[Ad-gifted] Few stories have captured the imagination of audiences quite like Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Filled with unforgettable characters, magical inventions and timeless lessons about kindness and family, it remains a firm favourite across generations. Stage Productions‘ latest staging at The Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, brings Roald Dahl’s beloved tale to life through Joel Montague‘s direction with impressive energy, colourful visuals and a talented cast.
This energetic musical adventure offers plenty of laughter, wonder and heart for theatre-goers of all ages.
So keep on reading to find out what we at Yeah Lifestyle thought about the show.
What We thought About Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
There is something special about seeing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory brought to life on the stage of the Regent Theatre. Attending with a friend who is a huge fan of the film, we both expected to find ourselves surrounded by excited youngsters. However, upon arriving, we were pleasantly surprised to see a theatre filled with adults as well as children. It quickly became clear that Roald Dahl’s beloved story continues to hold a magical appeal far beyond childhood. Decades after its creation, the tale of Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka still captivates audiences of all ages, proving that its charm is truly timeless.
At the heart of the production is a standout performance from Shay Wright, who played Charlie Bucket. Carrying the emotional weight of the story is no small task, but Wright does so with remarkable confidence. His portrayal perfectly balances Charlie’s innocence, kindness and quiet determination, making him instantly likeable from the moment he appears on stage. His vocals are strong as his stage presence. Opposite him, Sean Clark-Wilkinson delivers a captivating Willy Wonka. Rather than leaning too heavily into eccentricity, Clark-Wilkinson showcases the Wonka in a playful yet mysterious manner.
The supporting cast deserves considerable praise. The Bucket family scenes are genuinely touching, grounding the fantastical story in real emotion. Frank McGregor as Grandpa Joe brings warmth and humour, creating a believable and affectionate relationship with Charlie that becomes the emotional backbone of the production. Across the board, the ensemble works tirelessly to create Dahl’s strange and magical world, moving seamlessly between scenes and helping maintain the show’s impressive pace.
One aspect of the production that felt slightly disappointing was the decision not to cast children in several of the principal child roles. While the actors portraying Veruca Salt (Libby Robinson), Violet Beauregarde (Harriet Mabe), Mike Teavee (Elliot Durham) and Augustus Gloop (George Broad) were excellent and delivered their performances exceptionally well, I felt that using children as per the original movie would have made these iconic characters stand out even better. Especially given the fact that Shay Wright played Charlie to perfection.
Visually, the production is a triumph. Directed and Choreographed by Joel Montague, the show makes excellent use of the theatre’s stage, with inventive staging and colourful costumes transporting audiences directly into Wonka’s extraordinary world. The chocolate factory sequences are particularly effective, filled with vibrant lighting, imaginative design and plenty of theatrical surprises. While many audience members will be familiar with the story from the famous film adaptations, this musical successfully creates its own identity through clever stagecraft and inventive choreography…. making it different.
Musically, the production is equally strong. The songs by Marc Shaiman combines numbers from the beloved film with newer musical numbers that expand the characters and story. The choreography is energetic throughout, particularly during the scenes involving the ‘oompa loompas’.
One of the production’s greatest strengths is its ability to balance spectacle with genuine heart. While there are plenty of dazzling visual moments and comedic set pieces and the favourites of the night has to be George Broad (Augustus Gloop) and Natalie Kent (Mrs Gloop) who kept the crowd tickled.
Overall, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a delightful evening of family entertainment with plenty of golden-ticket magic. Whether you’re revisiting a childhood favourite or introducing a new generation to Dahl’s timeless story, this is a scrumdiddlyumptious theatrical treat is well worth seeing.
Cast
Willy Wonka – Sean Clark Wilkinson
Charlie Bucket – Shay Wright/Rosie Sargeant (Shay Wright played the part when we reviewed the show)
Gradpa Jo – Frank McGregor
Mrs Bucket – Phoebe Cooke
Veruca Salt – Libby Robinson
Mr Salt – Chris Ridge
Mike Teavee – Elliot Durham
Mrs Teavee – Hannah Baddeley
Augustus Gloop – George Broad
Mrs Gloop – Natalie Kent
Violet Beauregarde – Harriet Mabe
Mr Beauregarde – Daniel Jones
Cherry – Becky Williamson
Jerry – Luke Dipple
Grandpa George – Chris Barker
Grandma Josephine – Sam Lesniak
Grandma Georgina – Rebecca Taylor
Ensemble – Holly Bettany, Grace Bosworth, Jake Dale, Scarlett Draycott, Poppy-Ann Farrow, Kylee Jones, Angel Jude, Amelia Martin, Georgia-Mai Rowley, Craig E. Scott-Patrick
Creatives
Directed & Choreographed Joel Montague
Musical Director Jonathan Cliffe
Associate Choreographer Grace Forrester
Associate Director Luke Dipple
Lighting Designer Kate Shield
Sound Designer Tom Maurice
Book by David Greig based on the novel by ROALD DAHL
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman
How much are the tickets to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Musical?
Tickets are priced from £19.38 to £80.10. For Groups (10 or more), call their dedicated Groups team on 020 7206 1174 or email groupsales@atgtickets.com. A transaction charge applies to online/phone bookings.
How do I book tickets to watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Musical?
Tickets are now on sale online by visiting ATG’s website here. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or over. The accompanying adult must be seated with the under 16.
How long is the show for and what are the timings?
The show will be running until Saturday, 27 June 2026. Evening shows are at 7pm and there will be a matinee show at 2pm on Saturday.
About Regent Theatre
The Regent Theatre is a theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Constructed in 1929 as a cinema, it is one of several theatres in the city centre and one of two owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group. The building was converted for full-time use as a theatre in 1999, and since then has hosted a number of shows and musicals. The theatre is also the northern base for the Glyndebourne Touring Opera.
Tips / Information
- Ample public car park spaces are available near to the Regent Theatre. The nearby John Street car park is the closest and it closes at 11.30pm while the Pottery Centre carpark charges a fixed rate of £1.50 (after 6pm) and this carpark closes at 11pm
- Accessibility: On arrival at the theatre there are nine steps leading from the front doors to the foyer. There is a small lift suitable for wheelchairs and buggies
- There is lift access to all levels from the foyer (with an audible announcer)
- There is an infra-red sound enhancement system in the auditorium
- Guide, hearing and other working dogs are welcome in all parts of the theatre, and water is provided for them on request
- Accessible toilets are available
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Photo Credit: Regent Theatre
* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.
14 comments
This looks really good! They did an excellent job of capturing the vibe of the book. I’d love to see this one.
They did indeed, such a great cast
This looks like a great production. I’ve seen the film before, and after reading your review, I’d love to go and see this show!
It is a fabulous show to watch especially if you are a fan of the film
What a wonderful review! Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has always been a favorite, and this production sounds absolutely magical. I would love to see this show and experience all the music, creativity, and classic Wonka charm on stage
They are touring so hope you do get to see them perform live
Wow. They really captured the dark whimsy of the story and Willy Wonka quite well. I mean, just the pictures are delightfully technicolor and dark and the same time.
It was a fabulous production and one worth watching for sure
omg this is like one of the best stories ever…I’ve never seen it as a play. Thank you so much for your amazing review. I am looking forward to watching it.
You are so welcome and glad you enjoyed reading my review of it
I am hearing about the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory play for the first time probably because I don’t live in England but love its storyline. Watching it with my extended family sounds like a fabulous idea and I’ll do so when I come back to visit them.
The show is currently touring so hope you do get to see the show when you come to England
I do also feel that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is for all ages! Great to hear how lovely this preformance was.
It was lovely to watch the show with such talented cast and wonderful set design