Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Logo

 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the new musical of Roald Dahl’s novel is heading to Theatre Royal, Dury Lane this month. Directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes with a book by David Greig and starring Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka we’re all a little excited here at A Younger Theatre. With previews starting on 17th May, and the official opening of 25th June, we’re getting close enough to almost taste the chocolate ourselves. So to wet your appetite (and who can blame us with all that chocolate?) A Younger Theatre presents some of the costume designs of set and costume designer, Mark Thompson.

Thompson’s recent designs include She Stoops to Conquer (National Theatre), Faith Machine (Royal Court) and One Man, Two Guvnors (National Theatre) to name but a few. Although not familiar with Dahl’s work Thompson has worked from Greig’s writing, “I would say that my job always is to actually use what is called ‘the book’ as my main springboard. I think we have changed some of the invention of Dahl’s book quite a lot, and in some ways I suppose we have to. Whereas a book can conjure up different minds, we are creating something that’s three dimensional, and is very specific. It’s the difference between radio plays and the magic of theatre.”

We all remember the recent film adaption by Tim Burton featuring the scarily absorbing Johnny Depp, so we can’t wait to see the ‘three dimensional’ work of Thompson and the rest of the creative team behind Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Enough of us blubbering with excitement though, here are some of the concept designs for Thompson’s costumes.

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You can find out more information and buy tickets for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on the Official Charlie and the Chocolate Factory website.