Hull New Theatre – until 16th September 2023
Reviewed by Dawn Bennett
5*****
Neal Street Productions, Playful Productions. Hunter Arnold & Gavin Kalin Productions present The Leeds Playhouse Production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Musical (and book writer David Greig) got a well-deserved standing ovation last night from a very appreciative audience.
The production tells the story of Charlie Bucket (Haydn Court) and his family. Mum (Leonie Spilsbury), Grandpa Joe (Lewis Rae), Grandpa George (Christopher Howell), Grandma Josephine (Kate Milner-Evans) and Grandma Georgina (Emily Winter). Now the family don’t have a lot of money so when Willy Wonka (Gareth Snook) has a competition to win one of 5 golden tickets to visit his Chocolate Factory and a chance to win a life time supply of chocolate, which he is re-opening, the chances of Charlie being able to buy a chocolate bar never mind find a winning ticket are very slim. It is his birthday in a few weeks’ time and he hopes to get a Wonka Bar as a present. Hayden Court is such a good Charlie Bucket, his singing and acting were brilliant, he is defiantly going to be a big star and deservedly so.
Over the course of the first half, we meet the winners of the first 4 Golden Tickets Augustus Gloop (Robin Simões da Silva) and Mrs Gloop (Kate Milner-Evans), Veruca Salt (Kazmin Borrer) and Mr Salt (Christopher Howell), Violet Beauregarde (Marisha Morgan) and Mrs Beauregarde (Emily Winter) and finally Mike Teavee (Teddy Hinde) and Mrs Teavee (Leonie Spilsbury). We see them in their own countries and introduced by the news anchors Jerry (Ewan Gillies) and Cherry (Lucy Hutchinson). These two were really good, if you’ve ever watched the cheesy “news” people you’ll recognise them in their characters, their timing was brilliant!
Only just before the interval do we all get to meet Willy Wonka himself. Gareth Snook has definitely made this role his own, he had such stage presence. The asides to the audience, his movements and his total embodiment of the character were a joy to watch!
In the second half we see the winners, apart from Charlie, cause their own downfall. The set (and costume designer Simon Higlett) and backdrop (illusions designer Chris Fisher) were amazing and really helped tell the story brilliantly and the Orchestra (Musical Director Ellen Campbell) played beautifully and really added to the atmosphere. The Oompa-Loompas were a scary looking bunch but the ensemble (Victoria Nicol, who also played Mrs Prachett, Patrick King, Emma Robotham Hunt, Jodie Knight, Darcie Brown, Jonathan McDonald, Ty-Reece Stewart and Morgan Scott) who played them were very talented. A lot of them played other parts as well and it was only when they came together at the end, I realised how small the cast was!
This is a fabulous show which I would absolutely recommend and its definitely one not to missed. And if I could give it more than 5***** I would!