Bringing Roald Dahl’s scrumptiously inventive world to the stage, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is presented by Base Entertainment Asia.
The musical makes its first Southeast Asia stop at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, from 16 May to 14 June 2026.
Many of us may already be familiar with the story through the book or its various film adaptations, but the musical offered something more. Beyond bringing the mysterious and magical world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory to life, it created an immersive and exhilarating experience for audiences of all ages.
Excellent Casting and Stunningly Creative Details
Adapting a beloved children’s book for the stage comes with its own unique challenges. With several child characters in key roles, productions must balance casting young actors who may lack experience with older actors who may not convincingly appear youthful. Adding to the pressure are the many iconic on-screen portrayals of Willy Wonka over the years, which naturally set high expectations for any new interpretation.
That said, we are charmed by Oliver Wong as Charlie Bucket, the kind and humble boy protagonist. The fact that he was about the same age as the character also made the storytelling feel more sincere and believable.
Daniel Plimpton’s Willy Wonka was an interesting blend of eccentricity and chaos with underlying warmth. Aside from his stella singing and acting, his tap-dancing and on-stage magic tricks impressed us greatly.
The actors and actresses who played the other golden ticket winners (Sam Nackman as Augustus Gloop, Allison Gann as Veruca Salt, Giselle Amarisa Watts as Violet Beauregarde, and DJ Plunkett as Mike Teavee) were a lot of fun to watch. Fully leaning into their hilariously over-the-top, annoying characters, they got plenty of laughs from the audience.
Amidst all the spectacle and chaos, Steve McCoy as Grandpa Joe and Jill-Christin Wiley as Mrs. Bucket moved us with scenes that felt tender, intimate, and close to heart.
A special mention goes to the cast who played the Oompa-Loompas. Their incredibly coordinated movement seamlessly tied the factory’s fantastical moments together.
Childhood Nostalgia with Modern-Day Touches
Admittedly, I was one who grew up reading Roald Dahl’s books as a child. The musical mostly retained the distinct style of the mid-20 century when the story was originally set, while also incorporating modern 21st-century elements to make it more engaging and relatable. In doing so, it created a quirky, slightly surreal world where live-streaming and hacking exist alongside TV news, cabbage priced at five cents, and chocolate bars costing just a dollar.
The production brings back iconic songs from the classic 1971 film, including “Pure Imagination”, “The Candy Man,”, and “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket,” along with original music by Grammy® and Tony Award® winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Mary Poppins Returns). It doesn’t stay in one lane, though, and we were pleasantly surprised by how the musical balanced nostalgia with a fresh sense of novelty.
Not Just a Story for Children
The key messages and values of the story are nothing too out of the ordinary. Kindness and imagination is rewarded, entitlement and overindulgence is punished. The other four children paid dearly for their bad behaviour, but at the end of the day, it’s not hard to see that these children’s characters are reflections of their parents’ attitudes and some exaggerated tendencies in our current world.
Some may see a fairy-tale, others may see more of a critique and satire, and some may see both at once. Perhaps the musical is a golden ticket that unlocks a different experience for everyone.
So don’t miss your chance to step inside the factory. Clinch your own golden ticket today and discover the magic for yourself!
Tickets and showtimes are available here.
Note: The recommended age is 6 and above. No admission is allowed for children under 4, and all children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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