Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

It was lovely to be back in Wadebridge School on a Saturday afternoon waiting with anticipation to view another one of your productions. The entrance was buzzing with members of your audience purchasing merchandise before being welcomed into the school hall.  

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a well-known story by Ronald Dahl written in 1964 and beloved by many generations. This book was ideal to be made into films firstly in 1971, then 2003 and lastly 2023 and if you ask people their favourite Willy Wonka the answer will give you an idea of their age. Subsequently the original stage musical premiered in 2013 with further adaptations following on.

When seated in the hall we were greeted with a projected image of ‘Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ on the curtain. It was immediately evident that your fantastic stage designers had been to work. The front of the stage with steps down to the hall was purple with yellow industrial beams with added decoration of candy twists and flowers. Stage right was set the ‘small, impoverished, two-room wooden cottage’ just as described by the author himself with a simple heater/cooker with flue that protruded through the roof. The top storey reached by stairs on the right contained one bed that housed the four grandparents and the downstairs a chair with cushion, table and bowls was where Charlie and his mum lived. Stage left set in the corner was a shop painted in red and white with a blue and white door both were adorned with a ‘W’. The shelves were stacked with many filled containers and an old-fashioned screen. On the counter top was a vintage till and Wonka bars. The opening scene set in front of a black backdrop was set across the stage the most beautifully, detailed and decorated cream factory gates. The iconic metal gates were set centre stage with Wonka above them and pillars holding them up and set both sides were arched half metal windows. The structure had crossed candy canes and purple and yellow ‘W’s.  When the curtain opened the audience gasped to see the set. The team had created the illusions of the various areas required for the untimely removal of the children during the performance. With purple flats set across the back and two additional ones set either side of the stage all edged in the same industrial yellow beams. These flats were dressed in various cogs/decoration and candy canes. Two copper cylinders with pipes joining them and disappearing into the wall were on stage right. There were two steps of steps set either side of the piece de resistant a moving elevator. The set for Mike TV was imaginative.  Every time I come to one of your productions, I am in awe of your stage crew’s ability to change a school hall into an exceptional stage set in such a short time. Many congratulations.

The larger props used during the show were carefully thought out and add detail to scenes. The shopping trolley was carefully covered with labels and filled with created veg and Wonka chocolates. The spherical Violet with additional appendages followed by the exploding confetti cannon was brilliant. The gaming chair for Mike was ideal, the long string of sausages for Augustus, the Russian pull apart puppet for Veruca and the long contract were great.   The personal props used by your cast members were carefully managed.

There were two banks of lights set in the hall, on stage and follow spots at the back. Two sets of speakers with bass bins with either side of the hall with additional large speakers.  The soundtrack was delivered sensitively and with the children’s radio mics well balanced it allowed text and lyrics to be projected and the monitor set on the stage ensured the cast could hear the tracks. Your technicians are excellent at their jobs and add to the performance. One effect I would like to mention was the simple use of the follow spots on the mirror ball when Charlie was dreaming about his dad it was spectacular and I’m sure affected many audience members.

I realise I am repeating myself but I watch many shows during the year and it amazes me every year what you as a team are able to create with a group of 7 - 17-year-old young people. Every characteristic of the performance shines out it is evident that those members on the stage are confident and thoroughly enjoying performing.  Your creative team led by your director’s whose vision is unbelievable obviously jell wonderfully and use their own multi-faceted skills to encourage and inspire every member on the stage. The direction of the show ensured a production which was delivered with good pace, smooth transitions and well-disciplined entrances and exits all to audience’s enjoyment.  Outstanding.

Your company are extremely lucky to have the services of such a gifted musical director.  She has the ability to ensure that every member of your company has the chance to demonstrate their ability when performing. She uses her skills to teach the variety of song in the chosen score, some with complex harmonies to a very high standard. I am in awe of her talent!

What a myriad of brilliant genres of dance your choreographer taught your team this year from dances related to the particular areas the first four winners travelled from with additional elements like Augustus sausages like a maypole and Mike’s gaming chair. There were great set pieces when the Oompa Loompas arrived following the related incidents. Veruca’s ballet dance with the squirrels when she didn’t get what she wanted was brilliant. Granpa Joe stumbling when he had climbed down from his bed after 45 years were believable. All those involved were well drilled and on point. In fact, all the routines created whether general or specific were exceptional. One sets of moves I would like to mention was when Charlie dance with his dad and Mrs Bucket sang it was heart breaking and magical all rolled into one.

As always, your costume team worked its miracles. I always feel I should count how many outfits you provide for a show because those on stage seem to be constantly changing. Time had been taken to ensure the outfits the Buckets wore were distressed as befitted their poor working-class status, although Grandpa Joe’s military jacket showed the importance of the visit.  Willy Wonka’s outfit was well fitting and clearly distinguished between the Candy Man and the great entrepreneur with jacket and top hat. As the winners were acknowledging their costumes reflected their origins as did the dancers who performed with them.  Augustus Germany roots led to lederhosen and dirndl skirts, Veruca’s pink ballet dress was reflected in her group of dancers. Violet’s purple stretch velvet dance track suit ideal for the expansion later with crown was joined by dancers in purple, white and turquoise shell suits with fluorescent strips to represent chewing gum for their routine and Mike Teevee’s cheer leaders were great.  The parents of each of the first winners were appropriately attired to reflect their status.  The Squirrels were simple dressed in trousers and long-sleeved top with furry waistcoats and ears. The Oompa Loompas white, red and green uniform stood out as they carried out their duties with changes in colour with changes in duty.  Mrs Green’s outfit was ideal and I liked the way that you clothed those portraying the tv announcers, photographers and other adults in slightly different outfits with appropriate accessories to distinguish them from others.

When we were seated in the hall, we realised that there were two couples already present in the top story of the Bucket’s home. They were bedecked with grey wigs and wrapped up in a variety of blankets. Grandpa Joe, Grandma Josephine, Grandpa George and Grandma Georgina were Charlie’s grandparents they appeared to sleep a little, knit a little and delivered their text and song lyrics with feeling.  They provided some lovely comic moments with each character having defined attributes and they created great dynamics.  Well done all.

In ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ the story is driven by three main characters, Willy Wonka, Charlie Bucket and Grandpa Joe. Each role requires a specific set of talents to achieve a believable character and a touch of magic. The first of these taking on the role of the eponymous Willy Wonka needed to create two distinct characters namely the Candy man and the eccentric great man himself. A feat for an adult but your choice of actor was outstanding he had the ability to mix humour, derision, eccentricity and quirkiness. His clear dialogue, rich singing voice, dancing ability, physical theatre and comic timing were on point and I loved his knowing looks at the audience and change of voice when working with the other players. Nothing seemed to faze him and his confident delivery of ‘The Candy Man’ opened the show with a bang. All his musical numbers were exceptional I enjoyed the tongue in cheek elements in the songs when the winners left but ‘Strike that Reverse It’, ‘Pure Imagination’ and ‘The View from Here’ were complex songs which he sang with aplomb. A true tour de force performance.

What a kind hearted character Charlie Bucket was, born into a poor family but with dreams of better things for them all.  He was selfless, and owned a steadfast moral compass. Depicting the role of your final ‘Golden Ticket’ winner your player brought warmth, sincerity and wonderful stage presence and was able to carry the story with a positive attitude.  There were so many lovely little touches ‘his’ care of ‘his’ grandparents and mother was evident and ‘his’ ability to record ‘his’ positive ideas in letters and journals.    Notwithstanding the demanding role your actor delivered acting, movement and singing skills which were remarkable at ‘his’ age and the dance with his father was so full of pathos. ‘Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka’, ‘A Letter from Charlie Bucket’ and ‘I’ve Got a Golden Ticket’ were superb!

Grandpa Joe is stated as Charlie's paternal grandparent by Roald Dahl.  He was kind-hearted and had a wonderful relationship with Charlie. He had a zest for life and adventure and the doting grandparent was determined to support Charlie’s visit to the chocolate factory. He had worked as a security guard in the factory years ago.  Your player was excellent from his stumbling dance when he first rose out of bed to his fiercely protective behaviour of Charlie. His dialogue, often comic, was well delivered, he danced with purpose and he sang ‘Charlie You and I’ with such tenderness.

The next actor on stage was Mrs Green who Charlie was well acquainted with. Her shopping trolley filled with vintage vegetables provided the Bucket’s with cheap meals. She changed Charlie’s life when he bought the last chocolate bar she had. Your actor brought Mrs Green to life with feeling and wonderful one liners.

Mrs Bucket might have only had a minor part to play in the performance but your performer created a hard-working caring, mother whose only job was to keep the family together. Her diction was excellent and her beautiful singing voice added impressive feeling to her vocal numbers. ‘If Your Father was Here’ which was one of the Wow! Moments in the production.

So, to the first winner of a Golden Ticket. Attired in a red and white jumper and shorts with braces we met Augustus Gloop. He has a voracious appetite and while working his way through Wonka bars finds a Golden Ticket. Accompanying Augustus was his mother Mrs Gloop who is constantly trying to satisfy his appetite and they proceed to deliver the humorous upbeat number “More of Him to Love”.  The audience loved the maypole dancing the Bratwurst dancers proceeded to perform with the long string of sausages he had with him.  His gluttony was his downfall during the tour of the factory and he went down the pipe to ‘Make the Fudge’. Both players were ideal for their parts and maintained their accents throughout.

The next character we met is the spoiled and overindulged Veruca Salt. She always gets everything she wants and her Russian billionaire father gives in continually and has ensured she has a Golden Ticket. Your young actor was dressed in a lovely pink ballet tutu with bejewelled tiara.  Of course, she had brought her father Mr Salt dressed in a blue suit along, he sang the patter song with a Russian twang ‘When Veruca Says’ with his daughter showing her entitled demands.  Her ballet skills were emphasised by seven extra ballerinas. Her permitted behaviour was her undoing when she wanted a squirrel and Mr Wonka said ‘No!’ and they pulled apart the Russian puppet. Your actors were great to watch, Veruca fully embodied the ruined and demanding character of the part and her father showed disbelief at what had happened.

The next stop was California where we meet Violet Beauregarde a word champion gum chewer who was not afraid to boast about her accomplishments and her mother who indirectly lives through her daughters’ achievements.  Dressed in velour track suits daughter in purple and mother in pink they sing the modern pop song   "Queen of Pop" all about the belief she was the best with modern moves added by the track suited dancers. These two remained in character throughout the constant hair flicking of mother was a great move.  Of course, this gum chewer would not listen to Mr Wonka and the three course chewing scene was brilliant firstly her inflatable costume and then the spherical Violet was bounced across the stage until she exploded.

We are then off to Idaho where we met Mike Teevee who is obsessed with all technology and has hacked into the Wonka computer to get his prize. With his headphones constantly round his neck your player ensured his character had the correct sort of attitude.  He was joined by his overwhelmed, neurotic mother who appears to be stuck in the 50’s she created a fantastic character and brilliantly sang "What Could Possibly go Wrong”.  As with the others he thought he knew best and goes in the transporter even though warned not to. I enjoyed his mum’s reaction to having the little boy back she can control.

Cherry the interviewer and Jerry the TV anchorman popped up throughout the first half of the show making sure the whole world knew who had won the Golden Tickets. They were both full of energy and their interludes and comments kept the audience informed.

I would like to mention those members of the cast that took on the minor roles of reporters, members of the public etc without their skills and efforts the show wouldn’t be complete.

Lastly there would be no working factory without the numerous and well-trained Oompa Loompas. They popped up in their distinctive costumes to clear up the mess caused by the disobedient children. Their characterisation was great they were full of confidence, moved well and sang the complicated songs with good diction.

The actual theme of Willy Wonka is that humility and kindness will always win over gluttony, pride, greed and sloth. 

What I saw today was a totally outstanding piece of theatre produced by an exceptional creative team who are able to with their vision and the assistance of all those named in the programme create a ‘professional’ quality show one of the best I have seen. It was far above the one I saw in Theatre Royal in Plymouth. Every member in your group whether on stage or behind the scenes should be extremely proud. It was ‘Pure Imagination’!!

Disclaimer 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what she sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by that knowledge. 

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre. 

 It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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