Come with me and you’ll be 
in a world of pure imagination. 
Take a look and you’ll see 
into your imagination.

Second sampling of this musical within the space of a few weeks, this time with the Peterbrook Players at the lovely Core Theatre in Solihull. This was my first experience of Peterbrook and I was not disappointed, the show a delight from start to finish.

Briefly going over the plot again — Poorest family in the world with the most bone-idle grandparents in history are dependent on Charlie and his mother’s earnings to survive. I mean, have they never heard of social security? Anyway, famous chocolatier contrives for Charlie to gain entry to his factory while also seeking the four most horrible children in existence, just to teach them a lesson. What you get is a magical experience full of good songs and dance with a decent plot, based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name, also including some of the numbers from the 1971 movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Oisin Kelly (in this performance) was Charlie, and he excelled with outstanding presence and voice. On alternating performances, Alfie El-Safti took on the role, so I will credit him too. Equally as excellent, Matt Barnard shone as the wizard-like Wonka, directing events as they unfolded on stage. Danielle Pancheri was particularly strong as Mrs Bucket. Grandpa Joe, who in the original film is for me the villain of the piece, is thankfully here more of a supporting hero for Charlie and he was played well by Andrew Alton. As the other bedridden wrinklies (I’m 62, I can get away with saying that) we had Alison Tumber (Grandma Josephine), Annette Whalley (Grandma Georgina) and Nick Tickner (Grandpa George), who added subtle humour at times. As for the four horrors with their respective parents, all were on top form. These included Iona Cameron (Augustus Gloop), Amelia Bickerton (Veruca Salt), Annie Stephenson (Violet Beauregarde), Jacob Young (Mike Teavee), Paula Whitehouse (Mrs Gloop), Rob Jervis (Mr Salt), Michael Stephenson (Mr Beauregarde) and Anna Gifford (Mrs Teavee). Completing the principals well were Melissa Goode (Cherry Sunday), Jude Maskell (Jerry Jubilee) and Ann Bloomer as Mrs Green with her barrow of pre-loved vegetables. All the above were complemented by a strong ensemble complete with juniors and adults both.

The show was directed in both staging and musicality by Paula Whitehouse who can be very pleased with the results which included phenomenal voices throughout. The choreography was also top of the tree and this is a credit to Abi Harvey who had that responsibility. Good use of projected backdrops also worked well on top of impressive sets. However, what was clear above all else was just how enthusiastic the cast were, enjoying every minute. And how could they not be with such a polished performance which totally deserved the applause at the end.

So concludes the second of two amateur productions of this musical, both which I enjoyed more than the professional tour a couple of years back. I am seeing another company’s offering of this show in the Autumn and after Peterbrook’s production, I can only look forward to it again.

Cheers,

Antony N Britt

*Photos taken from social media.