago now, did you guess how it had happened?

Andrew: No, I was surprised

THN: How has it been filming with Benedict?

Andrew: It’s been fantastic yeah, it’s been absolutely fantastic. I think SHERLOCK has been a total joy for everybody; it’s changed everybody’s lives, everyone who was involved in it. I don’t think anybody expected it to be such an international hit the way that it has so we are all thrilled with it!

THN: Martin Freeman said it can “go on forever”… can you see it in 20 years time?

Andrew: Yeah, well I suppose because we all started young; younger than the news related to the characters then I suppose we could.

THN: Are you excited about tonight?

Andrew: I’m really excited about tonight; I’ve worked with the guy playing Willy Wonka and Sam Mendes is directing so I can’t wait!

THN: Were you a fan of the stories as a child? Why do you think it is kids still love Roald Dahl and his stories?

Andrew: I loved them! Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake stories. I think it’s loved because he doesn’t patronize the kids; he writes adults stories for children and I think it’s really theatrical stuff so I think it’s going to lend itself very well to tonight!

THN: Do you think every Roald Dahl musical now is going to have to compare itself to ‘Matilda’? Is that the benchmark?

Andrew: Well it sets a very high benchmark no doubt about it. I think because Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly put heir own stamp on it; each one needs to be the theatre-makers version so I think that they probably will but I’m sure these guys have done it.

Bill Bailey, no stranger to the stage himself, also stopped to have a chat about the musical.

THN: What’s your favourite Roald Dahl book?

Bill: It’s a toss up between ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and ‘Matilda’. Both of them are so faultless. I haven’t seen ‘Matilda’ yet, I’ve been away on tour so I haven’t had a chance.

THN: Do you have a Roald Dahl character in mind that you would love to play?

Bill: Um, Willy Wonka is a pretty good character to play! And there’s no age limit on Willy Wonka.

THN: What scenes from the book are you excited to see how they’ve done it in the show?

Bill: I love all the stuff in the factory when it starts to get really dark, it’s extraordinarily dark really but done with such surreal imagination that kids get swept up in it. I think i’s influenced a whole bunch of children’s writing because it showed that kids writing doesn’t have to be so sugary sweet where everything is fine in the end. Things can happen, there can be a bit of darkness, a bit of sour to the sweet.

THN: What have you seen on the West End that you’ve enjoyed?

Bill: I don’t get a chance to see very much but I really enjoyed ‘Shrek’; that was fun. We came here to watch that and it was really good fun. I think it’s difficult sometimes to see how you are going to realise something for the stage, you need to get an essence of what the show is about and I think they really nailed it.

THN: And are there any other children’s books that you’d love to see on the stage?

Bill: We are big fans of ‘Mr Gum’ and I would love to see that on the stage because that is hilarious.

THN: Would you want a role in it?

Bill: Yes I would! I would be Mr Gum.

Finally we caught up with Matthew Morrison, who has performed in shows such as ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show‘ and ‘Hairspray‘ and currently starring in Fox’s GLEE.

THN: How do you think that the West End compares to Broadway?

Matthew: I don’t know, I’ve never seen a West End Show! No I have, I’m kidding. I think it’s just the theatre size, typically it’s a smaller theatre here which I think makes for a more intimate theatre experience which I love.

THN: ‘Matilda’ has done so well on Broadway, what is it about British musicals that is making them do so well in the States?

Matthew: I think it depends on the musical, and some aren’t doing well. ‘Matilda’ I haven’t seen yet but its’s great to see his books being performed live on stage and if it’s good material it will stand on it’s own.

THN: What do you think it is about Roald Dahl that makes him so popular for the stage?

Matthew: I think the darkness; the sense of innocence in his children and going on an adventure; every kid wants to have that adventure!

‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ opens June 25th at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. We’ve seen the show and you’ll be able to read our review in the coming days. In the meantime book your tickets here – you won’t want to miss out!