Leeds Playhouse has announced the full company for the venue’s new production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical.
As previously announced, the touring production will star Gareth Snook (The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Les Misérables, Palace Theatre, Sunset Boulevard /Made in Dagenham, Adelphi Theatre) as the charismatic confectioner, Willy Wonka.
The Golden Ticket-holders Veruca Salt, Mike Teavee, Violet Beauregarde and Augustus Gloop will be played by Kazmin Borrer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, UK tour/film), Teddy Hinde (Bird Brigade, The Other Palace), Marisha Morgan (Top Boy, Netflix) and Robin Samões Da Silva (Bedknobs and Broomsticks, UK tour).
Michael D’Cruze (Grace: Not Dead Enough, ITV) will play Grandpa Joe, alongside Christopher Howell (The Witches of Eastwick in Concert, Sondheim Theatre) as Grandpa George, Kate Milner Evans (Brief Encounter, Watermill Theatre) as Grandma Josephine and Julie Mullins (Neighbours) as Grandma Georgina, with Leonie Spilsbury (Heartstopper, Netflix) as Mrs Bucket.
The company also includes Lydia Bradd, Darcie Brown, Josh Donovan, Ewan Gillies, Lucy Hutchinson, Patrick King, Jodie Knight, Jonathan Macdonald, Victoria Nicol, Katherine Picar, Lewis Rae, Emma Robotham-Hunt, Ty-Reece Stewart and Natasha Volley.
Presented by Neal Street Productions ND Playful Productions, and directed by Leeds Playhouse’s artistic director James Brining, the Leeds Playhouse Production is due to premiere in Leeds this Christmas season ahead of a UK and Ireland tour in 2023.
As previously announced, the role of Charlie Bucket across the 13-week run in Leeds (18 November 2022 to 28 January 2023) will be shared by local youngsters Amelia Minto, Isaac Sugden, Kayleen Nguema and Noah Walton.
Commenting on the production Brining said: “We’re thrilled to have assembled such a fantastic cast and creative team for this new version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical in Leeds and for the UK tour. They are an exciting company that includes some brilliant fresh faces and rising stars with some hugely talented and experienced artists. I am really looking forward to working with them all in creating the world of this production.
“It is such a special story, loved by many generations, and we’re seeking to create a joyful, spectacular production for all. It’s a real privilege to have the opportunity to revisit the successful West End and Broadway versions and create a new production for audiences here in Leeds and on tour.”
Brining leads a creative team that includes: music supervisor and orchestrator David Shrubsole, set and costume designer Simon Higlett, choreographer Emily Jane Boyle, musical director Ellen Campbell, lighting designer Tim Mitchell, sound designer Mike Walker, video designer Simon Wainwright, illusions Chris Fisher, casting director Jim Arnold (Jim Arnold Casting), children’s casting director Emily and LJ (Keston & Keston), orchestral management Sylvia Addison (Music Solutions Limited), voice coach Eleanor Manners, associate director Priya Patel Appleby, associate choreographer Natasha Volley, associate video designer David Callanan, rehearsal pianist and children’s MD Jamie Noar, assistant director Karlene Wray and voice coach Eleanor Manners.
Following Leeds, the tour will launch at Milton Keynes Theatre from 9 February until 5 March 2023, before heading for His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen (15-26 March 2023), Edinburgh Playhouse (29 March-15 April 2023), Norwich Theatre Royal (19-29 April 2023), the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (3-20 May 2023), Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre (24 May-3 June 2023), Theatre Royal, Plymouth (7-18 June 2023), Manchester Palace Theatre (4-30 July 2023), Sunderland Empire (2-13 August 2023), Mayflower, Southampton (16 August-3 September 2023), Hull New Theatre (6-16 September 2023), Bristol Hippodrome (20 September-8 October 2023), Birmingham Hippodrome (17 October-5 November 2023) and Liverpool Empire (8-26 November 2023).
Inspired by Roald Dahl’s much-loved 1964 novel and featuring songs from the beloved 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical has a book by David Greig, music by Marc Shaiman, with lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The musical premiered in the West End in 2013 with a production directed by Sam Mendes and arrived on Broadway in 2017.
Angela Thomas
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