ROALD DAHL’S

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Directed by Nikolai Foster

RUNNING THIS CHRISTMAS

21 November 2026 – 9 january 2027

Press Night – Wednesday 2 December 2026, 7pm | Curve, Leicester

Leicester’s got the golden ticket this Christmas as Curve has announced a brand-new production of Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY will run 21 November 2026 to 9 January 2027.

Directed by the theatre’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (KINKY BOOTS, LEGALLY BLONDE, THE SOUND OF MUSIC) with set design by Leslie Travers (ROAD, Royal Exchange Theatre, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, Donmar Warehouse), the musical is based on Roald Dahl’s beloved tale of Charlie Bucket’s magical adventure to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory.

This new production has a book by David Greig, music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, as well as the iconic songs from the 1971 film, WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley.

Speaking about the production, Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:

“CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY has long been a favourite novel for so many of us – possibly the first book to fire our imaginations and introduce us to the beauty of a world filled with pure imagination.

“Christmas is always such a magical time at Curve and with this scrumdiddlyumptious musical, it promises to be another golden year for families and friends of all ages to enjoy the power of live theatre together.

“This delicious musical celebrates the great songs from the Gene Wilder film, alongside sensational new songs from the hit-makers behind HAIRSPRAY, Tony award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. And with a script by the acclaimed writer David Grieg, it’s a mouth-wateringly scrumptious recipe; we are looking forward to bringing the wonder of Wonka’s wonderful chocolate factory to life, in one of our most ambitious shows to date.”

Come with me and you’ll be in a world of Curve’s imagination.

Roald Dahl’s magical and much-loved story of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY is spectacularly brought to life this Christmas in our thrilling new Made at Curve production.

Join Charlie Bucket, Grandpa Joe, Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, Mike Teavee and the Oompa-Loompas as we step through the gates of Willy Wonka’s marvellous chocolate factory into a world of pure imagination. From the banks of a scrumdiddlyumptious chocolate river to the dizzying heights of the Great Glass Elevator, nothing is quite as it seems in this wonderful Wonka wonderland.

Directed by Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (KINKY BOOTS, LEGALLY BLONDE, THE SOUND OF MUSIC) and featuring songs including ‘The Candy Man’, ‘The Oompa Loompa Song’ and of course, the unforgettable ‘Pure Imagination’, this timeless classic is a dazzling mix of theatrical magic and sweet nostalgia for all the family, creating memories lasting longer than an Everlasting Gobstopper.

Book your Golden Tickets for the festive event of the year this Christmas at Curve. 

Accessible performances will take place across the run, including British Sign Language interpreted (4 December, 7:15pm), Captioned (12 December, 7:15pm and 17 December, 2pm), Dementia Friendly (16 December, 2pm), Audio Described and Touch Tours (19 December, 2pm and 6 January, 7:15pm) and Relaxed (7 January, 2pm).

This new Made at Curve production will be complemented by wraparound learning and engagement activity delivered by Curve’s Creative Programmes team, including a free digital Education Pack and bespoke workshops for school groups, as well as a Theatre Day on 10 December, where school groups and audience members of all ages will be able to learn more about the creation of the production and behind the scenes insights from the show’s team.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY will run at Curve 21 November 2026 to 9 January 2027. Tickets will be on sale to Made at Curve Circle, Champions and Patrons from 22 April, to Curve Friends from 23 April, to Curve Loyalty Pass holders, Groups and Access Register customers from 24 April and on general sale from 28 April, all at 12pm midday. To find out more, visit www.curveonline.co.uk, call the Box Office on 0116 242 3595, or visit in-person.

ROALD DAHL’s

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Book by DAVID GREIG  Music by MARC SHAIMAN  Lyrics by SCOTT WITTMAN & MARC SHAIMAN

Based on the novel by ROALD DAHL

Songs from the Motion Picture by LESLIE BRICUSSE and ANTHONY NEWLEY

Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International