Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to end run

Producers of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - The Musical, which is currently running at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane have announced that the show has extended into its fourth and final year in the West End, with tickets now on sale to 7 January 2017.

The musical, directed by Sam Mendes, opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 25 June 2013, following previews from 18 May 2013. It has since been seen by 1.8 million people and currently sits alongside 'Miss Saigon' and '42nd Street' in the top three longest-running productions of the last 50 years at the historic venue.

Producers also announced that a Broadway production will open in New York in the 2016-2017 season and tickets for a UK-wide tour will go on sale next year.

No exact closing date has been announced, and it is not known if the production will end on the booking date of 7 Jan 2017 or later in 2017.

As of 25 April 2016 the leading cast will include: Jonathan Slinger (Willy Wonka), Barry James (Grandpa Joe), Ross Dawes (Mr Salt), Josefina Gabrielle (Mrs Teavee), Jasna Ivir (Mrs Gloop), Paul J Medford (Mr Beauregarde), Lara Denning (Mrs Bucket), Roni Page (Grandma Josephine), Myra Sands (Grandma Georgina), Kraig Thornber (Grandpa George) who will remain in their roles. Chris Grahamson will join the cast in the role of 'Mr Bucket'.

New ensemble members will include Alexander Bartles, Lisa Bridge, Melanie Brown, Helen Colby, Ashley Cooper, Alastair Crosswell, Katrina Dix, Ryan Gover, Rebecca Hodge, Peter Houston, Thomas Inge, Mikey Jay-Heath, Joanne McShane, Ben Redfern, Ainsley Hall Ricketts, and Johnathan Tweedie with Andy Brady, Georgia Carling, Andrew Carthy, Sam Lathwood, Lucinda Lawrence, Steven Serlin, Robert Tregoning, Tara Verloop and Michelle White remaining with the production.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - The Musical has book by David Greig and new songs from Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Designs & costumes by Mark Thompson, choreography by Peter Darling, lighting by Paul Pyant and sound by Paul Arditti.

"The mysterious Willy Wonka is opening his Chocolate Factory for just one day, and for Charlie Bucket it promises to be a mouth-watering chance to feast his eyes on sweets beyond his wildest imagination."

The show is produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and Kevin McCormick.

Read our interview with current Willy Wonka Jonathan Slinger by clicking here.