FULL CHARACTER LIST
THE LEADS
Willy Wonka: Eccentric, mysterious, and very sarcastic.
Charlie Bucket: Kind, hopeful, and honest.
Grandpa Joe: Charlie’s energetic and protective grandfather.
THE WINNERS & PARENTS
Augustus Gloop & Mrs. Gloop: Greedy and overprotective.
Veruca Salt & Mr. Salt: Spoilt and wealthy.
Violet Beauregarde & Mrs. Beauregarde: Competitive and intense.
Mike Teevee & Mr. Teevee: Tech-obsessed and stressed.
THE BUCKET FAMILY
Mum: Charlie’s hard-working mother.
Grandparents: George, Georgina, and Josephine (stay in the "physical" bed).
THE MEDIA & STREET FOLK
The Newsreader: Fast-talking and dramatic.
Bill the Candy Man: A cheerful street seller.
THE PHYSICAL THEATRE ENSEMBLE
The Street: Benches, lamp posts, and shop counters.
The Bucket House: The walls and the physical "Bed."
The Chocolate River: Moving waves and the "Pipe."
The Squirrels: Trained nut-testing squirrels.
The Oompa-Loompas: Wonka’s factory workers.
SCENE 1: THE STREET
(The Ensemble forms a bustling street. Some bend over to become "benches," others
stand stiffly as "lamp posts.")
BILL: Alright y’all, gather round! The Candy Man is here! You’ve come to the right
man, 'cause I’m the Candy Man! I mix it with love and make the world taste good!
(The Ensemble shifts. Two actors lock arms to create a "Counter." Bill stands behind
them. Suddenly, a spotlight hits the Newsreader standing on a chair held by two
Ensemble members.)
NEWSREADER: Breaking news! World-famous chocolate maker Willy Wonka is
opening his gates! Five lucky winners who find a Golden Ticket will win a tour. Will it
be you?
(The Ensemble creates a "TV Screen" around the Newsreader with their arms. They
gasp in unison as names are announced.)
NEWSREADER: Winner Number One: Augustus Gloop! Number Two: Veruca Salt!
Number Three: Violet Beauregarde! Number Four: Mike Teevee!
SCENE 2: THE BUCKET HOUSE
(The Ensemble moves center stage. Four actors sit on the floor, back-to-back, with
their arms linked to form a "Square Bed.")
CHARLIE: Cabbage soup for tea again? I don’t have a chance at a ticket, Grandpa.
We’re too poor. GRANDPA GEORGE: He needs to learn the facts. We’re poor! Poor,
poor, poor! MUM: (Stirring a "Pot" created by an actor’s rounded arms) Happy
Birthday, Charlie. Here... we saved up. (Charlie opens a "bar." The Ensemble makes a
"Crinkle" sound. Silence.) CHARLIE: Nothing. Just chocolate.
(Charlie walks to the edge of the stage. The Ensemble shifts to become a "Cold Wind,"
swaying. One actor drops a "coin." Charlie "picks it up.")
CHARLIE: A coin! (He runs to the Ensemble "Shop") One Wonka Bar, please! (He
opens it. The Ensemble gasps. An actor holds a bright yellow card behind Charlie’s
hand. A "Golden Glow" reflects on his face.) CHARLIE: It’s a fake! The last ticket was
a fake! I found it! I found the Golden Ticket!
SCENE 3: THE CHOCOLATE RIVER
(The Ensemble kneels in two lines, waving their arms in a fluid, rhythmic motion to
create the "River." They make a low "Whoosh" sound.)
WONKA: Welcome! Step inside, but keep everything a secret. Behold! My river of
melted chocolate! AUGUSTUS: (Running to the "River") I must have it! WONKA:
Stop! He’ll ruin my chocolate! (Augustus leans over the Ensemble "River." Two actors
grab his arms and "pull" him into the middle. The Ensemble makes a "Gurgle" sound.)
WONKA: He’s going into the pipe! (The Ensemble stands up in a circle around
Augustus, lifting their arms high to form a "Tube." They lift him into the air.) WONKA:
Oompa-Loompas! Take Mrs. Gloop to the Fudge Room!
SCENE 4: THE NUT ROOM (SQUIRRELS)
(The Ensemble crouches in rows. They hold their hands like paws and make "Chitter-
chitter" noises. They are the Squirrels.)
VERUCA: Daddy! I want a trained squirrel! WONKA: They aren't for sale. These
squirrels can tell a "Good Nut" from a "Bad Nut." VERUCA: (Running into the group) If
you won’t buy one, I’ll take one! (The Squirrels suddenly stand up and surround
Veruca, trapping her with their poses.) WONKA: Oh dear. They’ve decided she’s a
"Bad Nut." (The Squirrels tilt their heads in unison, then "sweep" Veruca and her Dad
toward the back of the stage.) WONKA: Down the garbage chute they go!
SCENE 5: THE TELEVISION ROOM
(The Ensemble creates a giant "Machine." Some move arms like pistons; others
make a "Beep-Boop" rhythm.)
MIKE TEEVEE: Out of my way! I want to be on TV! (Mike jumps into the "Machine."
The Ensemble vibrates and hums loudly, then "freezes." One actor holds up a tiny doll
or a miniature Mike.) MR. TEEVEE: He’s tiny! What has happened to him?! WONKA:
He did this to himself! Take him to the Taffy Puller!
SCENE 6: THE WINNER
(Wonka, Charlie, and Joe stand alone. The Ensemble moves to the back.)
WONKA: (Rudely) Well, that’s it. Tour’s over. Leave! GRANDPA JOE: What? But
Charlie is the only one left! WONKA: You failed! You stole my secrets! You get
nothing! Good day!
(Charlie looks at the "Everlasting Gobstopper" in his pocket. He walks slowly to Wonka
and places it on the floor.)
CHARLIE: I’m sorry I let you down, Mr. Wonka. (Wonka waits, then breaks into a huge
smile.) WONKA: You did it! You passed the test! Slugworth doesn’t exist—I paid that
man to test your honesty. And you gave the prize back! CHARLIE: Does this mean I
win the chocolate? WONKA: More than that! This factory is now yours! You and your
family can move in today!
(The Ensemble rushes forward. They form a giant "Great Glass Elevator" by standing
in a tall rectangle and mimicking the motion of a lift going up.)
WONKA: Hold on tight, Charlie! Our life is about to change! ALL: Pure imagination!
[BLACKOUT / CURTAIN]