Download the new logos for the programme and poster competition

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Musical

Author: Julie Addison

Information

Date
10th May 2024
Society
County Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society
Venue
New Theatre Royal
Type of Production
Musical
Director
Helen Evans
Musical Director
Kev Richardson
Choreographer
Adam Slepowronski
Production Manager
Ian J Marston
Written By
Book by David Grieg, Lyrics: Scott Wittman, Marc Shaiman with additional lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley

‘Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (The Musical), is based on the well-known classic book by Roald Dahl and the wonderful characters he created.  It features music by Marc Shaiman and music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitman featuring additional songs by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley from the 1971 motion picture ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.’  

The show opens with a lively rendition of ‘Candyman’ as a young Charlie Bucket (a very confident performance from Lucas Crawford da Conceicao) wearing a bright pink bobble hat, moves among the other characters oblivious that he is about to meet the man who will change his life forever. 

Willy Wonka (an enigmatic Billy Baxter) himself appears and starts to tell the audience he needs someone to pass on the legacy of the chocolate factory to ideally someone who thinks like him who would be a worthy successor and heir.  Wonka disguises himself as the shopkeeper of a run-down sweet shop, dons a flat cap and prepares to meet Charlie.  In a hilarious scene, Charlie goes onto to inform the incognito Wonka that he is out of touch as he does not even advertise his products on TV and then proceeds to tell the bemused Wonka his own life history saying he would give anything to visit Wonka’s legendary factory.  Something special about Charlie has sparked Wonka’s attention as he listens to his obvious delight describing his favourite Wonka bars and how he would improve them. Throughout the conversation we notice that Charlie is wearing the same purple and gold colours as Wonka and so becomes his mirror.

On the way home, Charlie meets Mrs Green (a lovely comedy cameo from Christine Daniels) selling past their best vegetables - she sells him a cabbage and throws in the snail for free!  Charlie lives with his mother (a tender performance from Sarah Holt in her debut role) and his bedridden grandparents (Kate Fenn, Mark Thompson, Sarah Webster and John Fitzgerald) in a dilapidated two-storey house, who despite being poor, have lots of love for Charlie and his big dreams. When his mother gives him a notebook, he quickly writes down all his own ideas for making chocolate and confectionery and writes a letter to Wonka 'A letter from Charlie Bucket' with his suggestions including a pillow made from marshmallows for his grandparents George and Georgina for when they snore. 

Charlie’s mother is frustrated at his constant daydreaming and especially the influence of his Grandpa Joe (played with impish glee by John Fitzgerald) who is filling his head with tall tales.  We then learn (via newspapers held up by the grandparents) that Wonka is reopening his factory but with a twist - he has hidden five golden tickets in his Wonka bars and the lucky recipient will get a tour of the factory and lifetime supply of chocolate.  This is a dream come true for Charlie, but his worried mother, concerned that he has built up his hopes too much which will only lead to bitter disappointment, pours cold water on his hopes and dreams.

One by one we are introduced to the winners of the coveted golden tickets via the reporters Jerry (Daryl Smith) and roving reporter Cherry Sundae (Nicole Wilcox.) Starting with Germany, to the home of Bavarian Beefcake Augustus Gloop (Ted Lowe) and his perky mother (Cheryl Barlow) who is insanely proud of her son’s gluttony.  Next, we meet the spoilt diva Veruca Salt (a fiery performance from Maisie Noorpuri ) a Russian ballerina who has her hapless father, the peanut billionaire (Martyn Housley-Smith) firmly under her thumb ‘When Veruca Says’.  Then to America to meet the Bubble gum diva, ‘wanna be’ celebrity and Queen of Pop – Violet Beauregarde (Matylda Kosmala) and her equally appalling mother (Lisa Reilly) dressed in matching sparkly tracksuits and clutching mobile phones.  

Another ticket is found this time at the Iowa home of devices obsessed Mike Teavee (fabulous performance from Ash Betts) the sulky tech obsessed teenager who has been tied to a chair by his own mother (a wonderful performance from Catherine Brown) teetering on the edge of psychosis and borderline alcoholic who is clearly terrified of her son ‘That Little Man of Mine.’

Charlie is crushed, and his mother sings a beautiful ballad ‘If your Father Were Here’ sharing her memories and knowing in her heart that things would have been very different for Charlie.   But all is not lost. Wonka gets Charlie to sweep up the now empty sweet shop and he finds a coin which he takes to Mrs Green who not to miss out on a marketing opportunity is now selling Wonka bars, and against all odds he finds the last remaining Wonka bar containing the final golden ticket.  Charlie’s pure glee at finding the last ticket is infectious and we share his excitement ‘I’ve Got a Golden Ticket.’  But his hopes are nearly dashed again when the ticket carries the stipulation that recipients must be accompanied by an adult.  Grandpa Joe, bed ridden for forty years leaps out of bed, gets dressed and prepares to accompany Charlie on the journey of a lifetime.

And so, the lucky winners accompanied by their parents/guardians assemble outside the factory in a blaze of publicity.  But where is Wonka?  He arrives disguised as an old man and when he reveals himself Charlie has a sneaking suspicion he has seen him somewhere before. After the ridiculously long contract has been signed the factory is finally revealed - an enormous two-level structure with shiny silver pipes snaking across the metal framework covered with huge edible flowers complete with a chocolate lagoon. The children explore all the edible confectionery as Wonka sings the iconic ‘Pure Imagination.’

As in the book, each monstrous child then meets a morally appropriate downfall.  We say ‘Auf Weidersehn’ to Augustus Gloop when he climbs into a vat and is sucked into the fudge making system, a victim of his own gluttony, as the Oompa Loompas sing mockingly about his fate.   Violet cannot resist the bubble gum and despite Wonka’s half-hearted warnings, is blown up into a gigantic blueberry and ultimately explodes.  In the Nut Room, Veruca Salt sets her heart on owning one of Wonka’s nut sorting squirrels and in a hilarious bit of Russian themed choreography (Adam Slepwronski) she comes to a sticky end at the paws of the ferocious rodents who dub her a ‘bad nut’.  In the ‘Department of the Future’, Mike Teavee (who has admitted he hacked into Wonka’s computer) is introduced to Chocolate Vision (a fantastic special effect) and is shrunk to a tiny six inches much to the delight of his mother who tucks him gleefully in her bag now finally gaining control of her bullying teen. The other competitors dispatched leaves Charlie as the last child standing but will he get his just reward?

I was pleased to see that the set was real and not projections.  It allowed the cast ample room to perform and featured structures that were wheeled in and out, such as the sweet shop and the Bucket’s home with the grandparents on the top level sitting up in a huge bed.  The scene with the Great Glass Elevator was very impressive lifting effortlessly off the stage floor.  Lighting was used to good effect especially during the computer game section where lights were projected on the floor.   Some of the follow spots were a little off target at times so some characters were stood in darkness, but this was quickly rectified and probably a teething problem on opening night.

Costumes were excellent (Amy Magnone and Linda Wilson) I loved the Oompa Loompas in white dungarees and lime green accessories and the yellow checked gingham frock worn by Mrs Gloop.  I noticed lots of tiny attentions to detail, for example a tiny hole in Charlie’s trousers and war medals on Grandpa Joe’s overcoat. 

Musical direction from Kev Richardson was via a live orchestra to accompany the musical numbers and a choir under the stage.  I have to say that on occasion the underscore music was overpowering at times, and some of the dialogue was lost.

 The stage was used well with the two levels allowing the cast to move around while exploring the factory.  The props were excellent and perfectly created the chocolate factory theme.  I was especially impressed with the special effects used in the huge TV showing an elated Mike Teavee running around various television programmes.  Choreography was excellent with the dance numbers matched to the country of origin or personality of each child for example, Bavarian dances for Augustus Gloop and a hip hop number for Violet.  

On the night I attended, Charlie was played by Lucas who, from the moment he came on stage, was perfectly in character.  Even when he had a mishap with his microphone, he did not let it phase him.  His singing voice was beautiful, and he created a believable character full of humility, wide-eyed innocence and boundless imagination.

Billy Baxter as Wonka was witty and eccentric displaying a sardonic deadpan sense of humour when he tried unsuccessfully to warn the children, I loved his reply of ‘Niete’ on Vercua’s demise.  Baxter has a fantastic singing voice and his delivery of the furiously paced patter song ‘Strike that Reverse It’ was excellent.  His interactions with young Charlie were delightful.  The final scene in the glass elevator was very touching as we realise that he has been there for Charlie from the start.

John Fitzgerald as Grandpa Joe was also a fun character dancing a jig in his excitement that he was to accompany Charlie.  He was Charlie’s protector and supporter of his dreams.  You could really feel his frustration and anger when he realised Wonka had tricked Charlie.

Maisie Noorpuri was excellent as the entitled Veruca switching between pouting and simpering as she wheedled and whined then exploding in fury when her goals were not met.  Sarah Holt created a kind and caring Mrs Bucket desperately wanting her son to succeed at school concerned at his constant daydreaming.  She had beautiful haunting vocals especially in the song ‘If Your Father Was Here’.  Ash Betts was excellent creating a truly monstrous arrogant Mike Teavee dripping with disdain and scowling at the less computer savvy characters while tormenting his mother. The cast were supported by an ensemble playing various parts including Oompa Loompas.

I was delighted to meet Lucas (Charlie Bucket) at the stage door and was able to tell him personally about his excellent performance.

Well done to Helen Evans, her production team and all the creatives involved behind the scenes of the show for bringing this ‘world of pure imagination’ to colourful life. 

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved 

 

 

 

 

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.

Other recent show reports in the East Midlands region

Funders & Partners