As we stepped into the grand atrium of the Theatre Drury Lane, the children behind us were singing “We’re going to the theatre, We’re going to the theatre”. Now I’m not the greatest lover of musicals – I wasn’t that keen on Shrek or Wicked although I admit that I thought Matilda was simply marvellous.
But Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is in a league of its own. It is truly wondrous. The kids, the tourists, the couples – everyone who was there agreed. This was theatre magic of a different kind entirely.
Mark Thompson, the set designer, must surely get an award for this show. The opening scene was of a rubbish heap. Astonishing. The Bucket’s house, all higgedly-piggedly, with the grandparents in sliding beds was truly a sight to behold.
In every minute your eyes were busy taking in almost hidden twinkling lights, delicately crafted feature details and enormous structures that somehow morphed seamlessly into boats and factories and more. I can’t imagine what the budget might have been – a small fortune. But the effect was worth every penny.
The acting was of an incredibly high standard. Whilst you expect career actors such as Douglas Hodge (Willy Wonka) and Nigel Planer (Grandpa Jo) to make an impact, there was a cast of child stars here who all have very bright futures ahead.
Looking like a mini Harry Potter – but much more credible and likeable – was 11 year old Louis Suc in the role of Charlie Bucket (there are three other “Charlies” in the cast). The kid can act, the kid can dance and the kid can even sing. Those playing Veruca, Violet, Augustus and Mike Teavee also provided comic, polished and professional performances.
Back to the staging. At the start there was a full screen, humorous animation – beautifully illustrated by Quentin Blake – of the chocolate making process. The projected images both outside and deep within the depths of the factory were breath-taking. And the special effects – whether chocolate waterfalls, glitter ball bursting blueberries, neon bright TV transmission machines, personality-full sweet-making robots, vast networks of pipework or illuminated glass elevators that flew magically in the air – just kept on coming.
There was proper shadow theatre and ballet dancing squirrels. The lyrics were crisp and funny – although sometimes the songs were just a tad too fast for me to catch every nuance. The orchestra was led by a maniacally-smiling passionate conductor. There were rap numbers and amazing Ooompa-Loompa 1970s disco scenes complete with rollerblades and electronic raves as well as soulful ballads and pick-you-up cheerful tunes – something for absolutely everyone.
And, of course, that fantastic story that seems just so bang up to date. Kids over-eating to the point of obesity, spoilt rich kids always demanding more, computer-game-crazed psycho-brats driving their parents to distraction and media-bait mini-celebrities. And the underlying moral – kind hearted and well behaved poor kids and nasty, badly behaved rich kids. That makes a nice change.
Sam Mendes, the director, must be very, very proud of his work.
There’s still some of the school holidays left in which to treat your kids to an adventure in Covent Garden – I urge you take them to see this show. Whether they are four or fourteen. Hell, even if you haven’t got any kids this is absolutely the golden ticket of the year.
www.CharlieandtheChocolateFactory.com
Twitter @CharlieChoc_UK
http://www.reallyuseful.com/theatres/theatre-royal-drury-lane/ Tickets from £25
