The Chocolate Factory at the Capitol Theatre. Photo: Jeff-Busby
It’s been a while since I’ve seen either of the films and even longer since I read the book (which was published in 1964), but this all singing, all dancing, all magical production brings it right back. Like Roald Dahl’s best-known stories, this one is timeless and it’s done here with such energy and verve that I don’t see how anyone, of any age, could fail to love it.
This production has songs from the original film, including “Pure Imagination”, “The Candy Man” and “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket“, alongside a new score from the songwriters of Hairspray. The Candy Man himself, aka Willy Wonka, is played by the very adept Paul Slade Smith, looking weird and wonderful in his green check trousers, orange waistcoat and cerise pink jacket (I think Mr Dahl would have approved), and on opening night in the role of Charlie (which is shared by four boys) was Oliver Alkhair. Their first duet was enough to get the audience hooked.
Act I is very much about setting up. Five Golden Ticket winners are to be allowed access to the previously reclusive Mr Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, none of whom are as worthy as Charlie will turn out to be of course. Dahl had fun with his versions of Deadly Sins in this tale, so we have personifications of gluttony, selfishness, rudeness and vainglory. Looking unrecognisable as the barrel-sized Augustus and Mrs Gloop are Octavia Barron Martin and Jake Fehily; the dreadfully spoilt, pink-tutu-ed Veruca Salt and her obnoxious capitalist father Mr Salt are played by Karina Russell and Stephen Anderson (and what memorable performances they are); Violet Beauregard is a purple tracksuited gum-chewing dynamo, courtesy of Monette McKay, alongside her indulgent father, Madison McKoy; and the dreadful Mike Teavee and his 1950s timewarp mother Mrs Teavee are played by Jayde Westaby and Harrison Riley.
Oliver Alkhair as Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on opening night . Photo: Jeff Busby
Lucy Maunder is our hero’s hardworking mother – a woman of few words, and no songs – and in the role of Grandpa Joe we have none other than the revered Tony Sheldon. So it’s a cast to be reckoned with.
There’s energy and precision in the choreography, the songs, the set and the performances, but in Act 2, when we finally get into the Chocolate Factory, things really amp up. I have to say that I particularly loved Veruka’s scenes; and Violet Beauregard exploded really, really well; and Charlie and Mr Wonka are terrific throughout; and the visuals when Mike Teavee is (literally) brought down to size are amazing but everybody better watch out for those Oompa Loompas! They are in danger of stealing the show: they are quite mesmerising to watch.
Out they come, bewigged with red hair and animated faces (the real faces of the ensemble members who are manipulating their Oompa Loompa arms and legs wearing black Japanese Bunraku puppeteer costumes). They look demonic and funny, and they can tap-dance. It’s hard to believe they are not real, and they brought the house down. Basil Twist is credited in the program with Puppetry Design.
Of course, there are many more credits for the creative team behind this show, and they are impressive. Direction is by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien; music by Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award winner Marc Shaiman; lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award winners Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman; a book by artistic director of Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum theatre David Greig; choreography by Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse; scenic and costume design is by five-time Tony Award nominee Mark Thompson; lighting design by four-time Tony Award nominee Japhy Weideman; sound design by Andrew Keister; projection design by Jeff Sugg; and music supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck.
Like the song says, it’s all about pure imagination, and the wonders of Wonka are here: more chocolate and sweets than you can dream of, edible dreams, manic squirrels in the Nut House, incredible inventions, the great glass elevator, gobstoppers and showstoppers. And Oompa Loompas.
Does Charlie get his reward? What do you think?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl, is at the Capitol Theatre, Campbell Street, Haymarket
until May 19.
