Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

With every show there are always  many points of consideration and with this choice the production team's pure imagination really was stretched to the maximum. This was a premier for the Midlands and attracted a large audience and support from many other amateur groups and also societies that were planning to perform it at some point in the future, I have to add at this point that BMOS really showed everyone that the company were absolutely NOT amateur. As I am often asked to be present at auditions with this company it was so nice to see those who had been cast bring their characters to life.  

The musical mirrors and includes some of the songs from the original 1971 film and right from the start I couldn’t help thinking how on earth would they be able to replicate all the special effects and cast the many Oompa Loompas  ! The scenery worked really well with very few moveable items, to note just a few things that really set the scenes, we saw the Candy Man’s shop complete with wonka bars, and a high truck created a large bed big enough for all four Grandparents to be seen by the audience. This reminded me in style of the kitchen /bedroom used in Westend version of Billy Elliot. There were also colourful projected images along with a fantastic factory interior and a magical elevator.

Before i move on to speak about the cast congratulations must go to the large production team for making their creative vision a reality. The innovative choreography was absolutely superb throughout and it was totally evident the cast had been rigorously put through their paces. The Midland Concert Orchestra, led by MD Callum Thompson sounded fantastic. I need to talk next about the costumes as they were amazing, each one individually considered for each character and the idea of using puppets for the Oompa Loompa’s put a different spin on the strange looking workers  with green hair as seen in the film.  Director Stephen really had his work cut out with the complexities of the goings on in the factory when the golden ticket winners were invited to the very special once in a lifetime experience so if I may id like to talk about the golden ticket winners, all of whom were extremely credible and well cast.

The show opens where we see The Candy Man, Robbie Love, selling Wonka bars to all those who can afford one, who then have the chance to find a golden ticket and win a visit to Willy Wonka’s mysterious factory, where no one has ever been before. Robbie’s portrayal of both the shop keeper and then Willy Wonka himself was totally convincing and Charlie was so surprised to then be greeted by the same person.

On the night I attended (Tuesday, opening night) James Cowley played the likeable Charlie Bucket. I know for a fact that there was stiff competition for the role, with many young hopefuls attending the audition process where the lads needed to show the production team that they were a triple threat, at such a young age whoever was cast would need great confidence and also ability. I’m sure James and the other Charlie, Theo Traat, both embraced the challenge to learn and develop their stagecraft skills when  performing with everyone on stage in front of the large appreciative audiences, what an amazing experience to entertain over 6000 people.

Chris Fowler played our food loving Augustus Gloop, goodness  how the audience laughed at the long string of sausages he had wrapped round his waist under his clothes. As per the film when on the factory tour Augustus couldn’t help himself from drinking from the chocolate lake only to fall in and to be siphoned  off into some big tubes, lots of dubious noised followed this event and everyone else on stage was seen looking up into the flys with shock until Wonka announced he would be eventually rescued when he got to the next part of the process, on reflection this may have been caramelisation.

Spoilt Russian Veruca Salt was played by Ellen Tozer, her accent never faltered even though im sure there were many moments that were laugh out loud funny.  Ellen had such stage presence and rather than walk she danced across the stage, her  ballet dancing and pretty costume must have  ensured every little girl in the audience would have left the theatre with a wish to be a ballerina. A hi-light for me was when she wanted a squirrel and Veruca well used to getting what she wants, pirouetted off stage with the squirrels who have been sorting the nuts only to see them dancing back on with bits of her dismembered body!

Rachel Richards played the Queen of Pop- Violet Beauregard the gum chewing wannabe celebrity. The roast dinner / desert chewing gum scene was one of the memorable moments of the evening for me. The use of the blue inflatable fat suit that gradually got bigger and bigger as she weebeled across the stage was inspired, she wobbled of stage evidently to get juiced and suddenly there was a loud  bang, followed by many bits of blue rubber and one of her trainers appearing on stage followed by her shocked Dad also strewn with blue bits exclaiming with dismay “She’s Exploded !”it was absolutely hilarious.

Technology geek Mike Teavee was played by Scott McHurley. He enters the chocolate transporter device even though he was warned NOT to do it by Wonka, Mike went in normal size only to then be retrieved by his mom from inside his most favourite place, the TV, he was by then shrunk to the size of a Ken doll who his Mom  lovingly popped  into her handbag for later.

All of the above ‘children’ were played by adults and were accompanied on their visit to the Factory by their parents Sarah Russell was Mrs Gloop, I really enjoyed her song ‘More of Him to Love ‘. Verucas was with her father Mr Salt played by Alex Broadfield, who obviously wanted to please his daughter in ‘When Veruca Says’. Pat Pryce who bought the house down on his every entrance with his facial expressions and show stopping costume played Violet's dad/agent. The fabulous Jo Smith played Mrs Teavee amongst many other roles, I saw her post something on social media about wearing a record number of wigs! which all looked great. Each of the parents had their moment to shine when singing about their children and I loved Jo’s ‘That Little Man of Mine’. Last but not least Mrs Bucket, Charlies Mom, was played by Annabel Pilcher, quite simply Annabel was absolutely perfect in the role especially when singing ‘If Your Father Were Here’.

Charlies Grandparents come next for a mention, all four in bed until Grandpa Joe has to make the momentous effort to actually try and walk after many years in order to be with Charlie on the factory visit. Nick Owenford played Grandpa Joe plus Grandpa George, Grandma Georgina and Grandma Josephine were played by Phil Saunders,Michelle Worthington and Lucy Homer respectively. All of the above made to look much much older than their years with the expert use of wigs and makeup. For the three of them what a dream role, on stage, in bed.

I counted another 28 names in the programme with their supporting dialogue, singing and movement they really did fill the large stage and bought every scene to life. All the cast without exception were outstanding however I couldn’t finish putting my thought to print without mentioning those that were the Oompa Loompas. The clever lighting and puppetry skills were superb, I can only imagine how long the routines took to ensure all the arm movements were synchronised. And as for getting off stage sideways to avoid the audience seeing their legs, this was so well accomplished.

On reflection and reading through my copious notes from the evening, I could go on and on so I think I should summarise by saying in all my 38 years involvement with all aspects of amateur theatre I think Charlie and the Chocolate factory was one, if not the best productions I’ve seen to date. Congratulations to all concerned, you should be very proud as it was truly spectacular.

Thank you once again for allowing me to be involved in a small way and for the invitation to also share my thoughts. Can’t wait for your next production.

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