Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical’, is based on the book by Roald Dahl which has been made into films featuring Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp in the role of Willy Wonka the eccentric owner of the iconic chocolate factory. 

What a pleasure and privilege to be invited to two performances of the MOBs production and to see both sets of casts bringing the story colourfully to life.  I’m sure there is something ‘in the water’ in Retford to produce so many talented confident youngsters, as watching you forget the tender ages of some of the principal performers.

Directed by Sarah Mitchell, this production is as enjoyable and satisfying as a Wonka Whipple Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight.  Sarah has given the opportunity for every cast member to shine, showcasing their strengths as they tell the story of Charlie and his incredible journey to fulfil his dreams of becoming a chocolate inventor.  Becca White provided the choreography which really dazzled particularly in the Oompa- Loompas scenes.  Pete Lack was Musical Director keeping the live orchestra together for the challenging and relentless score which switched effortlessly from different genres ranging from hip hop to Bavarian yodelling.  

The Charlie Bucket’s in the story were played by Darcy Parkin and Isla Merrills and the decision was made to adapt the dialogue to use female pronouns throughout.  Darcy played Charlie with a wide-eyed wonder, enthusiastically sniffing the chocolate bars and almost hyperventilating with excitement.  She had a positive attitude to her character which we picked up on through her refusal to become disheartened as each child won a golden ticket.   I loved her relationships with both Grandpa Joe and Willy Wonka and she had a powerful singing voice used well in her duet with Wonka.  Isla played Charlie with a feisty determination showing she was more than a match for the spoilt winners and even Wonka himself! Isla had a magnetic stage presence dominating the stage and a beautiful singing voice. I loved her ‘Letter from Charlie Bucket’ as lying on her tummy she listed all the inventions she had dreamed up.  Both girls were excellent in the part and displayed acting skills well beyond their ages. 

Mrs Bucket was played by Naomi Earl in a sweet, sensitive role as Charlie’s long-suffering mum, torn between trying to keep a roof over everyone’s head and keeping her daughter’s feet firmly on the floor.  Naomi played a gentle character full of admiration for Charlie highlighted poignantly in the beautifully sung ‘If your father were here’ recognising where Charlie got her boundless imagination from.  

The grandparents, (Adwyn Roberts, Bethany Bailey, Cerys Pritchard, Jasmine Martin) were fun popping out from under the covers like geriatric meercats and I loved Grandma Josephine’s pink curlers and Grandpa George’s Cerys long, grey beard and witty humour.  Grandpa Joe, Charlie’s mentor and teller of tall tales was a dual role from Hermione Hunt and Jack Hilditch.  Hermione had a pitch perfect American accent and a strong sense of physical comedy in her dance routines wobbling precariously around the stage in her determination to accompany Charlie to the factory.  Jack played the part with a twinkle in his eye showing his natural comedy skills and again good physical comedy and both executed impressive heel clips! 

The golden ticket winners were the worst excesses of obnoxious childhood behaviour, and these traits were played to the hilt.  Firstly, greedy Augustus Gloop (Ava Softley-Robins and Jack German) and his odiously proud mother (Lydia Hamer-Mosley and Elisha Lucas) were accompanied by a chorus of yodelling dancers in traditional Bavarian costume.  Ava and Jack were both equally mischievous as they ignored Wonka resulting in them tumbling into the chocolate river.  Both girls had a different approach to the part of Mrs Gloop reflecting their relationship with their sausage guzzling son.  Lydia was practically bursting with pride as she sang about ‘More of him to Love’ while Elisha had a mania almost teetering on madness as she grinned at the audience.  She also had excellent dance skills.  Both girls performed very well.  

Next came spoilt Russian diva Veruca Salt played with pitch perfect comic timing by Eliza Wilson and Libby Larcombe accompanied by her down-trodden father (Josh Oprych.) Both girls were wonderful as the petulant pouty princesses.  Libby particularly had a scowl that could curdle milk, and I loved the way she beat up the ballerinas and squealed with delight as she chased the squirrels.  Eliza had a perfect Russian accent and her fury when Wonka said ‘niet’ was hilarious I loved the way she smoothed and fluffed her tutu and tortured her poor father!  Josh was good as the weakling oligarch Mr Salt begging and pleading with Wonka to give Veruca a squirrel in his cod Russian accent. 

Then we have the Queen of Pop Violet Beauregarde (Grace Nelson and Chloe Veitch) accompanied by her media hungry father played by Charlie Buxton.  Violet was the epitome of the social media obsessed teenage nightmare posing for videos for her fans in a purple velour tracksuit. Chloe showed she was a sassy madam with her bubbly dance routine, and she had good vocals. Grace owned the stage strutting around, pouting and sneering with a ‘face not bothered attitude’ with her powerhouse vocals showing she meant business.  I loved her fighting with Veruca jostling for attention.  Both girls’ comeuppance as an exploding blueberry using an inflatable suit was very funny.  

Finally, Mike Teavee (Isaac Braithwaite and Kat Mason) the video games obsessed despot with his head permanently glued to his screen.  Kat was good as the tiny tearaway constantly berating his mother for being behind the times.  Isaac had a sardonic scornful attitude proud of the fact that he’d hacked into Wonka’s software to earn his place calling him a ‘loser.’  He was accompanied by his gin obsessed stuck in the 50s mum played by Abbey Mitchell and Evie Adkin.  Evie had good dance skills and sang her witty song well.  Abbey handled the face-paced lyrics very well and had lots of fun with her character even flirting with Wonka. 

The principals were supported by Mrs Green played by Victoria Needham selling rotten vintage vegetables who performed one of the quickest adlibs of the night.  The roving reporters Cherry (Mia Todd and Jerry (Cameron Duffy) performed well with Mia having the right amount of over-the-top media presentation and some very funny hats.  There was also a host of ensemble playing day-glo Oompa-Loompas lecturing the audience, squirrels, ballet dancers, yodellers and gum chomping divas. 

Last, but not least, Willy Wonka himself was played by Toby German and Matthew Heard.  Toby played Wonka like a genius showman with a slightly unhinged manic grin. Breaking the 4th wall, he directed much of his dialogue directly at the audience showing his exasperation at the children ignoring his half-hearted warnings.  Toby sang well and showed off his obvious dance skills soft shoe shuffling across the stage.  Matthew played the part like a witty raconteur sharing inside jokes with the parents that went over the top of the children’s heads and mimicking the children’s whiny voices.  He had a genuine fondness for Charlie despite teasing her as he saw himself in her.  Matthew had a deep voice like melted chocolate, and he handled the fast-paced patter song ‘Strike that Reverse it’ well with some nifty dance moves.  Both Wonka’s performed well holding the show together as even when they were off stage they were still in view of the audience.  The final scene in the elevator with Charlie was wonderful. 

The set relied on the use of a huge video screen, which was also the backdrop to the story for example, when Charlie threw her paper airplane, we saw it sail across the screen.  It was also the source of the of the big factory reveal featuring rainbow bright sweets and animated chocolate waterfalls prompting ‘oos’ and applause from the audience.  There was also a ingenious TV effect featuring lightning flashes and sound effects. 

Powerful lighting from Vinnie Hemmings ensured the stage vibrated with coloured light adding to the drama and spotlights from William ensured principal cast members were well illuminated.  Larger pieces of set, such as the grandparent’s bed, chocolate shop and the great glass elevator, all added to the story moving seamlessly on and off stage using clever lighting effects.  

Costumes were bright and colourful reflecting the personality or country of each character. I liked Mrs Teavee’s 50s dress and pinnie, the pink and green Oompa-Loompas and the mini me Charlie dressed in Wonka’s trademark hat, waistcoat and tailcoat.  

Well done to Sarah and her talented team of creatives for this dazzling production which managed to keep the essence of the story as the true heart of the show. Thank you to the chaperones who are the unsung heroes behind the scenes without who there would not be a show. 

Each member on stage should be proud of their performance and the friendships and nurturing support is evident in all they do. 

Thank you for another overwhelming reception and the lovely warm welcome Retford always provide us with.  I was delighted to meet and chat with director Sarah and choreographer Becca before the show and chairperson and Production Manager, Carolyn White and President Betty Teanby.  I am also pleased to say that the colourful programme also fulfils criteria for entry into the programme competition. 

Well done to all and I look forward to seeing your next production Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in July 2026.

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