Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Sometimes a dose of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is just what you need to bring cheery songs, sweetness and a kaleidoscope of colours to your life. But it’s not just some welcome escape, it’s a reminder that there is hope for goodness and kindness winning in a world which is intent on showcasing the Mike Teavees, Veruca Salts, Augustus Gloops and especially the Violet Beauregardes being successful at the expense of the integrity, meekness and honesty of Charlie Bucket. Here, in this spectacular show by Worthing Musical Theatre Company, we see Charlie win. And we all love it. 

This really was an all out spectacular show, where consideration has been given to all aspects: from the chocolate raffle to the announcement to the staging of the reporters through the auditorium with the news of the Golden Ticket winners, involving the audience and inspiring awe in little faces. The stage was filled with lights and colours which enhance the mood of each scene be it dowdy and cold with blues and greens, to the pinks and warmer colours of Wonka involvement. The shapes of the funnels of lights upstage and mid stage were really lovely. When the actors were in the front of the stage in various scenes they were sometimes lit well and sometimes not, which could just have been a tech issue. There were sometimes spotlights at the front and once Charlie subtly moved to find his spotlight which was really well done. 

The projections at the back added enormous fun to the show. The characters interacted with them really well, such as Augustus Gloop being sucked up into the chocolate tube. There were some scenes curiously blank which looked like they ought to have had projections as there was a blank screen but nothing on there: again, probably a tech issue which was out of the company’s control. However, these moments did drop the pace in act two which resulted in the audience dropping in attention, meaning the actors had to work extra hard in the following segments. It all worked well when the pace kept going, and well done for the extra effort the actors put in. 

The music was superb. Congratulations to Musical Director Daniel Payne and the entire orchestra. They held the whole production with seeming effortlessness which clearly showed all the preparation that had gone into this show. In support were many sound effects and audio cues working really well together. There were some mic glitches but again tech issues are impossible to control, the important thing is that the cast and crew carry on with diligence and professionalism and this happened every single time: they carried on regardless, as if nothing was wrong at all, which helped the audience feel at ease about any hitches. Super job. 

This production needs costuming from top to bottom and these were fantastic. The dowdiness of all the townsfolk including the wigs and makeup, the media folk, and the glitzy other winners. The unmistakeable talents of Chris Horlock were on show here throughout. Cherry’s wig was especially fantastic, an absolute hoot. There was such wonderful attention to detail in the whole cast including the blackened teeth on Grandma Josephine. The wardrobe department deserves praise for all the costuming: Georgia-clia Ostinelli and team, including the added tutu on Mr Salt which was great fun. Cherry’s suit using the old TV test screen cards was absolutely fantastic. 

And of course, watching a show, it’s the actors who hold it all, and wow what a Charlie we had in Eoin Pickering. Impossibly small, beautiful characterisation, knowing every line perfectly. The balancing point between vulnerability, sweetness, innocence and being absolutely real was perfect. He held every moment on stage, quite often on his own, with the sweetest singing voice in his leads and solos. We absolutely believed his Charlie, and the journey he was on. We even believed when he was the only one who felt sorry for the other children who all got their, often literal, ‘just desserts’. Never too sweet, we cheered him on and whooped at the end for him.  

With so many actors on stage it’s impossible to single everyone out, but there were some standout performances. The other children were brilliantly cast, giving attitude and sass to all their characters, even though larger than life, they gave them authenticity. The singing was pitch perfect too which is so important, and they performed the songs as their characters which was absolutely the right thing. The words in the songs are so important and clearer diction in some songs would have made them even better, for example in Violet Beauregarde’s “The Queen of Pop”, as Matilda Mae Thompson’s vocal range is wonderful and seriously impressive. Mention should go to Jojo O’Brien as Mrs Bucket who was absolutely superb. Her performance of “If Your Father Were Here” was genuine and packed with emotion, really reaching the audience in a welcome real and grounded moment, and her voice is sublime. She shone in all her scenes. 

There were some great moments in the show as well which stand out as pictures. The image of Mrs Gloop flailing about on the floor like she was a fly and unable to get up was hilarious, and the squirrels with their riders were amazing! The little sneer and eye roll of the riders on the squirrels when chased by Veruca was a lovely detail, all the Oompa Loompas in their colourful wigs all dancing together with such happy energy was gorgeous. The five dancers and their choreography was lovely, Violet Dean in the centre with graceful extensions and beautifully finished lines was especially captivating. Choreography and staging throughout was lovely, with a great use of space. 

Director Robert Tremayne deserves every praise for bringing this huge undertaking to the stage, creating this show and leading what clearly was a team of people who were perfectly cast in every role, filled the stage with happy energy and clearly loved what they were doing so much it exuded to the audience. Congratulations to the whole team for such an uplifting and timely show, which left a standing ovation and happy smiling people all the way home. 

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