We've all found ourselves on the receiving end of customers' complaints about poor lighting, worn-down seats and shoddy wallpapers which are all, sadly, becoming a reality for many West End theatres as the years go by. Well, one man decided to do something about it.

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, creator of the musical Cats and owner of Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, has taken it upon himself to restore the theatre's interior, spending more than £2 million.

During his endeavor, Webber was considerably pressed for time, as renovations began shortly after Shrek the Musical closed earlier this year. All had to be done in time for the upcoming stage version debut of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, scheduled to open on the 22nd of May.

In his own words, Webber has said, "I'm very pleased about it. It's by far the most wonderful interior of its day, not just in London but in the country.

"It was driving me crazy every time I came to the theatre. It was all red wallpaper, red carpets. It's been very quick, it was worked out like a military campaign. We knew we had a short amount of time between Shrek and Charlie."

Book Charlie and the Chocolate Facotry tickets now!

 

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