Step into a world of imagination, where anything is possible.

The wonderful, colourful world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - The Musical is currently on stage at Manchester’s Palace Theatre, and what a spectacle it is!

From the moment Charlie steps onto the stage to the finale, the whole show is a sight and feast for the eyes.

The story follows Charlie Bucket, who lives with his four grandparents and his mum in a shack near a town rubbish dump.

The family are so poor the four grandparents all sleep in the same bed.

Charlie, played on the day I visited by the brilliant Haydn Court, spends his free time trawling through the dump to find ‘treasures’ for his family.

He lives in the same town as the famous Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, which Charlie, and his Grandpa Joe, dream of visiting one day.

Willy Wonka, who hasn’t been seen for decades, decides to allow five children to visit his factory by launching a competition.

He hides five golden tickets in Wonka bars which are distributed around the world.

Four children across the globe discover the tickets, before Charlie finds one the day before the factory visit.

Then the fun begins as Charlie, along with Grandpa Joe, and the four other children and their parents, enter the wonderful world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

This is when the fun and mayhem really start.

The four children: Augustus Gloop, played by Robin Simoes Da Silva; Veruca Salt, played by Kazmin Borrer; Violet Beauregarde played by Marisha Morgan, and Mike Teavee played by Teddy Hinde, are all obnoxious in their own way - spoilt, glutinous and demanding.

Each plays their part to aplomb, which many comedy elements - especially when Violet turns into a giant blueberry after ignoring advice not to eat a piece of magic gum.

Willy Wonka, played by Gareth Snook, is a revelation and delivers on all fronts.

The whole show is an amazing extravaganza, with sets and costumes and staging simply outstanding.

I was sat near rows upon rows of children and they all behaved impeccably - not a sound was heard as they all sat enthralled by the magnificent show served up on stage.

I have seen many shows throughout the years and this is up there with the best of them. One to definitely catch if you can.

It runs until Sunday, July 30.

review by Lisa Burns