A golden ticket is waiting for one of the biggest names in British musical theatre, as a brand-new production prepares to bring Willy Wonka’s famous factory back to the London stage next summer.
Michael Ball will star as Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Musical, which will play a strictly limited season at the London Coliseum from 4 June until 18 September 2027, with a national press night set for 20 June.
The new production will include much-loved songs from the classic 1971 film, including Pure Imagination and The Candy Man, alongside the musical’s original score by Marc Shaiman, with lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
Nikolai Foster will direct the production, which will originate at Curve in Leicester before heading to London.
It’s another huge role for Ball after more than 40 years on stage, with his West End career stretching all the way back to creating Marius in the original production of Les Misérables.
He has since starred in shows including Hairspray and Sweeney Todd, winning Olivier Awards for both performances.
We’ll follow Charlie Bucket as he discovers his golden ticket and steps inside Wonka’s extraordinary factory, complete with Oompa-Loompas and plenty of familiar faces from Roald Dahl’s story.
Tickets go on sale Tuesday 29 September.
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