Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Firstly I’d like to congratulate Winscombe Youth Theatre on surviving 34 years. No  mean feat. It was so good to see so many active members putting their heart and  soul into this production. It was like watching a jig saw puzzle being put together  with so many different elements which all slotted in so nicely together.  My first visit to Churchill Academy and sixth Form. What a terrific space and I must  say bringing your acting area out into the auditorium was a complete winner for  you.  

I loved the choice of songs played whilst everyone took their seats, a perfect  choice of songs connected to sweets. I think I guessed everyone (that’s showing  my age!). There was a terrific buzz in the audience too. The warmth of support was  incredible and we were all there to have a good time and that we certainly did.  Charlie and The Chocolate Factory was one of my favourite books whilst growing  up, and what I liked about this adaption was that it stuck very closely to the book.  

Because of the use of the auditorium the flow of the show was excellent and the  pace maintained throughout. The Set was very imaginative so full of colour,  especially when we moved into Willy Wonka’s factory, exactly what we’d expect  from this story. The projection was put to good use also depicting exactly where  we were in each scene. We were left in no doubt what was happening.  

Congratulations to the costume team. My goodness this was no easy task.  Everyone looked just right the colour was a real feast for the eyes. I thought the  Oompa-Loompas were fantastic down to every last detail. And Willy Wonka looked  stunning. This was a terrific job which I know wouldn’t have been easy.  

The Presenters did a great job of setting the scene. This was very nicely  choreographed as there were only a couple of mics between you all. I think only  once did someone not end up with a mic but they projected well. All their  entrances and exits were very slick and considering this was the first performance,  I thought everyone in the company maintained a focus of where they were meant  to be. A sign they were very well drilled in rehearsal. Any furniture that needed to  come on and off happened very swiftly. I thought the boat was very well done with  great imagination and I loved the scene in the bed with the Grandparents. Very  funny.  

Lighting and sound were very on cue, so no complaints there. 

The story really came to life when we met our lead actors.  

Charlie 

There was a really nice energy about your performance and I thought your diction  was excellent and even though you were mic’d you had a good use of projection.  Really nicely played and we were all rooting for you. Well done.  

Augustus Gloop  

You created a well defined character which you maintained throughout even when  you weren’t part of the dialogue, and I liked the accent. Nicely thought through.  

Veruca Salt  

One of my favourite characters in the book. What a little madam. I thought you  played her just right. I assume this was good acting skills! You also maintained  your character throughout and were perfectly costumed. Very enjoyable.  

Violet Beauregard 

The avid gum chewer. What a great stage presence you have. Very Good actress. I  liked how you made every line of dialogue mean something. I thought your  downfall of eating the experimental gum was hilarious. Well costumed and  completely focused. Well done.  

Mike Teavee  

Another well defined character from the book. Good projection throughout and  very well focused. Your demise also was very very funny. Very enjoyable.  

Willy Wonka  

What a great personality you have. Exactly what was needed for a role like this. I  felt everything came together for you. The make up and the excellent costume.  You brought just the right energy to Wonka and allowed the eccentricity to come  through. Most enjoyable to watch.  

Oompa-Loopas  

You all actually made the show for me. You were all so enjoyable to watch. You all  kept up the story telling through song and made the movement look very well  choreographed whilst maintaining your characters. A good job well done. Brilliant.  

There were so many great characterisations in this show I’m sorry there were too  many of you to all get a mention but I did think this show was very well cast all the  parents and Grandparents all did a remarkable job and really brought the story to  life. The choreography played to the strengths of the club and was extremely well  drilled. It was always interesting to watch and you created some wonderful  pictures. 

All in all, this was a well directed show which couldn’t have been an easy task with  such a huge cast and so many scenes. There was such a lot of work gone into this  production it’s a shame you only get to perform for one day albeit a dress/technical  run and two performances. I take my hat off to everyone I hope you all had a well  earned rest on the Sunday.  

Thank you so much for inviting me and the lovely warm welcome. I look forward to  seeing more of your productions in the future.  

Best wishes 

Mike x

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