[category]
[title]
Few children’s stories have endured quite like Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – a deliciously dark tale about greed, gluttony and golden tickets wrapped in rivers of chocolate. The stage adaptation first premiered in London’s West End in 2013 before making its Broadway debut in 2017, complete with songs from the beloved 1971 film alongside new numbers by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Now, the touring production has landed in Singapore as part of its first Southeast Asian stop, running at Sands Theatre from now till June 14.
And while the production certainly delivers spectacle, magic and enough sugar rush to entertain kids and kidults, this is one confection that feels more style than substance. The script tries very hard to be quirky and self-aware, but too often lands with the theatrical equivalent of a dad joke followed by nervous jazz hands. At times, the dialogue is nearly lost entirely – Veruca Salt’s screech-heavy scenes being a prime example.
There’s also a strange identity crisis at play. Like the film adaptations, the musical doesn’t stay entirely faithful to Dahl’s original book. The musical tosses in references to Instagram, TikTok and influencer culture to appeal to younger audiences, yet the costumes and props feel visually stuck somewhere in the past. The clash creates a confusing sense of time and place.
And then there’s the localised humour. At one point, Willy Wonka unexpectedly breaks into Singapore’s National Day song ‘Home’, drawing audible laughter from the crowd. Let’s just say it feels slightly cringey.
Still, the production isn’t entirely devoid of ‘pure imagination’. When it embraces theatrical illusion, flashes of magic emerge. Wonka’s seemingly endless Mary Poppins-style bag tricks delight, Violet Beauregarde’s grotesquely long gum sequence is wonderfully absurd, and several disappearing acts earn genuine gasps from the audience.
Visually, the second act fares better once the audience finally enters the factory itself, with larger set pieces and playful stagecraft injecting much-needed energy into the show. And of course, classics like ‘Pure Imagination’ still retain their nostalgic pull, no matter how uneven the surrounding material may be.
That said, fans can still lean into the full Wonka fantasy beyond the theatre itself. ArtScience Museum and Marina Bay Sands are currently lit up in the musical’s signature purple-and-gold hues for a limited-time installation, while themed desserts and drinks across the property add a playful extra touch to the experience.
Highlights include whimsical pastries at Origin + Bloom inspired by the show’s characters, as well as theatrical chocolate desserts and milkshakes at KOMA Singapore and Black Tap Craft Burgers and Beer. Selected themed treats also come with exclusive Charlie and the Chocolate Factory sticker packs and keychains.
And the magic doesn’t stop there: more than 8,000 Golden Tickets are hidden beneath selected seats at Sands Theatre throughout the season. Find one to unlock exclusive rewards. Discover more here.
READ MORE
Snow City Singapore to close this September after 26 years of frosty fun
K-pop clash: Babymonster and Le Sserafim line up Singapore shows on Nov 28
There’s a new sci-fi pop-up library at Parkway Parade with nearly 4,000 sci-fi titles