It is hard to believe Roald Dahl would have been 100-years-old this year, as his stories are still much loved by people of all ages even today.

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory was written in 1964 and was inspired by Roald's schooldays, when Cadburys used to send test packages to pupils in order to hear their opinions on the products.

The adventures of Charlie Bucket inside the mysterious and elusive Willy Wonka's factory have been brought to life in the West End since 2013, in a show filled with a deliciously colourful chocolate garden, an array of squirrels on the factory production line and an army of harmonious Oompa-Loompas lurking in the shadows of every corner.

The musical was directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, who has also directed Hollywood blockbusters including, Spectre and Skyfall in the James Bond series, as well as American Beauty and Revolutionary Road, and it was choreographed by Peter Darling, who was also involved in Billy Elliot The Musical and another of Roald's classics, Matilda The Musical.

Even before the show started, there was a buzz of excitement among both the young and old in the audience as they waited for the lights to dim and the curtain to go up, where a world of pure imagination would be unveiled.

The first half of the play was visually spectacular, as we were introduced to Charlie's family and also to the other golden ticket winners.

As each child discovered they had won a chance of a lifetime to enter a world of endless edible delights, a breaking news story would flash across the television screen at the back of the stage and the characters would be introduced through a song.

Augustus Gloop, the greedy Bavarian, was the first winner and he yodelled through his introduction song, while also belching into the reporter's microphone. Violet Beauregarde, who loved chewing gum, was an aspiring popstar from Los Angeles, Veruca Salt was a spoilt Daddy's girl who introduced herself through ballet and Mike Teavee was a hyperactive child who only understood the world through computer games and drove his mother to drink.

After watching each of them meet a grisly demise during the play, there was an anticipation to see Charlie be presented with his winning prize. However, the end scene was slightly underwhelming as he was taken through a glass elevator that lacked the same excitement you felt in other scenes.

Jonathan Slinger, who played Mr Wonka, was mesmerizing in his quirky role and brought his own originality and style to the iconic character made famous by Gene Wilder in the 1971 film, who sadly passed away last month.

As the cast gave their bows at the end of the show, Jonathan also gave a special mention to Roald in memory of his centenary year.

Overall, the musical was a treat for the eyes and ears and reminded us all that although Roald is no longer around to keep inventing more adventures, his stories will never be forgotten.

Star-rating: *****

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Catherine Street, Covent Garden, WC2B 5JF, Saturday, January 7, 2017, 7.30pm, details: charlieandthechocolatefactory.com/london