Writer: Roald Dahl
Book: David Grieg
Music: Marc Shaiman
Lyrics: Scott Whitman & Marc Sharman
Director: James Brining
As you walk into The Palace Theatre, Manchester, your nostrils are instantly filled with the smell of chocolate. For its latest showing, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it’s been made a priority to make it an instant immersive experience. You’re whisked straight away into the chocolatey world of Wonka from the moment you escape from the real world. But unfortunately, this first sign is not a reflection of attention to detail, but rather how style is always prioritised over substance in this spectacular, yet superficial, show.
This musical is the latest in a string of retellings of Roald Dahl’s classic 1964 book. It follows the story of Charlie and his family and, how, despite the odds, they get to explore the magical world of Wonka, along with four other much more precocious and spoilt youngsters and their adoring, yet misinformed, parents – after bagsying themselves a golden ticket in a Wonka bar. The production remains loyal to the original tale for the most part, bar a few changes and missed elements here and there.
While for many shows, the lighting, costumes, sound, props and technical elements are there to enhance and add magic to the performance, in this instance these elements steal the entire show. On their own, they are nothing short of beautiful – a light show being used to create and guide you through the entire factory in the second half and a magic elevator that literally flies Charlie and Wonka into the sky. But there is only so much that they can do on their own – and while these visuals will light up the eyes of young ones, as if they have just entered a sweetie store for the very first time, they just aren’t backed up by the rest of the production.
The casting, first and foremost, is questionable. Charlie (Haydn Court) is the most believable, but he is the only child performer. The other young characters – Augustus Gloop (Robin Simoes Da Silva), Veruca Salt (Kazmin Borrer), Violet Beauregarde (Marissa Morgan) and Mike Teavee (Teddy Hinde) are all played by adults, making Charlie stand out a square mile. Grandpa Joe (Michael D’Cruze) goes from spending 20 years in bed to being suddenly exceptionally mobile, has a forced ‘old man’ voice and has very little on-stage rapport with his grandson. And while Willy Wonka (Gareth Snook) is quirky and comedic and has good stage presence, he’s a little too shouty and his vocals struggle at times.
Unfortunately, some of the directorial decisions by James Brining make little to no sense. Having Charlie’s mum Mrs Bucket (Leonor Spilsbury) performing sign language at the same time as delivering her dialogue is a pleasant and welcome touch, but it’s intermittent and bar a few moments of Charlie joining in, she’s the only one that does it. Why? Surely make that part of the production or don’t, but a half-hearted attempt just feels like a tick-box exercise.
And while based on a children’s book, there are ways this could be more appealing to adults, as well as the younger crowd – as is the case with Matilda and other shows that have youngsters at the heart, like Annie and Oliver. The cast often over-perform – almost caricaturing their parts – trying to appeal and humour little ones, but instead jolting you out of the magic.
The music, too, is disappointing. For a show that has the name, the following, the fanbase, this should have a set list with memorable number after memorable number. But bar Pure Imagination, The Candy Man and, at a push, Gloop’s introductory number I Eat More, the rest of Marc Shaiman’s and Scott Wittman’s repertoire is entirely forgettable. Meaning that when that elevator does rise into the sky, there’s a wow moment but it’s not enough to make the hairs on your arm raise, because the melody just doesn’t match the moment being created.
With music and casting that mirrored the visuals, this musical could be a sweet sensation, but instead it falls short of the mark – giving you a ticket that may not, in fact, be golden.
Runs until 30 July 2023.
Terrible. When I saw this advertised I searched for trailers, previous showings and it looked great!
‘Pure imagination’, Oompa Loompas what more could you want? A huge fan of the book(s) as a child, Gene wilder and Johnny Depps versions whilst so different had a commonality. So 4 tickets booked. Lower circle, cannot wait! I expected escapism. Entertainment, great songs and obviously Oompa Loompas! What I got was Virtuous flag waving and an AmDram performance, why was Charlie a girl? Why has she A Scottish accent when all her family are so northern they could be in a Hovis ad? What’s with the LGBT flag waving and why o why is her mother the only one doing sign language to nobody?!? Where is Mr Bucket? Why is Augustus Gloop throwing a pigs head about? Why is he wearing Lederhosen? Seems like ‘stereotyping’ to me. The set was clunky, the songs not great, and I don not want to be disparaging at all to the young girl cast as Charlie as in fairness she was giving one of the better performances, but the Scottish accent just didn’t fit, it broke the forth wall for me, consistency? If the family are Lancashire why is she Scottish? Willy Wonka seemed to be playing it more ‘wizard of oz’ then any Willy Wonka I ever seen, and when he started pulling ‘sausage’ from The boy Agustus’ Gloops pants….. that’s just not right. Comments about Mr Salts ‘Salty Nuts’? What am I watching? The staging was terrible relying heavily on the digital screen for the ‘set’ when Agustus was thrashing around on an empty stage floor was a digital backdrop displayed CGI milkshake animation is just lazy and insulting, but at least we’re getting to the Oompa Loompas. Oh dear, oh dear me…. Ask anyone in western cilivisati0n to describe an Oompa Loompa. Any one. From the movies to the books, from the previous stage show to pop culture, you will get ‘little, short, tiny, funny, orange PEOPLE’ not tall silver AmDram Cybermen, I wanted to leave right there right then but my daughter wanted to stay longer, so stay longer we did, the Balloon that was Violet was just as cheap and insulting but the worst was the Neon Hula Hoop that was supposed to be a boat on the chocolate river. I paid near £300 to watch this. Empty stage, cgi animation on a screen and ‘actors’ stood inside a neon hula hoop swaying left and right. I kid you not. I have seen some great shows over the years, Mary Poppins was outstanding. Phantom too to name some stand outs, but Charlie and the chocolate factory is TERRIBLE in every sense, casting, set (or lack of), flag waving, writing, sexual innuendo (around children). Stereotyping, production everything. There is a fella who sings ‘Pure imagination’ on the streets of York city centre, give him a few £ and request it, it’s a better show.
Totally agree, this production did not reflect any version. We all felt the same, thinking surely it will get better. Never left a theatre thinking we had wasted money.
Very disappointed and would not recommend, felt like it was done on the cheap , lack of staging, unnecessary changes which detracted from the original, don’t get me started on the costumes. Iconic songs missing ????
This review & the review in the comments is spot on. Having seen the show myself tonight I haven’t been surprised to find same opinion reviews. I’d have probably still gone to see it if I’d read this sooner but boy am I gutted I paid west end prices to see it.