Due to overwhelming ticket demand, Leicester’s Curve theatre has expanded its upcoming Made at Curve Christmas musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, while unveiling the full star-studded company bringing Roald Dahl’s beloved story to life.
The festive production will now enjoy an extended run, opening on Saturday 21 November 2026 and playing through Saturday 16 January 2027.
Local Leicestershire actor Jonny Fines leads the cast as the eccentric and mysterious chocolatier Willy Wonka. A familiar face to Curve audiences, Fines’ past credits at the venue include The Wizard of Oz, My Beautiful Laundrette, An Officer and a Gentleman – The Musical, and Grease, alongside screen appearances in The Jetty, EastEnders, and Coronation Street.
Key Production Details
Venue: Curve Theatre, Leicester
Dates: Saturday 21 November 2026 – Saturday 16 January 2027
Director: Nikolai Foster (Legally Blonde, The Sound of Music)
Choreographer: Ebony Molina
Set Designer: Leslie Travers | Costume Designer: Katrina Lindsay
Box Office: 0116 242 3595 / curveonline.co.uk
Meet the Cast
The Golden Ticket Winners & Wonka
Willy Wonka: Jonny Fines
Charlie Bucket: Shared by Lucas Kerr, Jett Moises, William Stafford, and Theo Wake
Violet Beauregarde: Serei Knight-Francis, Shamiso Nyamuda, and Tida Nyamuda
Mike Teavee: Kyrelle Lammy, Leo Hollingsworth, and Samuel Smith
Veruca Salt: Matilda Hennessy, Rose Jammeh, and Sophie Purnell
Augustus Gloop: Thomas Burton, George Consterdine, and Benjamin Dalton
The Adults & Family
Grandpa Joe: David-Michael Johnson (Starlight Express, We Will Rock You)
Mrs. Bucket: Molly Lynch (My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music)
Mr. Beauregarde: Lejaun Sheppard (Come From Away, Tina)
Mrs. Teavee: Rachel Izen (Billy Elliot, Kinky Boots)
Mr. Salt: Darren Bennett (Titanique, Grease)
Mrs. Gloop: Lizzie Bea (Sister Act, Hairspray)
Grandma Josephine: Michelle Cornelius | Grandma Georgina: Thea Jo Wolfe
Grandpa George: Samuel Sarpong-Broni | Jerry: Liam Doyle
Cherry: Sinead Kenny | Mrs. Green: Aisha Davis
The professional cast is backed by ensemble members Elsie Buckley, Ru Fisher, Liam McEvoy, Billy Medlin, and Hannah Nuttall, with Jordan Dixon, Rachel Jayne Picar, Joseph Craig, and Tori McDougall as swings. Completing the company is a Community Company of over 20 young local performers from across Leicestershire and the East Midlands.
Creative Team & Magical Spectacle
Directed by Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, the production features iconic songs including “Pure Imagination”, “The Candy Man”, and “The Oompa Loompa Song”.
The creative team features illusion design by Chris Fisher (Stranger Things: The First Shadow), puppet design by Rachael Canning (The Wizard of Oz), lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound by Adam Fisher, video by George Reeve, and wigs/makeup by Mark Marson for Campbell Young Associates. Musical supervision is handled by Stephen Brooker, with orchestrations adapted by George Dyer and musical direction by Isaac McCullough.
Access & Educational Performances
Curve will host a series of accessible performances across the run, including:
BSL Interpreted: Thursday 4 December, 7:15 PM
Captioned: Saturday 12 December (7:15 PM) & Thursday 17 December (2:00 PM)
Dementia Friendly: Wednesday 16 December, 2:00 PM
Audio Described & Touch Tours: Saturday 19 December (2:00 PM) & Wednesday 6 January (7:15 PM)
Relaxed Performances: Sunday 3 January (1:00 PM) & Thursday 7 January (2:00 PM)
Schools and educational groups can also access a free digital Education Pack, bespoke workshops, and a dedicated Theatre Day on 10 December offering behind-the-scenes insights. Tickets are on sale now via the Curve box office.
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