12 45-foot trailers, three days and a crew of 40 later and the curtains are ready to go up for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The show is running at Norwich Theatre Royal until April 29 on its UK and Ireland tour and it follows its success on both the West End and Broadway.

The hit musical is based on the Roald Dahl story and combines the memorable songs from the original 1971 film, including The Candy Man and Pure Imagination, with all new numbers. 

Norwich Evening News: Gareth Snook as Willy Wonka and Noah Walton as Charlie Bucket with a copy of the Eastern Daily Press Picture: Denise Bradley Gareth Snook as Willy Wonka and Noah Walton as Charlie Bucket with a copy of the Eastern Daily Press Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

In the show, Charlie Bucket, played by 13-year-old Noah Walton, finds one of the five golden tickets to the Wonka Chocolate Factory.

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Once the winners step beyond the gates they embark on an extraordinary journey through Willy Wonka's marvellous mind.

West End star Gareth Snook plays Willy Wonka and his other theatre credits include The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and My Fair Lady.

Norwich Evening News: Noah Walton as Charlie Bucket and Gareth Snook as Willy Wonka with a copy of the Norwich Evening News Picture: Denise Bradley Noah Walton as Charlie Bucket and Gareth Snook as Willy Wonka with a copy of the Norwich Evening News Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Snook said: "It is quite a role to take on as famous people have played it in the past like Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp, but in this musical adaptation I can make it my own.

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Norwich Evening News: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is in Norwich until April 29 Picture: Johan PerssonCharlie and the Chocolate Factory is in Norwich until April 29 Picture: Johan Persson (Image: Johan Persson)

"My favourite scene is at the end when I do a duet with Charlie in the glass elevator."

The tour has a massive amount of scenery and technical equipment, which includes 290 LED panels, 70 wigs and 113 costumes. 

Norwich Evening News: Noah Walton as Charlie Bucket and Gareth Snook as Willy Wonka outside Norwich Theatre Royal Picture: Denise BradleyNoah Walton as Charlie Bucket and Gareth Snook as Willy Wonka outside Norwich Theatre Royal Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

The stage management team must also hand-wrap 56 bars of chocolate every week, ensuring the golden tickets are in the right ones.  

Stephen Crocker, chief executive and creative director of Norwich Theatre, said: "This production brings the much-loved book and its vibrant characters to life with every element of theatrical spectacle and promises to be a thrilling, magical, hopeful delight!”

Book your golden ticket on the Norwich Theatre website or call 01603 630000.