Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical – Milton Keynes Theatre and Touring

The cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical at the Milton Keynes Theatre and Touring. Picture: Johan Persson

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical continues at Milton Keynes Theatre until 5 March 2023 and then tours until 26 November 2023.

Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Enter the fantastical world of Willy Wonka with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical at Milton Keynes Theatre. The magical show is a treat for children and adults alike – perfectly timed to tie in with half-term for some light-hearted entertainment that will keep the family enraptured for a few hours.

Based on the much-loved classic by Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory follows our protagonist, the young Charlie Bucket (Noah Walton) as he seeks the positive in his poverty-stricken life. Opening with a set designed by Simon Higlett that instantly creates the fantastical and dreamlike world we’re familiar with from the book, we see Charlie creating useful inventions from the items he finds abandoned at the dump.

The set then reveals Charlie’s shack-like home, with his four grandparents (Michael D’Cruze, Christopher Howell, Kate Milner Evans, Victoria Nicol) chattering away from their bed in the loft of the property. We’re introduced to a family that has very little but is full of love.

With funny interdictions from the news reporter and his sidekick, the audience learns that the infamous Willy Wonka (Gareth Snook) is welcoming five lucky golden ticket winners into his mysterious chocolate factory, which has opened its doors after years of being closed. The world is in a frenzy, as people buy multiple chocolate bars in the hope of finding a ticket.

Throughout the first part, we meet the four winners, all equally grotesque, including Augustus Gloop (Robin Simões da Silva), Veruca Salt (Kazmin Borrer), Violet Beauregarde (Marisha Morgan) and Mike Teavee (Teddy Hinde). With Charlie’s family barely being able to afford food, any dream of him finding a golden ticket seems hopeless, but after a couple of failed attempts, fate befalls him and astounded he grasps the final ticket. As with all of Dahl’s creations, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory teaches vital moral lessons in right and wrong, with good always prevailing over evil.

After a somewhat long first act, we finally enter Wonka’s factory doors to be greeted by a weird and wonderful world, which is cleverly brought to life by the use of a screen that spans the entire floor to ceiling width of the back of the stage. As we venture through each of the astonishing rooms, meeting everything from chocolate rivers to giant squirrels, our villains each meet their sticky demise. We’re finally left with just Charlie, Grandad Joe and Mr Wonka, but will all of Charlie’s dreams come true?

The cast is phenomenal, from main characters to ensemble, but praise has to be given to Walton as Charlie and the captivating Snook as Willy Wonka, who both make the show a joy to watch. It’s also a delight to have beautiful songs like ‘Pure Imagination’ from Mel Stuart’s 1971 movie version included in the score from Tony Award-winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Every song is stunningly performed by the live orchestra, led by Ellen Campbell.

Overall, a fantastic night at the theatre (directed by James Brining), although I will say that at times it can be a little sinister, especially the oompa loompas, who look like robots instead of the friendly orange faces we’re familiar with – just something to be conscious of if you’re thinking of bringing very young children to the show.

Hannah Grimmette