Think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is all about golden tickets, oompa loompas, and that slightly unhinged chocolatier? Plot twist: the real MVP of the story is actually the mum holding it all together with sheer grit (and probably zero sleep): Mrs Bucket.
As the hit musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is now playing in Singapore, we’re shining the spotlight on Mrs Bucket, the quietly fierce, endlessly frazzled mum who is the glue holding everything together. Watching her, we felt seen. Played by Broadway’s Jill-Christine Wiley, we caught up with her to chat mum life, backstage secrets, Singapore faves, and why this glossy, sugar-coated show hits very differently when you’re the one packing snacks, juggling chaos, and keeping the dream alive.
1. Hi Jill-Christine, thank you for spending time with us today! Tell us a little about yourself and your journey as a performer.
I’ve been fortunate to spend much of my career telling stories through musical theatre, both across the United States and around the world. I grew up in a very musical household with the performing arts and music opportunities right within reach from professional theatre to arts education programs. What I love most about this profession is that every show gives us an opportunity to bring people together, spark imagination, and hopefully leave audiences with something meaningful to carry home with them.
2. You’ve also played Maria in the Sound of Music when it came to Singapore. Tell us about your Singapore adventures, the food you’ve tried, and what you’ve enjoyed the most about visiting Singapore?
Yes, I did indeed! I am absolutely thrilled to be back in Singapore, it almost feels like coming home. We don’t always get the opportunity to return to the same markets, so when I heard that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory would be making a stop here, I was over the moon.
One of the most special parts of being back has been reconnecting with several of the local youth artists who portrayed the Von Trapp children when I was here performing in The Sound of Music three years ago. It’s been wonderful to see them again and hear about all they’ve been up to.
My fellow company members and I have also loved exploring the city, from the Night Safari and Gardens by the Bay to visits to our favourite local coffee spot, Big Short Coffee. And, of course, one experience I never pass up if I have the chance is the spectacular Garden Rhapsody light show beneath the Supertrees. It remains one of my absolute favourite Singapore experiences.
3. Mrs Bucket might just be one of the most underrated mums in children’s literature. What do you admire most about her, and what makes her special?
What I admire most is her resilience. Life has dealt her family some incredibly difficult circumstances, yet she never allows hardship to define them. She keeps moving forward, keeps loving fiercely, creating a home filled with warmth and hope.
She’s not a perfect superhero mother. She’s exhausted, worried, and carrying a lot on her shoulders. But she chooses kindness and optimism anyway. I think that’s what makes her extraordinary
4. Did you experience any challenges taking on this role?
This question always makes me giggle because my mind immediately goes back to the rehearsal process! I joined the production a bit later, so I learned the role in New York City before flying out and then had just a few days of put-in rehearsals with the company before performing for my first audience.
Mrs. Bucket handles nearly 24 different props in her first two scenes alone, so both my hands and my brain were working overtime during those first few weeks! It was a bit of a whirlwind learning curve.
But in many ways, that busyness helped me understand who Mrs. Bucket is. She’s constantly moving, multitasking, and taking care of everyone around her. She’s the heartbeat of the Bucket family, always making sure someone else is fed, comforted, encouraged, or looked after. So while keeping track of all those props was certainly a challenge, it also gave me a deeper appreciation for the character. Talk about a crash course in “mom life” – Mrs. Bucket is one busy bee!
5. Charlie’s family has very little, yet there’s so much warmth and love in their home. How do you think Mrs Bucket contributes to this vibe to balance keeping Charlie’s hope alive, while also wanting to protect him and ground him in reality?
Mrs. Bucket understands something many parents do: hope is necessary, but so is honesty. She doesn’t pretend their circumstances are easy. Charlie knows exactly what challenges the family faces. At the same time, she never lets those challenges take away his sense of possibility.
I think she recognises that imagination and hope aren’t luxuries, they’re survival tools. She keeps Charlie grounded in reality while also giving him permission to dream beyond it. In return I think Charlie is her silver lining.
6. Do you think it’s fair Grandpa Joe got to join Charlie on the Factory tour?
From Charlie’s perspective, absolutely! Grandpa Joe is Charlie’s biggest cheerleader and the person who shares his sense of wonder. The factory isn’t just about chocolate—it’s about seeing the impossible become possible, and Joe experiences that magic right alongside him.
So whether it’s fair or not, I can’t imagine Charlie wanting anyone else by his side. I like to think the whole family (in the end) ventures to the chocolate factory for a delicious celebratory chocolate dessert!
7. Can you share any backstage secrets?
One detail I love is found within our scenic design. If you look closely the front door side of the Bucket Shack reads the family name: “Chez Bucket.” It’s all in the details. Little added moments of theatre magic….or secrets, I guess you could say!
8. Share a memorable moment in the show that still gives you goosebumps?
“Golden Ticket” gives me butterflies every single time! It’s Charlie’s big victory lap, and the fact that he gets to share that moment with his family makes it all the more special. Watching the pure joy unfold on stage night after night is such a gift. The entire company gets swept up in the excitement, and there’s nothing quite like sharing that feel-good energy with an audience. You can hear the cheers, feel the anticipation building, and then it’s off to the races for Charlie and Grandpa Joe… right after intermission, of course!
9. The two Charlie’s are the only child performers in the cast, the other kids at the factory are portrayed by adult actors. Why do you think that is?
I think it’s a brilliant theatrical choice.
Charlie represents genuine childhood innocence, so having him played by a young performer feels important to the heart of the story. The other children are intentionally exaggerated. They’re almost larger-than-life caricatures of certain behaviours and attitudes.
Having adult actors portray them allows the creative team to lean into the comedy and theatricality while highlighting the contrast between Charlie and the other ticket winners.
10. Which of the other children on the factory tour would you most like to have over for a playdate, and why?
I think I’d have to say Mike Teavee! As a proud boy mom, Mrs. Bucket might have a few friendly parenting tips she’d love to share with Mrs. Teavee. Charlie and Mike couldn’t be more different, and I think Mrs. Bucket would be fascinated by how much time Mike spends glued to a screen.
That said, I have a feeling she’d have him sorted out pretty quickly. It’s amazing how fast a child starts listening when the Wi-Fi password mysteriously disappears!
11. What can this show teach us, and what’s the biggest conversation you hope families have on the journey home after seeing the musical?
In the world of the show, we’re surrounded by incredible inventions, endless sweets, and extraordinary opportunities. But Charlie’s greatest strength isn’t luck. It’s his kindness, gratitude, and ability to think of others. I hope families leave talking about how character matters more than possessions and how sometimes the people who have the least can have the most to give.
Quick fire questions:
– If you won a Golden Ticket tomorrow, what’s the first thing you’d do inside the factory?
How about a chocolate tea party with the oompa loompas!? One that Mr, Wonka would sign off on of course, we wouldn’t want to end up like Augustus Gloop!
– Who’s your favourite character in the show?
Well of course, Charlie! I do however also love Cherry and Jerry – those two characters are responsible for a whole lot of comedic backstage laughs from me!
– What do you think is Willy Wonka’s best invention?
His plan to find his next great chocolate inventor!
– Complete this sentence: “The sweetest thing about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory isn’t the chocolate, it’s…”
….the memories made with loved ones as you share a night at the theatre, and the magic that extends from the stage all the way to very last row in balcony seats!
Thank you to Jill-Christine for sharing these super fun moments with us. Catch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Sands Theatre until 14 June 2026 – Book now!
