Learn about Michael Ball's stage work ahead of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'

The Olivier-winning actor is back in the West End in 2027, starring as Willy Wonka in the magical Roald Dahl musical at the London Coliseum.

Summary

• Michael Ball will star as Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2027
• The acclaimed actor has won two Olivier Awards
• His iconic shows include Les Misérables and Hairspray

Michael Ball is entering a world of pure imagination: he’s set to play the iconic Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical. The hit show, based on Roald Dahl’s novel, is returning to the West End in summer 2027, playing at the London Coliseum.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features new numbers by Hairspray’s Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, a book by David Greig (Touching the Void), and direction by Leicester Curve’s artistic director Nikolai Foster (A Chorus Line).

It’s a fantastic team joining Ball – who, of course, has had an incredible stage career, and is also appearing in Jesus Christ Superstar at Theatre Royal Drury Lane later this year. Get to know his major theatre credits ahead of your trip (or trips!) to see him in action.

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Check back for information on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Michael Ball on screen

Ball is mainly renowned for his theatre work, but he’s also made some popular appearances on screen. These include presenting his own entertainment shows, Michael Ball and The Michael Ball Show, as well as appearing in programmes such as Victoria Wood’s The Day We Sang, Josh, Coronation Street, Toast of London, Inside No.9, and, with Alfie Boe, Ball & Boe: One Night Only.

Michael Ball on stage

Godspell

Ball made his debut in 1984 in the Stephen Schwartz musical at Aberystwyth Arts Centre in Wales. He played the roles of Judas Iscariot and John the Baptist in the biblically themed show, which is based on the Gospel of Matthew.

Les Misérables

Ball shot to fame in 1985 when he originated the role of Marius Pontmercy, a loved-up student and revolutionary, in the epic musical Les Misérables. Ball was in the original Barbican production and West End transfer. He then reprised his role for The Dream Cast in Concert in 1995, and played Inspector Javert in a 2004 concert, the 2019 staged concert, and the 2024 Arena Spectacular World Tour.

Phantom of the Opera

Ball led another iconic show in 1987, returning to the West End to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom. He played Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny, one side of the stirring love triangle that also consists of budding soprano Christine and the mysterious title character.

Aspects of Love

Ball was back originating a role in another Lloyd Webber musical in 1989. He starred as the passionate Alex in this romantically entangled show, which sees an actress caught between her young lover and his urbane uncle, who also has a sophisticated lover. Ball starred in the West End and on Broadway. He then returned to the show for a London revival in 2023, this time playing Alex’s uncle, George.

Sunset Boulevard

Ball originated the role of Joe Gillis, the disillusioned screenwriter who becomes the unwilling collaborator of faded screen star Norma Desmond, in this magnificent Hollywood musical – which continued his relationship with Lloyd Webber. Ball was part of the 1991 Sydmonton production ahead of the show’s official premiere. He later played Joe in a production at Cork Opera House in Ireland.

Passion

Ball starred opposite Maria Friedman in the 1996 UK premiere of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s unusual musical, which centres on a handsome soldier’s obsessive passion for his colonel’s sick cousin. Ball played that soldier, the sensitive Giorgio.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Ball took on a more lighthearted role in 2002 in the world premiere of this jovial musical – based on the beloved movie and featuring songs by the Sherman Brothers – at the London Palladium. He played the eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, who forms a bond with Truly Scrumptious – and, of course, adores that titular car.

The Woman in White

Ball tapped into his villainous side as he reunited with Lloyd Webber in 2005 for the latter’s musical version of Wilkie Collins’s spine-tingling The Woman in White. He actually took over from Michael Crawford, who was indisposed, playing the conniving Count Fosco in this Victorian thriller in its West End premiere.

The Rocky Horror Show

Ball showed his remarkable range by next inhabiting the inimitable Frank-N-Furter in a one-night benefit concert of Rocky Horror at the Royal Court, raising money for Amnesty International. He shared the role with Anthony Head, and the cast also featured Toyah Wilcox, Ade Edmondson, Sophie Lawrence, Christopher Biggins, and Steve Pemberton.

Hairspray

Another of Ball’s iconic roles is the fiercely loving Edna Turnblad, mum of wannabe dancer Tracy, in this smash-hit 1960s-set musical. Ball starred in the West End premiere in 2007 at the Shaftesbury Theatre, opposite Leanne Jones, Mel Smith and Tracie Bennett, and he won a Best Actor Olivier Award. He led the show on its UK tour as well. He then reprised the role of Edna for a 2021 revival at the London Coliseum, this time starring with Lizzie Bea, Les Dennis, and Marisha Wallace.

Sweeney Todd

Ball co-starred with Imelda Staunton is a hugely acclaimed revival of Sondheim’s Victorian penny dreadful musical, playing the title role: a barber seeking vengeance against those who wronged him. The production played at Chichester Festival Theatre and then transferred to the West End’s Adelphi Theatre, where it won three Oliviers: for Best Musical Revival, Best Actor for Ball, and Best Actress for Staunton.

Mack and Mabel

That partnership proved so successful that it just had to be repeated. Ball and Staunton once again joined forces in 2015 for this Jerry Herman musical about the turbulent romance between a Hollywood director and a star actress. The production opened in Chichester and then toured the UK.

Chess

Ball starred as Russian chess grandmaster Anatoly Sergievsky in Tim Rice, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’s Cold War musical. This 2018 London Coliseum production was the first revival of Chess in 30 years, and it made changes such as including all the songs from the original concept album. The cast also featured Alexandra Burke, Cedric Neal, Tim Howar, and Cassidy Janson.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Hallelujah! Ball is back this year in a Lloyd Webber musical in the West End. He’s one of the incredible group of performers playing the juicy role of King Herod in the electrifying revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, which ran at the London Palladium this summer and is now enjoying a Second Coming at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. You can catch Ball on 23 November-5 December.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

There’s more Ball to look forward to in 2027 too. He stars as the mercurial, mysterious, sometimes alarming, always fascinating Willy Wonka, who tours a group of children around his factory, in the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s enduring novel. This revival is the big summer show at the London Coliseum, and it promises to be totally magical. Don’t miss out on bagging your golden ticket!

Book Jesus Christ Superstar tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Check back for information on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Main photo credit: Michael Ball for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Photo by Matt Crockett). Inset: The cast of Les Misérables: The Staged Concert, Aspects of Love, Hairspray (Photos by Seamus Ryan, Johan Persson, Tristram Kenton)