Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory written by Roald Dahl 61 years ago and still popular today having been turned into a film twice, a musical and even a ride at Alton Towers, it ranks as one of the most popular of his books.

BCMCS not frightened to take on the challenge of bringing this show to stage, with the use of a large video wall to help create the magic. We are taken on a journey showing outside the factory, The Sweetshop, Wonka’s Office, The Buckets house complete with large raised bed set Stage Left to fit all four grandparents in and the  fisheye view on screen of the town lit up and in the distance the Chocolate Factory. As we are aware of how the film works when entering the factory, the video wall came into its own showing the Chocolate Room, Mixing Room and the various others Wonka travels through. The Chocolate Room with look-a-likey giant Chuppa lollies with lights on and candy canes on stage gave it a magical look. The TV Room with clever graphics featuring Mike Teavee walking through the different channels displayed. The lift used with hydraulics at the end again adding to the magic. Various sets were then brought on to enhance the scenes and aid the flow of the show. Two giant golden tickets with lighting were at either side of the stage to the front. Steps either side of the front of the stage used as entrances and exit. Minimal props were used throughout not least the longest list I have ever seen, which could probably have wrapped around the Albert Halls. Scenery Design and Supplier Scenic Projects. Technical Director Debbie Wilson. Assistant Stage Manager Debs Lyons. Stage Crew, David Walton, Andy Parmar, Toby Payne, James Casterton, and Chris Grady. Properties by Janet Hardman and Kath Cheetham. The sound was unobtrusive as should be, Sound Design and Operation by Lea Royse and Elodie Perrier. Lighting really helped enhanced the show with mood and atmosphere. Lighting Design and Operation Aaron J Dootson. Costumes were delightful and colourful; I liked the muted colours of the town folk outside the factory at the beginning. The drabness of the Bucket family and the colour co-ordination of the child and parent. I have to say, I did love the cute but slightly sinister Squirrels and I have PTSD from the demise of Veruca Salt being ripped apa. Costumes by Charades Theatrical Costume Hire and Kathryn Wilkinson. Make-up and wigs all in keeping under the guidance of Ursula Greenhalgh and Team

Choreographer was in the capable hands of Matthew Gavin and he had a large ensemble to manoeuvre around the stage using creative tableaux set in shadow. A lovely movement sequence with Mrs Bucket in If Your Father Was Here. Musical Director was David Wilson who is celebrating 30 years with BCMCS and Jennie Pearce was Assistant Musical Director and Rehearsal Pianist. With an eleven-piece Orchestra to bring out the magic and toe tapping numbers that rang around the theatre.

Director Gary Harvey must have had fun creating this show, I mean not every day you get to work with squirrels, giant sweets and such a large cast. The stage was used well and some great touches added to create a lovely show. Great physical theatre used through the maze room.

The Ensemble worked well filling in various roles including dancers, Umpa Lumpas, yes! and the Squirrels.

Carole McGillivray played the objectionable Mrs Green - don’t buy anything from her - you will get more than you bargained for! Danielle Gavin playing Cherry Sundae  and Jacob Harvey playing Jerry Jubilee as the slick TV presenters. The grandparents in the bed were Fran Shrinks as Grandma Georgina, Martin Miller played Grandpa George, Nicola Crompton-Hill played Grandma Josephine and her husband was Jo Davies as Grandpa Joe. Great personalities which reminded me of cartoon characters in a good way. Grandpa Joe is the only grandparent to get out of bed as he accompanies Charlie on the factory tour. Full of his wild stories, Joe gave a convincing performance and his energy and chemistry with Charlie really worked. Well played.

Mrs Bucket was played by Beth Alcock pitched just right and voice. We got she had the weight on her back trying to keep things together for the family and the only one working. Lovely. David Wilson takes on the role of Mr Salt complete with Russian accent and his annoying daughter as should be Veruca Salt played by Sienna Parkinson. I want! I want! who gets more than she bargained for delivered to her by Squirrels. Yes! them again.

Matthew Gavin played Mr Beauregarde the self-appointed promoter of his daughter never missing a beat to tell us how amazing she is and just as perplexed as us at what happened to her. Jasmine O’Neil as Violet Beauregarde was a delight, great energy and sass and delivered. Lewis Parmar takes on the role of Mike Teavee obsessed with playing games and having no time for the real world, he got his comeuppance in the invisible corridors. Hilarious. His mum Mrs Teavee played by Vicki Wilson taking her ‘mummy water’ with her in the factory likes a drink and who wouldn’t with a son like Mike. Vicki brought out the subtle comedy in Mrs Teavee and it worked. Great energy Vicki.

Nick McCartney played Augustas Gloop complete with German accent and a love for sausages and chocolate - unfortunately the love of chocolate was his downfall - he was the first winner to get it. His mother Mrs Gloop was played by Mandy Miller. If ever an actress looked to be having fun on stage and loving every minute it was Mandy. Funny! great character.

On the night I was there Isaac Farnhill took on the role of Charlie Bucket. Isaac had a natural innocent look that worked alongside all the big look at me characters that went on the factory tour and he worked well with Joe as his grandpa.  Harry Dunning played Charlie on alternative nights. It was a lovely moment with Wonka when the went up into the night sky in the lift. Wonka was played by Dan Sheader who worked his magic throughout the show interacting with the other objectional greedy characters. It’s not often I mention the pre-show recording but it really set the atmosphere at the beginning. Dan gave an all-round performance adding in humour and threat with a dash of silliness. Characterisation and musical theatre - the Golden ticket. Well done.

Thank you for the invite and hospitality from my guest Rachel and I. BCMCS must be proud of this production and great to do a show that incorporates the youth section.

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5 Rep

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