Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

On a warm Summer’s evening I was guided to the seating by a youngster whom I later found to be one of the young cast members. I paused to say hello to the Sound Technician and his young assistant both of whom I knew. Having settled down I read the programme in anticipation of watching this show which I have seen a few times, also hoping that no chocolate would melt in the heat.

This was a production that used click tracks for all the singing, it was a shame that the programme did not list the scenes or the songs however the show opened with Willy Wonka’s ‘Candy Man’, well sung by Lauren Matthews, who was joined by the company. She was undoubtably the star of the show alongside Olivia. We followed through the story with Charlie, well played by Olivia Fayers singing ‘Willy Wonka’ and the reprise of ‘Candy Man’. We find the grandparents in their bed, a large prop taking up the middle of the stage where we meet Grandpa Joe, this is an important role in the whole story and was played by Lizz Backham who developed into the role as the show progressed. The final important family member is Mrs Bucket, with Summer Alondra portraying Charlie’s Mother very naturally and believably. The small cast double as many of the characters whether it be Oompa Loompas, Squirrels, reporters, Parents and the gold ticket winners of Veruca Salt, Mike Teevee, Violet Beauregarde and Augustus Gloop. The duets of parent and child were of variable quality; it was a shame Mr Salt forgot his words.

The second act found us entering the magical world of Willy Wonka and the group had made a big effort to provide the necessary set and props for each of the rooms that the children visited and disappeared in the appropriate ways. Augustus in a river of chocolate, Violet as an inflating and exploding blueberry, Veruca disappearing as rubbish and Mike Teevee being miniaturised on a TV screen. Use was made of technology with a large screen monitor and pre-recorded video excerpts, unfortunately a little erratic in use. The cast gave as much as they could with the songs and movement on stage, a little restricted by the scene changes and the sets on stage. It was a shame that the final number where a lot of the cast were dressed as Oompa Loompas that their hand movements were not coordinated and some seemed to be doing their own thing.

The cast enjoyed themselves and made as much effort as possible for dialogue and singing as all were mic’d, although some diction was not as clear as it could have been. Having said that the audience showed their appreciation at the end. Tech support with lighting and sound was more than sufficient for this production ending with glitter canons, well done TJ.

This was Melody Allsorts first Musical and I am sure they will have learnt a lot from this production for their future musical productions.

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