By Catherine Collins
Who doesn’t love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
As a child, I read the book by Roald Dahl and watched the film starring Gene Wilder, and as an adult with children of my own the remake with Johnny Depp.
So when the opportunity to see the musical came to Southampton I was probably far more excited than an adult nearing 50 should be.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical tells the story of Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectionary wizard, Willy Wonka.
When Charlie wins a golden ticket to the weird and wonderful Wonka Chocolate Factory, it’s a chance of a lifetime to feast on the sweets they’ve always dreamed of. But beyond the gates where astonishment awaits, the five lucky winners discover not everything is as sweet as it seems.
Gareth Snook plays the iconic Willy Wonka, and puts his own slightly sinister portrayal on the eccentric character we all love. He is a delight to watch and his stage presence shines in a production that has a lot going on.
The role of Charlie is shared by four children, and for our visit Charlie was played by Harmony Raine-Riley, who wins the hearts of the audience as soon as she steps onto the stage.
The cast of Charlie and the Chocolate factory is diverse, which I love to see in the theatre, and all of the ensemble help to make this show the hit that it clearly is.
Special mention goes to Leonie Spilsbury, who plays two very different characters, Mrs Bucket and Mrs Teavee, her voice is incredible and left me wanting to hear more.
It is a little disappointing that the show only revives three of the classic songs from the film – Candy Man, Pure Imagination and the Oompa Loompa Song, and, as much as the new songs are very good – they just don’t feel as memorable.
To me, and the people around me, the first act definitely could have used a couple more of the well known songs, and I felt that I’ve Got a Golden Ticket was very much missed.
The stage production is a mix of the use of sets and a screen, and it worked really well, adding another incredible element to the performances and taking us on a journey through the factory, and the fate that awaits the other children.
The scenes with Violet Beauregarde, played by Marisha Morgan, being turned into a blueberry, and Teddy Hinde’s character, Mike Teavee’s shrinking had the audience laughing out loud, and that just wouldn’t have been possible without the hybrid set – truly magical!
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is an almost perfect escape into a world of pure imagination – your entry tickets may not be golden, but the show certainly is!
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory runs until Saturday 3 September, tickets are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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