Gallery: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

The King’s School production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which transported audiences into the magical and mysterious world of Willy Wonka in the Vanbrugh Theatre, is celebrating a successful four-night run that was marked by standing ovations and rave reviews. 

Director Julia Williams shared the audiences’ delight as the talented young cast brought to life the musical version of Roald Dahl’s famous story. 

She said: “Working with our amazing young cast, who are too many to name individually, has been an extraordinary experience. Their enthusiasm, commitment, and sheer talent have truly brought this magical story to life over the past few months.

“Our journey has been filled with both learning and laughter. The cast has danced, sung, and acted their hearts out, embodying the whimsical spirit of Roald Dahl’s beloved tale. Their hard work and dedication are evident in every scene, every song, and every dance number.”

Taking place inside a magical chocolate factory, the show was not without its technical challenges – creating an invisible corridor, imagining a chocolate river and blowing up one of the pupils to name just a few – but the production team brought innovation and creativity to every scene. 

Mrs Williams continues: “I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our fantastic production and creative teams, whose ingenuity and hard work behind the scenes have made the seemingly impossible possible.”

On Tuesday, 15 October, The show opened to a full house and enthusiastic audience that included Headmaster, George Hartley. 

He said: “What a treat it’s been to watch this fantastic performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, remembering my own Grandpa Joe 45 years ago! Bravo all for a heart-lifting and brilliant show.”

His positive review was echoed by many other members of audience:

“Fantastic show and the great thing was that the cast were all having a great time and enjoying themselves”

“Amazing show, a really talented cast”

“Well done everyone! What a great show!”

“It was absolutely brilliant! Thank you to everyone involved for working so hard! What talent on that stage! Brilliant! Really enjoyed it!”

“What an extraordinary production with an extraordinarily talented cast. Mr Dahl himself would have been impressed. Impressive stuff!”

Click on the image below to scroll the full gallery. Full cast and crew are listed underneath the gallery. 

 

Main Cast

Willy Wonka – Freddie Hughes / Olly Herbert

Charlie – Ella McNabb / Luca Simpson / Harry Icke / Mollie Howdon

Mrs Bucket – Prisha Roy Mahapatra / Lucy Scott

Grandpa Joe – George Powner / Josh Hornby

Grandma Josephine – Esme Potter / Lucy Caldwell

Grandpa George – Yessine Benefissa / Jahaan Butt

Grandma Georgina – Sofia Smith

Violet – Ava Kerruish-Jones / Eva Greaves

Verucca – Ava Ekmann / Ava Gordon

Mike Teavee – Sonny Lee-Jackson / Ralph Whittingham

Augustus Gloop – Joseph Penson / Angus Steele 

Mr Beauregarde – Dev Varma

Mr Salt – Ewan Holt / Charlie Creer

Mrs Teavee – Harriet Saul / Hansika Senthil Kumar

Mrs Gloop – Sophia Jenkins / Sasha Bates

Cherry – Amelia Gregory / Agatha Simmons

Jerry – Shreyas Bapatla / Jonathan Das

Mrs Green – Imogen Pugh/ Bella Augustin-Wood

 

Ensemble

Sophie Bibby

Imogen Carway

Matias Garcia Valencia

Clara Holladay

Hilda Mae Kenworthy

Matilda Kitchen

Lana Lu

Rosie Rothwell

Shreedha Palakurthi

Isla Pryce

Charlotte Walsh

Romilly Walsh

 

Vanbrugh Theatre Team

Deputy Stage Manager – Max Cheetham

Assistant Stage Manager – Rhys Jones

Stage crew – Clare Howdon, Shirley Davis, Delyth Roberts, Neeve Dilworth

Sound Operator – Alan Phoenix-Holland

Lighting Operator – Max Cheetham

Follow Spot Operators – Harry Moffat & Alice Ecob

 

Creatives and Production Team

Director – Julia Williams

Assistant Director/VFX Design – Alan Phoenix-Holland

Musical Director – Joe Mann

Choreographer – Shirley Davis

Producers – Delyth Roberts & Clare Howdon

Technical Team – Jake Warne, Rhys Van Embden, Alan Phoenix-Holland

Production Assistant and Programme Design – Julia Flaherty

Props Design – Lorraine Black, Kate Dewbery, Rhys Van Embden