⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A sweet and delicious treat for the whole family to enjoy.
Being a huge Roald Dahl fan, having grown up reading all of the books, you can imagine my excitement when I saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was coming to Birmingham, furthermore, to one of my favourite theatres – Birmingham Hippodrome.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tells the story of Charlie Bucket who reads that Wonka is opening his factory for a tour but only 5 people can go and they have to find a winning golden ticket within their chocolate bar. Charlie wins one, and him and the other winners can’t wait to feast on the sweets of their dreams. But beyond the gates, there’s an extraordinary journey to experience as they travel through Willy Wonka’s marvellous creations. Will everyone leave in the same condition they arrive in?
Director James Brining has brought Roald Dahl’s beloved tale to life. Directed with flair and precision, this production dazzles audiences young and old, triumphantly delivering a treat for the senses (see what we did there?)
The production has a really strong talented cast with some including British Sign Language within their performances, but the standout performance comes from the extraordinary Jessie-Lou Harvie in the role of Charlie Bucket. Harvie brings an incredible depth to Charlie’s character, effortlessly conveying both innocence and resilience. Her thankfulness for a bar of chocolate only once a year because they are so poor – to her strength and determination in winning the golden ticket. Harvie’s onstage presence is captivating, her vocals a delight, and her ability to stay on the stage for pretty much the whole performance without showing any signs of tiring is amazing.
Gareth Snook, who portrays the enigmatic Willy Wonka, is brilliant. Snook’s performance reminded me of Tim Minchin in parts, expertly capturing the charismatic and mischievous nature of the iconic character. His magnetic presence, combined with a striking vocal range, added an extra sprinkle of magic to every scene. You couldn’t help but smile when he was on the stage.
I was excited to see what the stage design was going to be like, and I was impressed. Set designer Simon Higlett managed to transport us from a dark, minimalistic shack, the home of Charlie and her family, into the fantastical world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory with its vibrant colours, grandeur, and whimsical detailing, with some magical moments that truly captured my daughters attention. Pointing at the stage in excitement. The nut room may have been our absolute favourite scene, and Matildas laughter could be heard across the auditorium, causing others to laugh too. For a moment, I wanted to be like Veruca Salt (Kazmin Borrer) and ask for a squirrel, too.
The musical score, composed by Marc Shaiman, perfectly captures the essence of Dahl’s tale. We heard the well-known theme from the Gene Wilder film version to some original pieces, too. There were just a few times when I struggled to catch the lyrics, but did it affect my love of the show – not at all.
I thoroughly enjoyed the show and would recommend it to families with children aged 5/6 and above. Under 3s are not permitted to enter the theatre.
Don’t hesitate – hurry and get your golden ticket to seeing this performance whilst it’s in town.
Book your tickets (from £22) here; https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/