Chocolate, golden tickets and Oompa-Loompas! Yes the Wonka Factory has opened in Australia, but the flavour is missing.
Roald Dahl has certainly earned his stripes as a children’s book author, being an all-time favourite right up there with Lewis Carroll, Dr Seuss and J K Rowling. Furthermore, many of his works have morphed into musical theatre, including Matilda, Fantastic Mr Fox and James and the Giant Peach.
The musical version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory first opened in London’s West End in 2013 and four years later on Broadway. It is currently experiencing an Australian run through Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The story, known by many, features young boy Charlie Bucket, who along with his grandpa Joe, joins an exclusive tour group through eccentric Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory. Along with four other winners of the ‘golden ticket’ the group of children experience a bizarre joyride while unknowingly facing hidden tests around self-indulgence.
The journey itself is a big temptation into the world of chocolate and candy, with Charlie and his grandpa playing the ‘good guys’ amidst a bunch of spoiled brats.
“An onstage chocolate factory should have all the starry-eyed wonder of Aladdin’s cave.”
While reviews from the West End production were mixed, many from Broadway were negative, and it is the Broadway version that is currently replicated for Australia.
One of the main problems with this show is its downsizing since the first inception on the West End, and although likewise retooled, it lacks the lavish sets and pizazz one would hope for. An onstage chocolate factory should have all the starry-eyed wonder of Aladdin’s cave, but sadly there is too much left to the imagination.
As Willy Wonka, Paul Slade Smith (who understudied the role on Broadway) is enjoyable enough, but it is Tony Sheldon who steals the spotlight as Grandpa Joe. Sheldon, whose credits include Bernadette in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, has a charisma and presence that clearly marks him as crowd favourite. In fact, one has to wonder how different the show would be with Sheldon as Wonka.
The cast also includes Lucy Maunder (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) as Mrs Bucket, Madison McKoy (Big River) as Mr Beauregard and Jayde Westaby (Mamma Mia) is Mrs Teavee.
While five child actors play Charlie (Lenny Thomas on opening night) Jake Fehily (The Full Monty) Karina Russell (Cats) Jayme-Lee Hanekom (The Lion King) and Harrison Riley (Sweeney Todd) play the other children. Herein lies a problem. While these adult actors are great in their roles, playing children next to an actual child just doesn’t work. As the television-obsessed kid Mike Teavee, Harrison Riley standing next to Charlie looks more like his dad than another child.
“Playing children next to an actual child just doesn’t work.”
But there are some great special effects moments, including some clever puppetry. There are some delightful, not to mention frightening, squirrels and the Oompa-Loompas who steal the show. The choreography from Joshua Bergasse (Gigi) also does well to include ballet and the life-size animals.
The secret to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s longevity and success as a stage musical, can be found in the story – one that attracts multiple generations of families. Consider also that the book has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. Even so, one would expect such a beloved story to get the grand treatment. It should have all the sparkle and wonder of unraveling a chocolate bar – especially one wrapped in a gold!
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory plays at Her Majesty’s Melbourne before heading to Brisbane’s Lyric Theatre March, 2020
For more: www.charliethemusical.com.au
