Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (musical) recently closed Broadway version (instead of the West End one) and will feature only 4 child actors who will alternate the role of Charlie. The remainder of the "child" characters will be played adult actors. On 13 October the primary cast was announced and includes U.S. actor Paul Slade Smith (who played Grandpa George in the original cast of Charlie on Broadway) as Willy Wonka alongside Australian actors Tony Sheldon as Grandpa Joe and Lucy Maunder as Mrs Bucket. The role of Charlie will be shared between Tommy Blair, Ryan Yates, Xion Jarvis and Oliver Alkhair.. The play opens with
Inside Charlie's Chocolate Factory Factory" come to life and re-inspire the love for the story all over again. This is a book which must accompany viewing whichever platform your heart connects to Charlie, the boy we all dreamed we could be, befriend so we too could enjoy the spoils of the candy forest and meet the Umpa Lumpas first hand." "Kirkus Reviews" called it "an effusive celebration", a "chatty volume" and concluded "Mainly for die-hard Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fans who want more than the novel itself." "School Library Journal" wrote "Kids might be turned off by the nostalgic sensibility of the text