Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Wednesday 19th June 7:30pm 
Stalls: B24-B25

Just when you thought the west end couldn't get any better...along comes Charlie and The Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The theatre that was once home to Shrek the Musical has now been transferred from the former swamp to the delights of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Emporium.

This musical adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic has caused an excited buzz online with many teasers and trailers, and I must admit upon entering the auditorium my excitement for this production was like a 'kid in a sweet shop!' Among the full house were many other school parties and families eagerly waiting with their golden tickets ready to view this theatrical spectacle.

This production is still in its preview stages and therefore not received any critical acclaim so I will try not to spoil too much on this review. However from start to finish this production is a delight! 

As the musical starts we enter a grey and dreary 'junk yard' with Charlie Bucket (at this performance Tom Klenerman) scouring for 'Almost Nearly Perfect' pieces of treasure. Unlike other musicals, this opening number is no ensemble clad toe tapper - it is simple and enchanting and no showy affair. Swiftly moving into the home of the Bucket family we are introduced into a lovely set containing the infamous double bed shared by Charlie's four grandparents - Grandpa Jo and Josephine (Nigel Planer and Roni Page) and Grandpa George and Georgina (Billy Boyle and Myra Sands). The four grandparents are humorous and share some lovely scenes particularly in the first half with Charlie and Mr and Mrs Bucket (Jack Shalloo and Alex Clatworthy).

However the real action begins as we are introduced to the other four golden ticket winners. Each of the child actors alternate in the leading roles and at this performance we had the pleasure of seeing: Augustus Gloop (Harrison Slater), Veruca Salt (Ellie Simons), Violet Beauragade (Mya Olaye) and Mike Teavee (Luca Toomey). As each of the characters appear on a gigantic television screen there are some great comedy numbers - my favourites being 'When Veruca Says' with some brilliant ballet performed by Simons and 'The Double Bubble Duchess' with a fantastic rap and musical performance by Olaye supported by Paul J Medford as Mr Beauragade. 

On entrance to the chocolate factory we are introduced to Douglas Hodge who stars as the incredible Mr Willy Wonka. An acclaimed Olivier-nominated Actor and Director this part is made for Mr Hodge and he gives a sparkling performance in the leading role. Unlike those before him who have played the iconic character, Hodge is no Gene Wilder or Johnny Depp and effectively puts his own spin on the

eccentric chocolatier.

 He is joined by the ensemble who star as the Oompa lumpas and for me the hilarious performances really steal the show. Using puppetry and illusions the Oompa Lumpas are brought to life with some extremely clever choreography (Peter Darling) and costumes (Mark Thompson) that make the performers appear as half their original size and comical as the 'Mini men.'

As you would expect from the original book and film all of Willy Wonka's inventions are extraordinarily brought to life by Director Sam Mendes and this production is really too good to be true. Before your eyes, Mike Teevee is shrunken to polly pocket size, Violet Beauregade turns into a giant Blueberry and Augustus Gloop is sucked into the Chocolate pipe! You really have to see it to believe it!

Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman have created a contemporary original musical score and David Greig has provided an excellent script that transforms the original page to stage. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory really is the hottest golden ticket in town and I predict will be a Smash Hit for the West End. A thoroughly enjoyable theatrical production that I could watch again and again!

London Weekend

This weekend I had the pleasure of visiting London's West End for my 21st Birthday and got to see three shows - Billy Elliot, Wicked and Matilda. Having seen all of these shows multiple times, this is just a picture blog of what we got up to and cast comments and seat reviews.

Billy Elliot

Victoria Palace Theatre - 4th May 2013 - 2.30pm

Seats: Stalls B5-6

This was the third time I had seen Billy Elliot and I definitely don't think it will be the last. This show has stood the test of time in London's West End, and this beautiful Theatre now stands alone among the major refurbishment of London Victoria. At this performance we had a full cast and Tade Biesinger excelled in the role of Billy. Tade had also played the role of Billy on Broadway and he really lived and breathed the part and seemed to thoroughly enjoy every minute onstage. Our restricted stalls seats were good value for money and the only downside of sitting so close was being unable to see the fantastic footwork displayed by the cast. Great performances came from Gillian Bevan (Mrs Wilkinson), Deka Walmsley (Dad) and Simon Ray Harvey (Mr Braithwaite) The ensemble choreography is stunning and the ballet girls at this performances had fantastic energy. Billy is well worthy of his recent BBC 2 Audience Award at the Olivier's 2013.

Wicked

Apollo Victoria Theatre - 4th May 2013 - 7.30pm
Seats: Stalls C

Everyone who knows me, knows I am a Wicked fanatic and this was my 12th visit to the Apollo Victoria. On most occasions we sit in the 'Restricted Stalls' seats found on the end of the aisles and in fact they are really no more restricted than the £65 seats next door! I was really hoping that for this performance Louise Dearman would be on as Elphaba as was disappointed that we had gone previously and she was off ill. (Standby Elphie Hayley Gallivan was a superb replacement and the disappointment soon disappeared.) I was thrilled that Louise Dearman was on for this performance and she really excelled in the part and I am still unable to decide whether I prefer her portrayal of Elphie or Glinda the best. Lucy Van Gasse was beautiful as Glinda in the absence of Miss Gina Beck and her characterization of the role was very fresh and 'Blonde.' One thing I really like about the Apollo Victoria is that in the absence of a major principal, standby photograph sheets are included in the programme and I think this is a really nice touch.

The view from our seats

On our return back to our hotel (The Reuben's at the Palace) we were 'thrillified' to find that our room had been turned down with a 'Wicked' Theme and we had been left some 'Oztastic' cupcakes to enjoy after the show! Yummy!

Matilda The Musical
Cambridge Theatre - 5th May 2013 - 3.00pm
Seats: Upper Circle G17-18

After a lovely full english breakfast we set off to Covent Garden for shopping and to see the matinee performance of Matilda the Musical. I have seen this show now three times and have previously blogged about the show (Check it out)....
Again we had a full cast and had the pleasure of seeing Miss Lucy Mae Beacock in her final performance as Matilda - what a talented young lady. Our seats were in the middle of the upper circle and we had plenty of room to stretch our legs. The only difficulty in these seats were that we had to lean forward multiple times in order to see the cast when they positioned themselves at the front of the stage. These tickets weren't listed as restricted although we felt that for the price we payed we shouldn't have had difficulty in seeing the cast. I have however sat front of stalls on a previous visit, but on reflection much preferred sitting higher up in order to take in the amazing choreography. Parents should note that the Cambridge Theatre Upper Circle is very high and the children behind us had difficulty seeing the show and spent most of the First half kicking our chairs! However we had a great afternoon at Matilda and would thoroughly recommend this show to Families and lovers of the film!

Our view from Grand Circle Seats G17/18