Exclusive: Michael Ball to return to the West End in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Michael Ball will play Willy Wonka in a new production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory next summer.

Based on Roald Dahl’s novel and the Warner Bros film, the musical follows Charlie Bucket after he finds a golden ticket giving him access to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory – alongside Grandpa Joe and fellow ticket winners Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde and Mike Teavee.

It has a book by David Greig, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The score also incorporates Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley’s songs “Pure Imagination”, “The Candy Man” and “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket” from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. It was last seen in the West End in 2017, having spent three years playing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in a production directed by Sam Mendes.

The production will originate at Curve in Leicester before transferring to the West End, with Curve artistic director Nikolai Foster directing. A national press night is scheduled for Sunday 20 June 2027. It will run at the London Coliseum from 4 June to 18 September 2027, with previews until 12 June.

The production will have choreography by Ebony Molina, set design by Leslie Travers, costume design by Katrina Lindsey, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Adam Fisher and video design by George Reeve. Campbell Young Associates will provide wigs, hair and make-up design, with illusion design by Chris Fisher, puppet design by Rachael Canning and prop supervision by Marcus Hall Props.

Stephen Brooker is musical supervisor, with orchestration adaptations by George Dyer and musical direction by Isaac McCullough. Casting is by Olivia Laydon for Jill Green Casting, while Jordan Isaac is associate director, Ollie Durrant is associate sound designer and Dale White is associate choreographer. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is produced by ROYO, Fiery Angel, Gavin Kalin Productions and Curve.

Michael Ball will perform as Willy Wonka at the London Coliseum only (with Curve casting already confirmed). An alternate for the role will be announced at a later date.

Tickets start at £20, and go on sale on Tuesday 29 September.