Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

This is the first time Stockton Riverside College's ‘Acting for Stage and Screen’ students have performed for myself and it was a fantastic, magical and filling evening. From the auditorium filled with sweets dotted around the walls to the lively newspaper sellers, the tone was set from the very start. The Roald Dahl books have a very unique style of characters and storytelling and this was captured brilliantly throughout the production.

Directing the production was Kelly Fairhurst, Kelly discussed her delight that the cast have gotten so into the story and have really enjoyed exploring these characters in what is not an easy musical to perform. Kelly has directed the group brilliantly, using the theatre space by incorporating the stairs at both sides of the theatre as well as the walkway across the middle of the theatre and the two alcoves at each side of the space. These little interactions with with audience gave an extra personal feel to the performance, not to mention the handing out of Eugene Beauregard’s business cards when entering the story, complete with a clever link to their social media where the students have been experimenting with their characters online. Musical Director for the production was given to Tom Guest, who supported these actors incredibly to get them ready to perform such a difficult range of styled songs.

All of those performers gave it all, singing is not easy and especially not easy when singing as a German meat-masher’s mother or a bubblegum blowing champion’s father. Playing a different age with different experiences can be difficult but this group of performers embodied those characters brilliantly. I believe this would have been something Roald Dahl would have been proud to see: children having fun and taking his characters to the extreme.

Choreography in this show was set by Abigail Bryan who gave the chorus a range of different numbers to get stuck into. The Oompa-Loompas, as well as a pack of scootering squirrels, were all given a range of different styles to perform and did so brilliantly. For a show which isn’t incredibly dance-heavy there is often a risk of adding in extra dance but as the need was not there, we saw some shorter but quality dancing in the sections where it was needed. A huge well done to the Hair and Make-up team who was made up of: Cordelia Mercer, Lucy O’Donnell, Millie Coultas, Catherine Braithwaite, Molly Pattison, Sophie Cooper, Olivia Greaves, River Parry, Paige Taylor, Matilda Hubbert, Olivia Cope, Holly Irwin, Emily Pybus, Liliana Jose, Alisha Huitson-Small, Demi Wright, Indi-Mai Cadden, Shannay Coleman, Ruby Crook, Amy Forman, Kacey Smith, Ella Dezilva-Instrall with support and tutoring by Nina Harper.

All of the cast were both parts character stereotypes with the performers' own unique flair added in. This was a lovely touch as it wasn’t a production trying to copy anything else; it was a creation of their different interpretations of the characters mixing. While we are on the topic of creating outstanding settings, the set and brilliant different candy props were created by the college's art department. Throughout the production we saw fantastic characters, all interacting with each other in such genuine and fitting ways. The Bucket Family made from Erin Goodwin as Mrs Bucket, Faith Joseph & Alana Jobes as Grandma Josephine and Georgina as well as Jayden Horn & Callum Gordon who played Grandpa George & Joe. Completing the wacky and stylised line up was Hannah Afful as the comedic Mrs Green. They all performed brilliantly in that stylistic performance we would expect from Roald Dahl characters.

Entering the world of the chocolate factory we meet a selection of characters which are even more outrageous and unique than the others! Reporters Cheery and Jerry Jubilee were played with energy and individuality by Kieran Beattie-Lewis and Lilly May-Day. Augustus Gloop played in this performance by Haden Brown alongside Mia Atkinson as Mrs Gloop. The pair performed with genuine sounding and impressive German accent. Violet Beauregarde and her father Mr Beauregarde were played by Imogen Slingsby and Noah Dixon respectively who showed a diverse range of expression and interactions with the cast and audience members also! Gracie-Mae Howe and Tommy Wrigglesworth playing Veruca Salt and her father Mr Salt showed style and class in their roles. Tommy interacted with audience very professionally and used this as a chance to further his characters connection with them. Imogen Field who played Mrs Teevee and Charlie Harper performing as Mike Teevee were a fantastic pairing. Imogen's never ending gentle enthusiasm for everything in the factory and her persistent flirting with Mr Wonka was a superb contrast to the loud, boisterous, stroppy character portrayed by Charlie with such a fantastic understanding of the character. Their portrayal of Mike TV was superb, from loud stroppy, child-like tantrums to the softer moments thinking of the characters' games or the fame they might gain from the adventure. It was done perfectly. The audience loved the character and felt sympathetic towards his mother which is what the story calls for. From start to end Charlie had me wrapped around their finger, waiting for the next comedic outburst or witty comment. A superb performance! Grandpa Jo was played by Callum Gordon who gave a fantastic performance as Charlie's supporting family member. Gentle, kind and understanding Callum played the role with a maturity beyond his years. To perform as one of the older characters but still have that Roald Dahl flair is not easy but he made it seem effortless.

Charlie Bucket was played with empathy, sincerity and genuine emotions to have us backing him all the way. Serren Bullock's ability to draw the audience's attention on the stage, with so many other more caricatured roles, speaks volumes for her performance ability. Her solo singing was strong and told the emotions and story of the character well, very impressive. Rounding off the main cast was Jackson Sadler as the man himself, Mr Wonka. His blend of quirky and unpredictable mixed superbly with what seemed to be splashes of Gene Wilder's film version of the character. His dark and slightly sinister moments gave that extra piece of depth to his superbly thought out character. Last but not least I have to talk about the company, whether it was supporting company numbers dressed as Umpa Lumpas, supporting with singing from the wings or invading the auditorium in character they did it consistently with energy and purpose. I must also mention that as well as their performance roles they were also responsible for the many different changes of setting. The pieces of set were moved efficiently and professionally to keep the show running smoothly. You can spend years and years studying and practicing but without performance those skills will never truly be tested. A huge accomplishment for these young performers and I am counting the days till I see you talented performers again!

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