Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, has landed in Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre until the 20th May. For a whole two weeks, people will have the opportunity to attend this show and enjoy the magic it brings. We attended the opening night on Thursday and it was everything we imagined and more.
For the purpose of this review, we were given free entries to Roald Dahl’s, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Musical.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a beloved children’s novel by Roald Dahl, which has been adapted into several forms of media, including films, stage plays, and even an opera. One of the most recent adaptations is the musical version of the story, which premiered in London’s West End in 2013 and then made its way to Broadway in 2017. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Musical and explore what makes it such a fantastic adaptation of this classic story.
Plot
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a classic children’s novel written by Roald Dahl, first published in 1964. The story revolves around a young boy named Charlie Bucket, who lives with his parents and grandparents in a small, impoverished town. Charlie’s family is extremely poor, and they can barely afford to buy food, let alone candy or sweets. However, Charlie is a kind and optimistic child, and he never loses hope that things will get better.
One day, the famous candy maker, Willy Wonka, announces that he is going to open the gates of his mysterious chocolate factory to five lucky children who find golden tickets hidden in his candy bars. The entire world goes wild with excitement, and everyone wants to be one of the lucky few who get to see the magical factory. Charlie is desperate to find a golden ticket, but his family can’t afford to buy him candy, so he has to rely on pure luck. This story has a beautiful message of hope, love and humility, whilst providing joy and wonder to children as well as adults.
Set
One of the most notable things about the musical is the set design, which is simply breathtaking. The sets are designed to look like they are made out of candy and other sweet treats, which perfectly captures the whimsical and fantastical world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. The use of vibrant colors, lighting, and special effects also adds to the overall magical feel of the show.
The musical is directed by James Brining, Director/Chief of Leeds Playhouse. The music and lyrics were composed by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, who also worked on the hit musicals “Hairspray” and “Catch Me If You Can.” Together, the creative team has produced a dazzling and imaginative show that captures the spirit of the original story while adding its own unique flair.
Another highlight of the musical is the performances of the cast members, especially the actors who played Charlie Bucket (Isaac Sugden), Grandpa Joe (Michael D’Cruze) and Willy Wonka (Gareth Snook.) Each of the actors brought their own unique energy and charm to their roles, making Charlie and the other characters endearing and relatable. Meanwhile, Willy Wonka is portrayed as a quirky, whimsical, and slightly mysterious figure and if you have been to London or Broadway productions, they have featured strong performances from the actors who played this iconic character.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a musical without the music, and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” delivers on that front as well. The songs are catchy, fun, and often quite humorous, with titles like “The Candy Man,” “The Oompa Loompa Song,” and “It Must Be Believed to Be Seen.” The musical also included some poignant and emotional moments, particularly in the song “Pure Imagination”, which became our favourite song.
Conclusion
All in all, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Musical” is a delightful and entertaining show that is sure to please audiences of all ages. It captures the essence of Roald Dahl’s beloved story while also adding its own unique spin. With its stunning set design, strong performances, and catchy songs, it’s no wonder that this musical has become a favourite of theatre fans around the world.
Reviews from a younger audience:
The comments from our T.I.C (This is Cardiff) mini are as follows:
I like it so much, I want to cry – T.I.C mini (7 years old)
I want to go see Charlie and the Chocolate factory again – T.I.C mini (7 years old)
Cast
Charlie Bucket, played by Isaac Sugden
Grandpa Joe, played by Michael D’Cruze
Willy Wonka, played by Gareth Snook
Grandpa George / Mr Salt, played by Christopher Howell
Grandma Josephine / Mrs Gloop, played by Kate Milner Evans
Grandma Georgina / Mrs Beauregarde, played by Emily Winter
Mrs Bucket / Mrs Teavee, played by Leonie Spilsbury
Augustus Gloop, played by Robin Simoes Da Silva
Violet Beauregarde, played by Marisha Morgan
Veruca Salt, played by Emma Robotham Hunt
Mike Teavee, played by Teddy Hinde
Mrs Pratchett, played by Victoria Nicol
Jerry, played by Ewan Gillies
Cherry, played by Lucy Hutchison
A big thank you to Wales Millennium Centre for having us.
The length of this musical
The show runs for approximately 2 hours and 30 mins. Which includes a 20 minutes interval.
Getting your tickets
Book your GOLDEN TICKET! You can purchase your tickets HERE. The ticket prices start from £19.50 and the show is available until Saturday 20th May 2023. There is still availability in most days at the moment and remember to check the times of the shows, as they may vary.
Age guidance: 7+ (no under 2s). Further details can be found on their website.
If you have already watched this musical, let us know your thoughts in the comments below or if you go to watch it, come back here if you can and left us know too.
Read our previous review here and don’t forget to follow our socials Instagram and Twitter.
Thank you for reading.
Stay safe
Kay
