Gatehouse Summer School 2024

The Gatehouse Theatre is delighted to announce that our 2024 Summer School production will be CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY.

This is the perfect first step for young people who are interested in a career in entertainment – or just want to have fun and make some new friends over the summer.

Under the tuition and guidance of professional directors, choreographers and producers, it’s a great introduction to live theatre – with no pressure put on anyone taking part. First and foremost, it’s about enjoying yourselves!

This year’s production promises to be an golden-ticket cracker.

Based on the famous novel by Roald Dahl, the production features an original score composed by Marc Shaiman with lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray) and a book by David Greig.

The score also pays homage to the Leslie Bricusse/Anthony Newley score from the 1971 film with songs from the motion picture including ‘Candy Man’, ‘I’ve Got a Golden Ticket’, ‘Oompa Loompa Song’ and ‘Pure Imagination’.

The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory… but only to a lucky few.

Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination including chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels and the great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonka’s army of curious Oompa-Loompas.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is your golden ticket to free entertainment in Stafford this summer!

The project is open to anyone aged 9-18 years old and dates of the summer school run from the 5th to 24th August 2024.

Performances will be on the 23rd and 24th August 2024 and tickets for the shows are completely free!

Auditions for our summer school will take place on the 12th May from 10am. More details will follow after you’ve submitted an application form.

To apply for our summer school experience, download an application form here and return to Casting@Freedom-leisure.co.uk

The fees are £300 per person. Bursaries are available to cover fees in some cases.

To apply for a bursary, download an application form here and return to Alison.Young@freedom-leisure.co.uk (Bursaries are strictly limited and not all applications are guaranteed.)

We look forward to creating this wonderful musical with you!