Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory JR. artwork — gold lettering on a magenta starburst

Emily Calder School of Performing Arts presents

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory JR.

Five Golden Tickets. One magical factory. A cast of young Bendigo performers bringing Wonka’s world to life for one weekend only.

  • 2–4 October 2026 · 4 performances
  • Bendigo South East College Theatre
  • Approx. 75 minutes · Great for all ages
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Willy Wonka in a green coat and magenta top hat, both hands resting on his cane

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One weekend only

Performance dates

Four performances across the first weekend of October 2026.

Doors open 30 minutes before each performance. Please arrive early — latecomers are seated at a suitable break.

The five Golden Ticket winners together: Violet Beauregarde blowing a bubble, Charlie Bucket, Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt and Mike Teavee

Meet the cast

Five Golden Ticket winners

Months of rehearsal, a room full of sequins and one very shiny chocolate bar. Here’s your first look at the young Bendigo performers stepping into Wonka’s factory.

  • Charlie Bucket beaming as he holds up a Wonka chocolate bar Charlie Bucket
  • Violet Beauregarde blowing a bubble in her sparkly purple gum outfit Violet Beauregarde
  • Veruca Salt in a pink fur-trimmed coat, hands on hips Veruca Salt
  • Mike Teavee with headphones round his neck beside a smiling Mrs Teavee Mike & Mrs Teavee
  • Mr Beauregarde in a pink suit and black hat beside his daughter Violet Violet & Mr Beauregarde
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The story

About the show

When the mysterious Willy Wonka reappears after years away from the public eye, excitement spreads throughout the town. To celebrate the reopening of his famous chocolate factory, Wonka hides five Golden Tickets inside his chocolate bars. The lucky winners will tour the magical factory, and one child will receive the greatest prize of all.

Charlie Bucket, a kind-hearted boy from a loving but struggling family, dreams of finding a Golden Ticket despite only receiving one chocolate bar each year for his birthday. Against all odds, Charlie discovers the final Golden Ticket and, accompanied by his beloved Grandpa Joe, joins the other winners — Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde and Mike Teavee — for an unforgettable adventure.

As the tour unfolds, each child is tempted by the factory’s extraordinary inventions and ignores Wonka’s warnings, leading to a series of hilarious and spectacular mishaps. One by one, the Golden Ticket winners are eliminated, leaving only Charlie, whose kindness, honesty and humility set him apart.

In the end, Wonka reveals that the tour was about much more than chocolate — it was a search for someone worthy to inherit his extraordinary factory. Charlie’s imagination, compassion and integrity prove that he is the perfect choice, earning him the greatest prize of all: the future of Willy Wonka’s magical chocolate factory.

Director
Emily Calder
Presented by
Emily Calder School of Performing Arts
Running time
Approx. 75 minutes, no interval
Suitable for
All ages — a perfect first theatre trip
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Mrs Bucket and Charlie smiling at each other
The Buckets
Grandpa Joe and Charlie Bucket sharing a Wonka bar
Charlie & Grandpa Joe

Getting there

Venue & parking

Bendigo South East College Theatre

Ellis Street, Flora Hill
Bendigo VIC 3550

  • Free on-site and street parking
  • Wheelchair accessible seating — let us know when booking so we can reserve a suitable spot
  • Doors open 30 minutes before each performance
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Presented by

Emily Calder School of Performing Arts

Emily Calder School of Performing Arts is a Bendigo-based school where young performers build confidence, craft and friendships through singing, acting and dance. Every production is a chance for students to step onto a real stage in front of a real audience.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory JR. is directed by Emily Calder, working with a cast of local students who have spent months bringing Wonka’s factory to life.

Interested in classes or auditions for future productions? Visit emilycalder.com.au or get in touch.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

How do I buy tickets?

All tickets are sold online through TryBooking. Head to the tickets section, choose your performance, select your seats and pay securely by card. Your tickets arrive by email — show them on your phone at the door.

Do children need a ticket?

Yes — every person attending needs a ticket, including children. Concession and family options (where available) are shown at the booking step.

How long is the show?

About 75 minutes with no interval, so it’s comfortable for younger audience members.

What age is it suitable for?

All ages. It’s a bright, funny, family-friendly musical and a great first theatre experience.

Can I buy tickets at the door?

Only if the performance hasn’t sold out. We strongly recommend booking online in advance — our performances usually sell out.

Is the venue accessible?

Yes. Accessible seating is available — please contact us when you book so we can reserve the right spot for you.

Can I take photos or video?

Please keep phones and cameras away during the performance. There’s plenty of time for photos with the cast in the foyer afterwards.

What if I need to change or refund my booking?

Ticket changes are handled through TryBooking. Contact us and we’ll do our best to help.

Don’t miss your Golden Ticket

Four performances only · 2–4 October 2026 · Bendigo South East College Theatre

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