Bringing a concept as eccentric as Charlie & The Chocolate Factory to the West End stage is no simple feat, but when you’ve got someone as acclaimed as Sam Mendes in the director’s seat, the expectations are always bound to weighty.
On this particular occasion, the Academy Award winning Mendes certainly definitely did not disappoint.
Given the imaginary nature of Roald Dahl’s book, the biggest challenge for this production was always going to be creating a sense of surrealism strong enough to amaze, but not so overwhelming that it detracted from the emotional engagement with the storyline. In both those respects, Mendes succeeded in compelling style.
The backdrop was beautiful – a real highlight of the show throughout, even before they cast stepped foot in the chocolate factory. The shadowy mass of Willy Wonka’s famous wonderland lurked in the background throughout the first act, hanging over the poverty-stricken Bucket family with inescapable, near sinister effect.
On this particular occasion, the Academy Award winning Mendes certainly definitely did not disappoint.
Given the imaginary nature of Roald Dahl’s book, the biggest challenge for this production was always going to be creating a sense of surrealism strong enough to amaze, but not so overwhelming that it detracted from the emotional engagement with the storyline. In both those respects, Mendes succeeded in compelling style.
The backdrop was beautiful – a real highlight of the show throughout, even before they cast stepped foot in the chocolate factory. The shadowy mass of Willy Wonka’s famous wonderland lurked in the background throughout the first act, hanging over the poverty-stricken Bucket family with inescapable, near sinister effect.
The poverty was furthered within the foreground with heart-warming but comedic effect. Barry James’ Grandpa Joe become a quick favourite with lines that were predictable, cheap and cheerful but put across with an air of witty legitimacy that meant you couldn’t help but laugh.
Oliver Finnegan was entirely sympathetic in his role as Charlie as well. Again, he was easy to second-guess, but the innocence of his actions and raw optimism in his voice made for a hero who was easy to back. His mother and father, played by Richard Dempsey and Kirsty Malpass, deserve more than a little credit – their sombre performance was the real highlight within the supporting cast.
The televised portrayal of the golden ticket winners was another point that cannot go unmentioned. Entirely light-hearted and utterly hilarious, it really does warm you to the entire cast, and introduces them in the best possible way.
Oliver Finnegan was entirely sympathetic in his role as Charlie as well. Again, he was easy to second-guess, but the innocence of his actions and raw optimism in his voice made for a hero who was easy to back. His mother and father, played by Richard Dempsey and Kirsty Malpass, deserve more than a little credit – their sombre performance was the real highlight within the supporting cast.
The televised portrayal of the golden ticket winners was another point that cannot go unmentioned. Entirely light-hearted and utterly hilarious, it really does warm you to the entire cast, and introduces them in the best possible way.
A well-told fable, created wonderfully, darkened slightly, and leaving a more than satisfying taste in the mouth.
Inside the chocolate factory it was, of course, an entirely different world. The greys were replaced by wonderful colour and each room designed so distinctively that the required quirkiness of the play would’ve been present even had none of the characters said a single word.
The shadows and sorrow of the first act were replaced by wonder and opportunity, but there was always a feel of the fantastic as well – something slightly off-putting in the sheer distinctiveness of it all that was ultimately encapsulated in the character of Willy Wonka himself.
It must be said that Alex Jenning’s performance as Wonka was fairly mixed. The character was darkened, which was good, but his naivety in common sense was overwhelming at times, even for a guy who has lived in a chocolate factory for the past umpteen years.
The shadows and sorrow of the first act were replaced by wonder and opportunity, but there was always a feel of the fantastic as well – something slightly off-putting in the sheer distinctiveness of it all that was ultimately encapsulated in the character of Willy Wonka himself.
It must be said that Alex Jenning’s performance as Wonka was fairly mixed. The character was darkened, which was good, but his naivety in common sense was overwhelming at times, even for a guy who has lived in a chocolate factory for the past umpteen years.
Nevertheless, Jenning’s playful unpredictability was gripping from the moment of his arrival, and his rendition of ‘Pure Imagination’ will not be forgotten any time soon. Other original songs were bouncy and clever, but there was nothing anthemic enough to catch the eye and the ear more than this classic from the 1971 film.
As for the rest of the child cast, the demanding Veruca Salt was the standout, and while the others were mildly amusing, it must be said that the character of Mike Teavee was scripted poorly. It’s safe to say that most audience members were hoping he’d get the chop sooner rather than later.
Teavee was meant to be the video game addict who bridged the gap between the original book and the current time period. Instead he came across as petulant and infinitely annoying – definitely the most irritating part of the entire endeavour.
In truth though, that one poor supporting role is all that can truly be highlighted as an error in this production, which means it certainly comes away with a grade sheet filled with green pen and ticks.
All-in-all, it’s a surreal, over-exaggerated portrayal of the famous children’s story. It’s stretched and twisted at times a little far, but it boasts a mass of mesmerising scenery, lots of entertaining songs, and the bulk of the cast impress as well.
A well-told fable, created wonderfully, darkened slightly, and leaving a more than satisfying taste in the mouth.
Stuart Kenny
Note to readers: We understand that ‘choc-a-block’ would have been an appropriate pun to use at some point in this article, but it was just too easy. And ‘choctastic’ isn’t even a word.
As for the rest of the child cast, the demanding Veruca Salt was the standout, and while the others were mildly amusing, it must be said that the character of Mike Teavee was scripted poorly. It’s safe to say that most audience members were hoping he’d get the chop sooner rather than later.
Teavee was meant to be the video game addict who bridged the gap between the original book and the current time period. Instead he came across as petulant and infinitely annoying – definitely the most irritating part of the entire endeavour.
In truth though, that one poor supporting role is all that can truly be highlighted as an error in this production, which means it certainly comes away with a grade sheet filled with green pen and ticks.
All-in-all, it’s a surreal, over-exaggerated portrayal of the famous children’s story. It’s stretched and twisted at times a little far, but it boasts a mass of mesmerising scenery, lots of entertaining songs, and the bulk of the cast impress as well.
A well-told fable, created wonderfully, darkened slightly, and leaving a more than satisfying taste in the mouth.
Stuart Kenny
Note to readers: We understand that ‘choc-a-block’ would have been an appropriate pun to use at some point in this article, but it was just too easy. And ‘choctastic’ isn’t even a word.
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