Pupils taking to the stage for the annual play at an Oxford school had more reason than most to feel a few first-night nerves.

The production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Magdalen College Junior School was dedicated to the memory of past pupil David Morris, who knew a thing or two about the story.

Mr Morris, who died last October, aged 83, played Grandpa George in Tim Burton's 2005 film adaptation of the Roald Dahl story, which starred Johnny Depp.

Mr Morris's widow, Olwen, and two of their four children were invited by the school to watch the performance, which involved more than 40 pupils, aged seven to 11.

Mr Morris was a pupil at the independent school, in Cowley Place, from 1934 until 1941, during which time he was head boy, head chorister, captain of the 1st XV rugby team and editor of the school magazine.

Although always passionate about theatre, he spent the majority of his life painting and teaching art and inadvertently became a professional actor at the age of 79.

Mrs Morris said: "An agent saw him acting in a production which we staged in the theatre at the bottom of our garden. He was invited to an audition for the TV show Jonathan Creek and from then until he died he played a variety of roles.

"He was always encouraging young people to get involved in acting and would have absolutely loved this performance.

"I think it's marvellous that the school dedicated the play to him. He would have loved to have seen it. It's all very touching."

Teacher Janeen Kirk, who directed the play, said: "The boys are all fascinated by the fact Mr Morris played the role of Grandpa George and was a Hollywood movie star. They were all geared up for the play and very excited, especially Jerome Gasson, who played the part of Grandpa George."

Mrs Morris was presented with a bouquet by eight-year-old Jerome.

Performances took place on Tuesday and Wednesday. There were chocolate fountains and Champagne for parents at the interval and a "golden ticket" raffle at the end, with the top prize being a family ticket to Cadbury World, in Birmingham Although only making his acting debut at 79, Mr Morris wasted no time in building an impressive CV in film and television.

From his first television role in Jonathan Creek, word soon got around in casting circles that Mr Morris was something special.

In 2004, he appeared in the cult TV series Little Britain as the Welsh postman, delivering letters to Matt Lucas's "only gay in the village".

A year later he starred in the TV play When I'm 64 and A Very Social Secretary, a dramatisation of former Home Secretary David Blunkett's affair, as well as the Steve Coogan sitcom Saxondale.