Smash hit Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Musical set to open at Milton Keynes Theatre

The eagerly anticipated West End and Broadway smash hit Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - The Musical, opens at Milton Keynes Theatre on February 9.

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical tells the devilishly delicious tale of young golden ticket winner Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectionary wizard Willy Wonka.

Featuring memorable songs from the iconic 1970s film including ‘The Candy Man’ and ‘Pure Imagination’ as well as a host of new numbers by the multi award-winning composer and lyricist of Hairspray and Mary Poppins Returns, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, this sensational musical is choc-full of fantastical treats to dazzle your senses taking you to a world of pure imagination.

Gareth Snook said he watched Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Willa Wonka on screen but was able to put his own spin on the character. He said: “I watched the films when they came out, and I’ve revisited them again for research purposes, but I approached my interpretation with an open mind.

"Wonka is a mercurial character. He’s everything you want him to be, which is great fun to play, despite his cynicism and how sinister he is at times. You might say he’s as layered as a gobstopper.”

When Charlie wins a golden ticket to the weird and wonderful Wonka Chocolate Factory, it’s a chance of a lifetime to feast on the sweets they’ve always dreamed of. But beyond the gates astonishment awaits, as down the sugary corridors and amongst the incredible and edible delights, the five lucky winners discover not everything is as sweet as it seems.

Joining Gareth Snook as ‘Willy Wonka’ will be Kazmin Borrer as ‘Veruca Salt’, Teddy Hinde as ‘Mike Teavee’, Marisha Morgan as ‘Violet Beauregarde’ and Robin Simoes da Silva as ‘Augustus Gloop’.

The young actors playing ‘Charlie Bucket’ on tour are Amelia Minto, Kayleen Nguema, Isaac Sugden and Noah Walton.

They join Michael D’Cruze as ‘Grandpa Joe’, Christopher Howell as ‘Grandpa George’, Kate Milner Evans as ‘Grandma Josephine’, Julie Mullins as ‘Grandma Georgina’ and Leonie Spilsbury as ‘Mrs Bucket’.

The cast is completed by 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.

Based on the novel by Roald Dahl and the Warner Bros film, Charlie and Chocolate Factory - The Musical has a book by David Greig, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Mark Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

It is directed by James Brining, musical supervision and orchestrations are by David Shrubsole, set and costume design is by Simon Higlett, with choreography by Emily Jane Boyle. Musical direction is by Ellen Campbell, lighting design by Tim Mitchell, sound design by Mike Walker, video design by Simon Wainwright and illusions by Chris Fisher.

The production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - The Musical is on from Thursday, February 9 – Sunday, March 5, with tickets available here