Charlie & The Chocolate Factory – Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre
Lichfield Garrick
Tuesday 23rd September 2025
By : Nigel Gambles
Photography by : LMYT
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory The Musical opened on the West End in 2013 where it ran for 3.5 years but it took another 10 years for the show to tour the UK. The show is based on the Roald Dahl book which tells of Charlie Bucket who spends his day dreaming of chocolate. When Willy Wonka announces a chance for 5 children to win a tour around the famous chocolate factory, it sends the world into a frenzy but with Charlie’s family struggling to afford just one chocolate bar it looks unlikely that they would win, let alone the chance to win the biggest prize of them all.
The show is one of two halves. Act 1 focuses on the hunt for the winning tickets, Charlie’s daily struggles and his relationship with his Mother and Grandparents also the burgeoning friendship with the chocolate shop owner. As each child that wins a ticket they get a song that introduces their character with an introduction from reporters. Charlie finding the ticket seemed a little anti-climatic and the magnitude of this event glossed over swiftly. The second act however is where the magic begins and we meet Willy Wonka and venture into the Chocolate Factory itself. The use of a giant projection screen really helps us visualise the factory and the interior along with some fantastic props (I won’t spoil it).
The cast are all very strong. Zach Andrews plays Willy Wonka and did so with a good mix of eccentric and genius, giving a strong performance beyond his years, his vocals strong and beautifully delivered. Brandon Westaway plays Charlie with fantastic enthusiasm, again his singing was excellent. Zephan Rowe took on the role of Grandpa Joe who gets out of bed for the first time in years to take Charlie on the trip of a lifetime. Zephan portrayed Grandpa Joe with a huge amount of heart and had the audience rooting for him from the start. I also enjoyed the portrayal of Mrs Bucket, played by Eleanor Foulds. My favourites had to be the Oompa Loompa’s fantastic make up and energy, oh and their poor knees you’ll see what I mean
The rest of the golden ticket winners Eliza Bullock as Veruca Salt frightening , Leo Stubbington as Mike Teevee and Isabella Hamilton as Violet Beaurearde (make sure you don’t miss the bit where she balloons in size) all play their roles with enthusiasm and skill.
The rest of the cast play their parts with such energy and enthusiasm and vocally fantastic you’ll be tired just watching them.
This is a great show professionally staged directed and choreographed with passion by Oliver Rowe and Jemma Tiso-Johnson and full credit must also go to the backstage team led by Matthew Garfield and to musical director and the orchestra led by Ian Stephenson.
