The Menier Chocolate Factory’s 2013 festive offering comes in the form of Leonard Bernstein’s joyous musical comedy Candide, with former Les Misérables stars Fra Fee and David Thaxton and London stage regulars Scarlett Strallen and Cassidy Jansen leading the cast.

Adapted by Hugh Wheeler from the novel by Voltaire, Candide tells the story of optimist Candide as he journeys through anguish, happiness, loss and love from Westphalia to the far reaches of the New World.

Directed by Top Hat’s Matthew White, who has worked on many of the venue’s previous Christmas musicals including Little Shop Of Horrors and Sweet Charity, the cast also includes Ben Lewis, Jackie Clune and James Dreyfus.

Featuring choreography by Singin’ In The Rain star Adam Cooper and designs by Paul Farnsworth, the double Olivier Award-winning musical, which received its last major London revival at the National Theatre in 1999, features hit songs including Glitter And Be Gay, Make Our Garden Grow, The Best Of All Possible Worlds and Quiet.

Looking to see some musical theatre? Find out more about London musicals.