Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

From backstage, to the cast, performers, set design and build, lighting and sound, has everyone from the Ormiston Victory Academy involved, and looking through the programme for this production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a very tricky show to stage, I must have counted upwards of a hundred pupils and staff involved in some way.

Everything in this production had been meticulously thought through, the set containing some very impressive props to portray the story and golden ticket winners’ subsequent journey through the chocolate factory. From the opening candy store, to the home of the Bucket family, then some highly effective gates at the entrance to the factory. The set continued to impress inside the factory, including the chocolate fountain and numerous various colourful pieces to enhance the story as it unfolded. Costumes throughout were outstanding, especially the squirrels, whose bushy tails and heads were a little scary, but of course that is the point.

The 9-piece Charlie band, led by MD Helen Curson, sounded fantastic, and the crew were on and off with some very tricky set changes, especially in Act Two, like a well-oiled machine. The whole production was a huge team effort, and I can only commend Directors Lucy Dalgleish and Dave Watson on the vast amount of work put in. To top it all off, the whole cast were brilliant. There were so many highlights in the performances across the board, they were all so good.

Leading as Willy Wonka, Harry Brookes commanded the stage, displaying a maturity way beyond his years as he tackled the complex, ambiguous and often dark character of Wonka. His appearance at the factory gates huddled down and hidden beneath a long coat, with the voice of an old man, to then transform into the instantly recognisable classic apparel of Wonka in purple waistcoat, long tailcoat and top hat was very well delivered. Harry’s vocals for The Candy Man and Pure Imagination were also strong.

As the demure Charlie Bucket, Spencer Kelly was very well cast and the contrast between him and the other golden ticket winners was spot on. The family of Charlie were played endearingly by Charlie Casey-Buckland as Grandpa Joe, Imogen Buckley as Grandma Josephine, Lucy Skelton as Grandma Georgina, and Brooklyn Winterbourn as Grandpa George. As Charlie’s Mother, Mrs Bucket, Emma Howard was outstanding, another performance displaying a maturity beyond their years-warm, kind, and lovely vocals for my favourite number “If Your Father Were Here.”  On alternative nights, the role of Mrs Bucket was played by Jess Wild.

As for the other golden tickets winners, all of them were brilliant and they had all grasped the essence of the characters perfectly. Eve Dixon, as Augustus Gloop, was hilarious, great fascial expressions, and with Tallis Mitchell as Mrs Gloop, delivered the brilliant “More of him to love” with the company. Jenny Lopes was the “Queen of Pop,” Violet Beuregarde, great moves, and Adriel Nyamupfukudza as her Father, very funny when Violet expanded rapidly and exploding after eating the prototype chewing gum. Ella Hurren was Mike Teavee, yet another fantastic characterisation, as was her mother, Mrs Teavee, Sophie Howes was amazing with the 50’s look and constant grin. Finally, Emily Fulcher as the spoilt Veruca Salt, and her father Mr Salt, played by Patrick Kemp. Amazing casting again, Emily light on her feet throughout and some nice ballet in “Veruca’s Nutcracker: Sweet!”

Finally, special mention to the 15 others that made up the Oompah Loompas and Squirrel’s, you were all incredible and the Oompa Loopa Song was a real highlight, amazing performances by all on their knees- the audience loved it, as did I. My congratulations to Directors Lucy Dalgliesh and Dave Watson, and all involved- the standing ovation received at the end was thoroughly deserved.

 

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