Former Matilda The Musical star Lara Denning will swap one Roald Dahl tale for another when she takes to the stage in Sam Mendes’ sugary hit Charlie And The Chocolate Factory in May.
The actress, who played Miss Honey in the record-breaking Royal Shakespeare Company production, will play Mrs Bucket alongside the previously announced Jonathan Slinger as everyone’s favourite chocolatier Willy Wonka.
She joins fellow factory newcomers including Kraig Thornber and Mark Oxtoby, who take on the roles of Grandpa George and Jerry respectively, while original cast members Ross Dawes and Derek Hagen will swap their current roles as Jerry and Mr Teavee to play Mr Salt and Mr Bucket.
Almost two thirds of the current chocolate factory residents are unable to resist the lure of another year of sweet treats, with original cast members Myra Sands, Roni Page, Jasna Ivir, Paul J Medford, Kate Graham and Joe Allen also staying for another year in the Olivier Award-winning musical.
Willy Wonka will open his doors to his new everlasting gobstopper-loving guests on 4 May, when they’ll step into Dahl’s sugar-coated world of dancing squirrels, Oompa Loompas and mouth-watering creations for the first time.
Based on the much-loved tale of golden ticketholder Charlie Bucket whose life is changed forever when he’s invited inside the eccentric confectioner’s top secret factory, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory is brought to life with music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and a book by David Greig.
The musical is currently booking at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane until 4 June 2016, giving sweet-toothed audience members at least another year to indulge in the delectable hit.