Kayleen Nguema, Isaac Sugden, Amelia Minto and Noah Walton will share the role of Charlie Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Musical at Leeds Playhouse and on tour. Picture: Anthony Robling
Leeds Playhouse has unveiled the four young northern actors chosen to share the role of Charlie Bucket in the eagerly anticipated new production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical when it makes its debut at Leeds Playhouse this Christmas ahead of a UK and Ireland tour in 2023.
Already hard at work with the production’s director, the Playhouse’s artistic director James Brining, in preparation for rehearsals, the foursome are: Amelia Minto, Isaac Sugden, Kayleen Nguema and Noah Walton.
Commenting on their casting:
Amelia Minto, 12, from Roundhay in Leeds, said: “I’m delighted to be performing in my hometown alongside so many talented people, and very excited to be playing one of the first female versions of Charlie Bucket. I’m really looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully, I’ll also get to eat a real Wonka bar!”
Isaac Sugden, 11, from Wakefield, said: “I’m sure Charlie is a dream role for many children so I feel very lucky to be given this opportunity and it’s such an exciting jumpstart to my acting career!”
Kayleen Nguema, 11, from Stockport, said: “I’m really excited to be part of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical because it’s one of my favourite books. There are lots of fun songs that I enjoy – I can’t wait to sing them on stage. I’m really proud to be playing this character because Charlie is so kind and caring.”
Noah Walton, 12, from Stockton on Tees, said: “The first ever West End show I saw was Charlie and The Chocolate Factory – The Musical. I was only six years old. This is when I fell in love with the show and with musical theatre. To be playing the role of Charlie Bucket and joining the awesome cast is a dream come true.”
Director Brining added: “It’s wonderful to be able to welcome four such exciting young actors to the Playhouse and to begin working with them on this incredible production. Their vibrancy and enthusiasm is already bringing such brilliant energy to the rehearsal room, which will be enhanced even further in the weeks to come when they begin working with the amazing Gareth Snook as Willy Wonka and the rest of the superb cast.
“An open call-out resulted in hundreds of youngsters from across the North attending workshop auditions for the role of Charlie Bucket. After a number of recall sessions we eventually chose our four Charlies, all of whom share a great range of skills but also bring their own individual and unique character to the role.
“We’re thrilled to be able to introduce everyone to Amelia, Isaac, Kayleen and Noah. Charlie Bucket is an iconic character, loved by generations of children since the 60s and seeing what each of these talented and highly committed young people are bringing to the role is truly inspiring. Charlie through their eyes is opening up all kinds of exciting new possibilities. I can’t wait to share what we’re creating with audiences this winter. They’re going to be delighted by the delicious festive treat we have in store for them.”
The Playhouse worked with leading Leeds-based casting directors Keston & Keston to find the talented quartet to play the youngster who finds the Golden Ticket that opens the door to a magical world. The foursome will share the title role across the 13-week run in Leeds from 18 November 2022 until 28 January 2023.
Presented by Neal Street Productions and Playful Productions, the Leeds Playhouse Production will debut at the Leeds Playhouse, with the young stars appearing alongside the previously announced Gareth Snook (The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Les Misérables, Palace Theatre, Sunset Boulevard/Made in Dagenham, Adelphi Theatre, Aspects of Love, Prince of Wales Theatre, My Fair Lady, Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Assassins/Company, Donmar Warehouse and Noel Coward Theatre) as the charismatic confectioner, Willy Wonka.
Following the Leeds run, 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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