Western Sydney Musical Theatre: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Review by Helen Bell

Take a charismatic triple threat, an earnest, sweet child, a healthy serve of talented performers, mix with a generous sprinkling of adorable Oompa Loompas and present over school holidays... that’s Western Sydney Musical Theatre’s recipe for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Sarah Shanahan’s direction, Elise Simpson’s choreography, Joseph O’Reilly’s vocal direction and Althaia Frost’s multiple skills as Production Manager have blended to create a scrumptious show full of heart, character, spectacle and talent.

The Featured Dancers are a strong troupe; focused, energetic and acrobatic in fantastic costumes; Simpson’s chorey showcased their skills while progressing story with every move. The adorable Oompa Loompas were confident despite their young ages; watch out for these stars of the future.

It’s not a show with a lot of character ensemble scenes, although they contribute their vocals from side of stage throughout, and have some wonderful harmony moments under O’Reilly’s musical direction. Not to mention a scene playing Oompa Loompas that gets a bit nutty, where each member’s love for performing shines. 

Brayden Macfarlane-Walker as Wonka comes into his own when he reveals his dance talents and begins leading the visitors and the audience through the trips and traps of his factory. He keeps us transfixed and wondering with mischievous eyes even when not leading the dance ensemble or mastering tongue twisters. While it’s almost like he’s most comfortable when choreographed (maybe it’s the chocolate), he transports us through song beautifully while standing in the Glass Elevator. This scene is mesmerising thanks also to the lighting and projection effects lifting us all into the night sky.

Emmy Faber-Nelson (Alt: Brooke Wiles) played Charlie with a hopeful spirit and real sense of wonder, bringing character to her songs and expression beyond her years. The energetic movements in ‘Mr Wonka’, the play-acting as a chocolatier, the characterisation of her ‘Letter’ song help us see the world through Charlie’s eyes. Several of the characters, including Charlie are double-cast, no doubt because Charlie is a big role, almost constantly on stage, and Faber-Nelson maintained character and focus throughout, perhaps fatiguing just a little in her final song.

Jeremy Barons is engaging and warm as Grandpa Joe, and reminded us a little of Benny Hill when finding his feet to accompany Charlie to the Chocolate Factory. It’s almost disappointing we didn’t get to hear more of his stories, or more of his effortless singing.

Mrs Bucket (Lusiana Slade) whilst clearly hard-worked and depended upon, becomes dreamy, imaginative and tinged with grief during her song ‘If your father were here’, beautifully sung and acted by Slade, and quite moving.

Alaska Jarvis's talents are all over the stage, as Grandma Georgina, in sets, props and costuming (in collaboration with Shanahan), and most memorably as Mrs Teavee. She is electric in every way as the tipsy 50's housewife mum to a spoilt teen, breaking down in dance and nailing their introductory anthem.

Samuel Forbes is cocky and screen-obsessed as Mike Teavee,and like lots of kids these school holidays, never drops the attitude, especially when introducing himself through song.  Forbes showed off his physical acting skills in the maze scene with commitment and comedic flair. 

Ashlyn Mun was made to dance and strut as Violet Beauregarde the ‘Queen of Pop’ (Alt: Valentina Bagala), and the energy between her and on-stage stage-Dad Mr Beauregarde (Jason Mok) was fun to watch. Isabella Spagnolo is an adorably bratty Veruca Salt (Alt: Havana Collings), playing up the contrast between her graceful ballet skills and the tantrums that break Mr Salt’s (Jake Nelson) otherwise tough shell.

Somehow Xion Jarvis was cute as a button but also offputting in character as the always-hungry Augustus Gloop; the doting Mrs Gloop (Pollyanna Mok) is upbeat and energetic, with both playing up the accent to be very funny.

Taylah Lennard and Nirash Perera  as television announcers Cherry Sundae and Jerry Jubilee were chirpy and fun, and Pella Aleksandrova as Mrs Green the budget greengrocer got some great laughs.

The Greenhalgh theatre stage is large with no fixed sets, and it worked very well, cut down by lighting for the small Bucket apartment and used in full for the large factory rooms. The back wall projections add a little magic without distracting from the stars of the show, and the projection in the TV scene was creative and humourous.

As with any live gig, there were a few technical and timing bumps, but being opening night we are sure these will be smooth for the rest of the run.

Like Wonka’s golden tickets, performances are limited and the factory gates close on Sunday 13 July. If you live in, or want to visit, a world of pure imagination, go see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.