The musical is based on the book of the same name by Roald Dahl and on the film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory from 1971, with Gene Wilder, and the ‘Charlie’ version from 2005, with Johnny Depp, directed by Tim Burton.
The stage adaptation is by David Greig (an author for the Royal Shakespeare Company), while the songs are by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Sister Act – the film, Hairspray, and the eagerly awaited Mary Poppins Returns), Leslie Bricusse (Oscar winner for The Candy Man, Victor Victoria) and Anthony Newley. The Italian version is directed by Federico Bellone for Wizard Productions.