Star-studded Wonka production filming at Brockley theatre
Locals and residents have spotted production lorries, caravans and crew members at the Rivoli Ballroom in Crofton Park this week.
One netizen tweeted: “Lunchtime walk distractions, one of about 20 trucks here due to filming at the lovely Rivoli Ballroom for new #Wonka film #croftonpark.”
The Warner Bros production will star Timothée Chalamet as a young Willy Wonka, set before 2005’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and prior to the stories that author Roald Dahl had written.
After filming in Lyme Regis, Bath and Warner Bros Studios Leavesden, the Hollywood blockbuster is filming in Brockley’s Rivoli Ballroom.
Though Chalamet is in London, it is unconfirmed if he will be in the ballroom scenes.
The rest of Wonka’s cast include big British names like Olivia Colman, Matt Lucas, Sally Hawkins and Rowan Atkinson; as well as US stars like Keegan-Michael Key and Rich Fulcher.
The 1950s venue is the only one of its kind in London, famed for its original interior and fittings like velvet curtains, chandeliers and oversized chinese lanterns.
The Rivoli’s authentic interior has also attracted other productions like BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, The Muppets and The Avengers; along with music videos and performances with the likes of Florence and the Machine and the White Stripes.
The musical fantasy film’s official release date is 17 March 2023, and is produced by David Heyman who produced all eight Harry Potter movies.
Tree-planting campaign to commemorate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Tower Hamlets
The Queen’s Green Canopy’s first project will be unveiled on Saturday at Furze Green in Tower Hamlets, London.
Organisers behind the campaign said they hope it will bring together the local community living in the area, which has one of the lowest tree canopy cover densities in the capital.
The Queen’s Green Canopy was created as a “fitting way” to mark the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The canopy will be made up of 17 jubilee trees and is just one of the projects brought by the Queen’s Green Canopy and Trees for Cities, who are planning more projects across the UK.
During her reign, the Queen has planted more than 1,500 trees all over the world.
Earlier this year, she joined the Prince of Wales to plant trees in the grounds of Windsor.
In a video message to launch the initiative, Charles urged people to join him and said: “It is absolutely vital that more of the right species of trees are planted, in the right places, and that more woodlands, avenues, hedgerows and hedgerow trees and urban planting schemes are established, whilst ensuring that we also protect and sustain what we already have.
“Whether you are an individual hoping to plant a single sapling in your garden, a school or community group planting a tree, a council, charity or business intending to plant a whole avenue of trees or a farmer looking to create new hedgerows, everyone across the country can get involved.”
Zaha back for Palace after short illness
Wilfried Zaha will return for Crystal Palace when they host Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Ivory Coast international missed Monday’s 2-2 draw at Arsenal with illness, but was back in training on Wednesday and is set to start against the Magpies.
Ebere Eze and Nathan Ferguson (both Achilles) remain absent. The former has stepped up his recovery but manager Patrick Vieira believes the playmaker is still a “couple of weeks away” from being in contention having been out since May.
Newcastle interim boss Graeme Jones will be without midfielder Jonjo Shelvey through suspension following his dismissal against Tottenham, which proved the last game in charge for head coach Steve Bruce.
