Boris Johnson praises Wonka show for special needs children

West End hit Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the latest production to put on a “relaxed” performance for children with special needs.

The performances allow children with special sensory and communication needs to experience theatre in an environment where it is accepted that audience members will make noises or walk around. The one-off performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Tuesday January 19.

To publicise the event and Mousetrap Theatre Projects, the charity behind the initiative, Boris Johnson and a group of children from Hillingdon Manor School joined the cast on stage.

The Mayor said: “I think Mousetrap is an absolutely wonderful initiative because theatre is the heart of this city, attracting 22 million people annually. And yet, there are kids who grew up in London who have never seen a West End show. If you think back to the first Elizabethan age, theatre was something absolutely everyone enjoyed.”

Last year Mousetrap arranged and substantially paid for more than 16,500 young people and their families to see London shows, typically paying no more than £5 a ticket.

Theatre newcomer Persia, 12, from Hillingdon Manor, said: “Seeing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was my best day ever. Now I want to go to Matilda with my mum and dad.”