Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Manor Operatic continue to perform tradition pantomimes over the Xmas period along with spectacular musicals during May in the iconic City Hall venue in Sheffield. The City Hall being a traditional concert hall creates many problems for the production teams to overcome. The pure stage vastness not simply in width but also height, having to create methods of flying flats, creating off stage space to facilitate the sizeable set pieces, the pure enormity of lighting and visual effects, projection/video walls and more. The production team headed up by Richard Bradford along with Linda Kelly must have many sleepless nights in creating such epic productions. They must live life not seeing problems only solutions, not to be put off by the aforementioned difficulties but having the vision and knowledge to achieve their and Manor Operatic theatre dreams. Quite often when producing musicals taken from films, that so many have seen, this presents numerous hurdles. The creation of the magic of the musical brought to the stage, the critical casting, the ever changing scenes along with numerous costume changes requires a full team of an unseen crew without whom these productions could not exist. This production had it all. Add to this your Musical Director Andy Collis who clearing should be delighted with the results of excellent singing throughout.

Willy Wonka wanting to see the world outside of his magical chocolate factory becomes a store keeper seeing the good and bad in people and the start of a bond between himself and Charlie Bucket .Charlie coming from a very poor family cleverly depicted by his grandparents, all  four in the bed during much of Act 1 along with his hard working Mother striving to keep the family going. Dylan Lambert as Willy Wonka gave a sterling performance throughout. A role requiring the ability to show all forms of emotion, bitterness and kindness alike, on stage almost throughout the production with total stage presence and a powerful singing voice. Charlie Bucket , a large part for anyone to undertake and wisely a part doubled up. Both Rafe Newton and Jasper King shared this role, we had the pleasure of seeing Rafe but I’m sure Jasper will also command the stage during the shows he’s in. Rafe you should be thrilled with your all round performance, you owned the stage with your every move, clear vocals and confident speech. Well done. As Act 1 evolves we see the introduction of each of the five gold ticket winners. Augustus Gloop by Sam Symonds enjoying every sausage he could acquire and his Mother,  Mrs Gloop by Emily McGeoch. Veruca Salt by Evie Bradford showing her outstanding dance ability being on point for long periods and her Father Mr Salt by Chris Hanlon. Mike Teavee by Stuart Daniel Box obsessed by electronic gadgetry and his Mother Mrs Teavee by Emily Mae Hoyland. Violet Beauregarde by Katie Dolling the gum chewing wannabe popstar and her Father Mr Beauregarde by Jon Warburton. Finally the fifth gold ticket is found by Charlie Bucket, the quiet, poor, polite unassuming young boy played jointly by Rafe Newton and Jasper King and their Grandpa Joe played by Callum Fellows. Each of the ticket winners from varying countries, cleverly introduced by Jerry Jubilee by Lee Stott and aided by Cherry Sundae by Tasmin Mohammed with  video wall projections from their country of origin whilst showing off all their varying degrees of characters. Excessive eating, I want it now Daddy !! , Queen of Pop, techy mad and unassuming lover of chocolate combinations. Brilliant performances throughout with excellent scene differences interjected with well performed ensemble pieces. This production had everything and more, as the second Act develops and the five families make their way round the factory we see one after another youngster break the rules and disappear, each scene once again cleverly separated leaving Charlie and Wonka talking of the future. The excellent ensemble appeared and reappeared at each scene switch within the journey round the factory, the Oompa Loompa’s, in outstanding fun costumes lit the stage with well drilled choreography each time they appeared. There were many other cameos by cast members and whilst not mentioned by name, no less important to the overall performance. We mustn’t forget the young Charlies by Haiden Atkins-Brennen and shared with Theo Moulster , along with Mr Bucket by Leo Appleton and the hard working Mrs Bucket by Lisa England. The grandparents Simon Hance, Fern Lynch-Bowers and Elise Lucia and cameo mini scenes from Mrs Green by Becks Myczko. The final journey in the glass lift was a true piece of theatre magic.

The lighting, sound effects, visuals and sound were all of the highest order adding to this excellent production. The writing says this is an Amateur production, well there was nothing Amateur about it.

The Candy Man did achieve it all and the production was a true example of Pure Imagination.

In Dylan Lambert’s performance I saw hints of the Greatest Showman and when he and Charlie disappeared into the factory a real moment of emotion.

Thank you for the excellent hospitality from your FOH looking after not only me but also my two grandchildren.

If you haven’t booked don’t miss this excellent Manor Production.

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.