Joburg Ballet, by arrangement with the Roald Dahl Story Company, is thrilled to announce the sweet return of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to the stage at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City for 11 performances from 27 November to 6 December 2026.
Choreographed by Joburg Ballet’s Associate Choreographer Mario Gaglione, with the original score by award-winning composer Mark Cheyne and Andrew Botha as design consultant, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory premièred at the Joburg Theatre in October 2024 to rave reviews and critical acclaim:
“It’s a hugely thrilling experience to hear and watch, for the first time, the strains of Cheyne’s score, Willy Wonka stepping onto the stage – his top hat in place according to the character description known to the millions of fans familiar with Roald Dahl’s classic book”. Bruce Dennill, pARTicipate. “The opening performance was nothing short of spectacular!” Renate Engelbrecht, Hello Lifestyle.
“The birth of something quite remarkable! Dazzling colours and costumes – gorgeous sets and lighting and the most beautiful chocolate flooding the stage”. Sam Nupen, SamSays.
“For me creating and choreographing Charlie in 2024 felt very much like finding my own golden ticket. It gave me a rare chance to share something magical! It was my hope then that it would become a golden moment for every child – and grown-up in the audience, filling them with joy and wonder they’d never forget”, says Gaglione.
“And now, bringing Charlie back after two years, is again a dream come true and my desire to share the magic is even stronger now, from the little dancers to the wonderful professionals of the company and of course all the children and grown-ups in the audience.”
Audiences can look forward to Monike Cristina and Revil Yon, Ivan Domiciano and Ryoko Yagyu, Bruno Miranda and Chloé Blair (debut) and Miguel Franco-Green (debut) and Gabriella Ghiaroni (debut), in the leading roles of Willy Wonka and Chocolate.
The role of Charlie will be danced again by Jayden Josh Samuels with Matthew Jansen van Vuuren and Shane MacDonald debuting in the role.
Joining the company for the season are the young dancers of the Joburg Ballet Academy and Joburg Ballet School, returning character artists, Albertus Dreyer and Christoper Montague, also Nigel Hannah and Sue Kirkland.
A ‘Charlie’ Open Day, for a fun-filled, behind-the-scenes peek at the ballet will be held at the Joburg Ballet Studios, 26 Hoofd, Braamfontein on Saturday 21 November from 10h00 to 13h00. Tickets R165 per person; unreserved seating. Bookings: Quicket.
Joburg Ballet extends its gratitude to Honorary Life Patron Annzie Hancock of South African Ballet Theatre Trust for her generous contribution towards the costumes for this production.
The ballet of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is presented in association with the Roald Dahl Story Company. www.roalddahl.com
Casting for the roles of Willy Wonka, Chocolate and Charlie (subject to change)
27 November 2026 at 19h00 Revil Yon, Monike Cristina, Jayden Josh Samuels
28 November 2026 at 14h00 Ivan Domiciano, Ryoko Yagyu, Matthew van Vuuren (debut)
28 November 2026 at 18h30 Bruno Miranda, Chloé Blair (debut) Jayden Josh Samuels
29 November 2026 at 14h00 Revil Yon, Monike Cristina, Shane MacDonald (debut)
02 December 2026 at 11h00 Ivan Domiciano, Ryoko Yagyu, Matthew Jansen van Vuuren
03 December 2026 at 11h00 Miguel Green (debut), Gabriella Ghiaroni (debut), Shane MacDonald
03 December 2026 at 18h30 Revil Yon, Monike Cristina, Jayden Josh Samuels
04 December 2026 at 19h00 Bruno Miranda, Chloé Blair, Jayden Josh Samuels
05 December 2026 at 14h00 Ivan Domiciano, Ryoko Yagyu, Matthew Jansen van Vuuren
05 December 2026 at 18h30 Miguel Green, Gabriella Ghiaroni, Shane MacDonald
06 December 2026 at 14h00 Revil Yon, Monike Cristina, Jayden Josh Samuels
Booking Information
Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City
Dates & Times:
27 November 2026 at 19h00
28 November 2026 at 14h00 and18h30
29 November 2026 at 14h00
02 December 2026 at 11h00*
03 December 2026 at 11h00* and 18h30
04 December 2026 at 19h00
05 December 2026 at 14h00 and 18h30
06 December 2026 at 14h00
(All performances to recorded music)
Tickets: R200 – R980
*Wednesday 2 December & Thursday 3 December 11:00am performances: all tickets R200 (no further discounts available)
Discounts: Children u/7: 50%; Scholars, Students and u/26: 15%; Pensioners 15%;
Friends of the Ballet 35%; Groups of 10+ 5% and Groups of 20+ 10%
Tickets: www.webtickets.co.za
Duration: Act 1: 50 min | Act 2: 40 min | Act 3: 35 min
Age Restriction: None (Open to all ages)
For more information about Joburg Ballet’s 25thAnniversary Season, visit www.joburgballet.com
Keep up to date with Joburg Ballet online: Facebook: @JoburgBalletCompany | Instagram: @joburg_ballet | X: @joburgballet | LinkedIn: @joburgballet
Media Queries: media@joburgballet.com; executive@joburgballet.com;
Note for Editors:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory earned nominations in several categories at the 20th Annual Naledi Theatre Awards 2025 (productions presented in 2024): for Best Choreography – Mario Gaglione;
Best Performance – Jayden Josh Samuels as Charlie and Monike Cristina as Chocolate and
Best Production – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
It secured two major victories taking home the Best Production Award for Gaglione’s spectacular creation and a Special Award: Achievement in Theatre for Mark Cheyne’s standout original score.
It also received the Outstanding Dance Production Award at the 2025 National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA) hosted by the South African Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
