Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

This show is certainly an ambitious project for any society, but Centre Stage rose to the challenge and proved that with determination, a great cast, a director with a vision and a dedicated production team, anything is possible. 

From the opening scene at the factory gates to the glass elevator rising into the clouds, this was an amazing production which not only took us into a world of ‘Pure Imagination’ but did so spectacularly.

The strong cast was headed up by Steve Murray as Willy Wonka. I have seen this actor in many plays but not, to my knowledge, in a leading role in a musical.  With a fine singing voice and a relaxed attitude throughout, he effortlessly lulled us into believing he really was Willy Wonka. A terrific performance.

Alex Griffiths was Charlie Bucket and for the most part I think he played the role well.  Diction was good and his strong singing voice coped well with the vocals. His performance did though lack expression at times which was a pity.  I would love to have seen him break out into whoops of childish delight at claiming the last golden ticket.  I’m sure that with experience he will learn to relax more into a role. That apart, well done.

Emily Bonfield simply oozed confidence as Violet Beauregarde.  Singing seemed to be her forte, but she also displayed some good acting, as did Cahir Williams as the thoroughly spoilt and quite obnoxious Veruca Salt.  Well done to both these young actresses.  

Good performances also from Oliver Reid as the small screen obsessed Mike Teavee and Luke Turley, as Augustus Gloop, refusing to be separated from his string of sausages.

Sam Barker, Liam Manley, James Player and Jacqui Player stepped up as parents to the gold ticket holders and Grandpa Joe, played by George Bellamy, showed us he still had a spring in his step as he accompanied Charlie to the Factory. But it was Ella Rowsell, as Mrs Bucket, who really shone with her beautiful solo “If Your Father Were Here”.

The story of course has a dark side. After all, this is Roald Dahl.  We watched as Augustus Gloop was swallowed up by a vat of chocolate, an inflatable blueberry encased poor Violet, Veruca’s limbs were held high for all to see and Mike was reduced to a tiny version of himself, much to the delight of his mother who declared she had her baby back.

This brings me nicely to the Oompa Loompas.  I just loved watching these well drilled young performers in their dungarees and green wigs.  Their routines were very well carried out and what’s more, they were all smiling, which was great to see. Very well done to all of them.  

The finale was amazing with gasps from the audience as the glass lift began to rise.

With scenery and costumes all made in house, and to a very high standard, this really was community theatre at its best.  The hours working behind the scenes are so often taken for granted but knowing, for example, that every sweet in the candy store had been made and wrapped by hand, makes you realise what a labour of love this show was.

The orchestra provided excellent accompaniment and sound was well balanced.  There were a few lighting blips, mainly with the follow spot not being where it should on a couple of occasions. Probably not even noticed by the audience but I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I didn’t point it out.

Golden tickets in some of the programmes and packets of chocolate buttons, specially packed for the show and given out to the children, were lovely touches.

Congratulations to everyone involved with this production and thank you to Director Victoria and Chairman Claire for sparing me some of your precious time. We had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

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