Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Musical

**Picture**: Terms and conditions of entry for the Wonka Golden Ticket winners *(image credit: Creative Futures Photography*).

Introspect Theatre Company aims high, inspiring students at Northpine Christian College (NCC) to dream big. From what I recall, my school’s drama productions included the 1920s styled musical The Boy Friend, and the classic Toad of Toad Hall play. Let’s just say that I would much rather have had the opportunity to cheer my friends on if they had been performing in a professional musical that draws on a popular (and much more contemporary) book and film!

For anyone who isn’t familiar with the story… the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Musical draws on Roald Dahl’s novel and the 2005 film; a reworked version of the tale of the impoverished Charlie Bucket, one of five children to find a golden ticket to visit the mysterious Wonka Chocolate Factory. The children, and their adult chaperones, experience a magical world full of innovative sugary treats and trials that sorely test the greedy and selfish. Of course (sorry… spoiler…) our humble and loyal hero receives a reward beyond dreams. As Cindy Sykes (Director and Drama Teacher), notes this challenging musical is a great choice for NCC as, “at its core, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a story about dreams coming true, the importance of family, and the transformative power of love and kindness.” There is certainly a lot of love and kindness on display in this July 2024 show, as the creative team—which includes teachers and community volunteers—decided to work with a double cast, giving more students the opportunity to ‘tread the boards.’

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Musical is a demanding piece, as the two leads are on stage for most of the show and are each required to be charismatic performers who can both sing and act. At the Sunday matinee, we had the opportunity to admire the work of the main cast, led by Tessa Parrish (Willy Wonka/The Candy Man) and Harlow Day (Charlie Bucket). Tessa Parish is fantastic in the iconic roles of The Candy Man and Willy Wonka—portraying a controlling, quirky, and creative individual who can be both serious and funny. I particularly enjoyed Tessa’s capricious Candy Man (and great ‘The Candy Man’ vocals), as well as Tessa’s Wonka work in ‘It Must Be Believed to Be Seen’ and in ‘Strike That! Reverse It!’

Harlow Day’s Charlie Bucket struck a lovely balance between pluck and pathos, with a charming rendition of the Act One ‘Willy Wonka! Willy Wonka!’. Harlow was strongest when acting alongside Findlay Meighan (an enjoyable Grandpa Joe) and Tessa Parish, and I loved seeing Harlow’s increasing disbelief as each of his fellow Golden Ticket winners fell by the wayside in Willie Wonka’s ‘tests.’

I don’t have the space to comment on every student who took to the stage, but all four of the ‘losing winner’ parent/child combinations were also well-cast, and each performer clearly enjoyed the opportunity to play these exaggerated roles. Annabella Green was excellent as a Germanic Mrs Gloop, alongside her over-fed son Augustus Gloop (great comic work by Chastain Yu). Ella Thistleton (Veruca Salt & Dancer) graced the stage with some charming en pointe work, and balanced the graceful moves with some very amusing, petulant demands addressed at her doting father (Mr Salt, ably portrayed by Lachlann Green). I was impressed by Agolory Agolory’s mature portrayal of the over-confident Mr Beauregarde, and Matilda Day’s Violet Beauregarde was memorable for being quite so spoiled and demanding (Mathilda is clearly a talented actor, as she is an Oompa Loompa and is also understudying the Charlie Bucket role). Charlotte Gee is excellent as Mrs Teavee, drawing many wry chuckles from the parents in the audience as she finally takes control of her wayward son (and Raphael Bates created a very believable Mike Teavee, which is why I am sure I heard a few cheers from the audience as Mike Teavee was removed from the TV screen!).

Finally, a special mention for Jessica Chester (a charming portrayal of the harassed Mrs Bucket, which included the poignant ‘If Your Father Were Here’ number), and for the lovely "Chocolate TV" work by reporters Cherry Sundae (Hannah Oldfield) and Jerry Jubilee (Huxley Ah-Him). Great work also by the ensemble, dancers (Choreography by Szonja Meszaros and Alexis Cooper), Oompa Loompas, and supporting actors.

And, when it comes to support, Cindy Sykes has inspired some stellar work by fellow creatives, including professional stage management (the hard-working Hope Robertson), excellent costumes (Costume designer, Chrissy Rabbas), an impressive set (Props Master & Set Designer, Kimanh Le Roux), amazing projections (Projection Designer, Stacey Coralde), and professional sound and lighting work (Dwane Hedges and Rafaela Baltar Fagundes). Hats off also to Callum Kennedy (Musical Director); I am guessing that a ‘double cast’ musical, with most of the music played live by the NCC orchestra, requires lots of dedicated out of hours work for Mr Kennedy….

Yes, this is a school production, which means that not every note or ‘mark’ is hit. But, with tickets priced at $15-$20, the audience gets so much more than their money’s worth; a chance to enjoy a few hours watching live entertainment, to celebrate the hard work of some inspiring teachers (and their fellow volunteers, parents, and supporters), and to encourage NCC students to aim high… all of which means that every ticket is golden.

Catherine Lawrence

**Picture**: Charlie Bucket’s Grandparents (Findlay Meighan, Abby Du Plessis, Matilda Ready, and Joshua Darcy) catching up on the news. *Image credit: Creative Futures Photography*.

Audience Information: Northpine Christian College’s production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Musical, produced in partnership with Introspect Theatre Company, has only five performances in this run (20, 21, 25 [understudy show], 27 and 28 July, 2024). 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval). All ages (8+ recommended). Tickets: $15-$20, plus $2.50 Books for Schools ‘booking fee’ (free for children under two; $70 Family tickets also available for 2 adults and 2 children). All seats give a great view, and I’d recommend the more comfortable raked seating (aim for rows F-J). The performance space at the Northpine Christian College is toward the back of the campus, a few minutes’ walk from the main entrance carpark (29 Hughes Road East, Dakabin QLD 4503).

The reviewer attended the Introspect Theatre Company's Sunday 21st July matinee performance (1:30pm).

ALL images credit Creative Futures Photography.

Credits: Based on Roald Dahl's Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, credits for the 2013 Musical include David Greig (Book), Marc Shaiman (Music), Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Lyrics). Production licensed by Music theatre International (Australasia), with all performance materials supplied by Hal Leonard Australia.

Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Musical

Geoff Lawrence