Sydney has won a major bid to exclusively host the Australian premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a new musical based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall announced today.
15 March 2018The premiere production will open at the Capitol Theatre in 2019 and has been secured exclusively for Sydney by the NSW Government.
“Securing a major event like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a huge coup for NSW, drawing visitors from far and wide and boosting the State’s visitor economy,” Mr Marshall said.
“Musicals are a major driver of tourism – more than 76,000 overnight visitors are expected to travel to Sydney for the Australian premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, generating an estimated $37 million in visitor spend.
“The popularity of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is enduring and we’re thrilled to secure the Australian premiere of the latest stage adaptation exclusively for NSW.”
John Frost AM, Managing Director of Gordon Frost Organisation said, “Sydney has a huge treat in store next summer, and it’s a magical concoction ready to satisfy any sweet tooth looking for a golden ticket.”
“Filmgoers fell in love with Roald Dahl’s bewitching tale in the 1971 film with Gene Wilder, and again in the 2005 film with Johnny Depp. Now we can be enchanted by the story once again on stage. I’m thrilled to bring this captivating production to Australia for the first time. I fell in love with Charlie and Willy Wonka on Broadway last year, and can’t wait to share it with Australian audiences.”
The musical is based on the 1964 children’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, with book by David Greig, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
Songs from the original film including Pure Imagination, The Candy Man and I’ve Got a Golden Ticket feature alongside a new score from the songwriters of the musical Hairspray.
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