Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
★★★★☆ Pure imagination
Church Hill Theatre: Wed 4 – Sat 7 Dec 2024
Review by Hugh Simpson
Balerno Theatre Company’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Church Hill may not be a traditional Christmas show but certainly provides a large helping of festive cheer.
Roald Dahl’s original book, about the reclusive chocolatier Willy Wonka who opens his factory to competition winners, has become a media franchise and surely needs little introduction. This is the musical version, originally seen in 2013, with a book by David Greig, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman. It also includes a couple of well-known Leslie Bricusse/Anthony Newley numbers from the 1971 movie; not necessarily a good idea, since it just shows how unmemorable the other songs are.
Iona Irving and Ade Smith in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Balerno Theatre Company. Pic: Sarah Hendrie
Other drawbacks of this adaptation are still evident. The storytelling can be clunky and episodic, and it takes a ridiculously long time to get going. However, it is great fun, and it has to be said that this production nails the magic of the story much better than the touring version seen in Edinburgh not so long ago.
While that relied heavily on expensive video effects, this benefits from Fraser Grant’s constantly inventive and imaginative direction. This seeks to stimulate the imagination rather than impress with its cleverness, although when required there are some nifty theatrical effects. The result is pacy and endlessly pleasing.
quite simply excellent
Following on from the professional versions, the golden ticket-winning children are all played by slightly older performers with the exception of Charlie himself. Iona Irving alternates the role with Lillie Paul and is quite simply excellent, with real stage presence, a clear voice and enviable comic timing.
Michael Davies and Iona Irving in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Balerno Theatre Company. Pic: Sarah Hendrie
Michael Davies, meanwhile, has that combination of the twinkling and the forbidding that the role of Willy Wonka demands. As well as acting, Davies is responsible for the marvellous set design, with its imposing gates and walls.
Ade Smith gives Grandpa Joe a gleeful likeability, with Joanne Goodall, George Mackie and Susan Denham providing strong support as Charlie’s other grandparents. Jessica Russell has the required pathos as Charlie’s mother.
Special mention
As the other competition winners, Kayleigh Glover, Kate Hammond, Molly Mae Talbot and Fay Marshall all have genuine impact, with Lily Braid, Hamish McCool, Paul Calder and Ashley Cosgrove similarly impressing as their respective parents. Special mention must go to Hammond’s dancing as Veruca Salt and Marshall’s stroppy Mike Teavee.
Michael Davies and company in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Balerno Theatre Company. Pic: Sarah Hendrie
Amy Lindsay’s vendor of disgusting vegetables and Peter McLean and Susanna Anderson’s TV anchors also have comic authority.
It is one of the unavoidable faults in the musical’s construction that it has so many small named roles and correspondingly less time for the ensemble, who nevertheless impress whenever called upon. The featured dancers Ava Tulloch, Erin Kempton, Hannah Kelly and Katie McLeod are particularly good, with Darren Johnson’s choreography strong throughout. The band under MD James McCutcheon are tuneful and unflagging.
impressive
MM Sound & Lighting provide the production’s technical side. While it is all impressive, there are some issues with the sound. The quieter songs work fine, but louder numbers are oddly balanced and sometimes muddy, with too many of the lyrics very difficult to work out.
What is happening on stage always makes up for it, however, in a production that has its fair share of magic.
Running time: Two hours and 35 minutes (including one interval)
Church Hill Theatre, 30 Morningside Rd, EH10 4DR
Wednesday 4 – Saturday 7 December 2024
Evenings at 7.30 pm; Matinees Fri 2.30 pm, Sat 2.00 pm
Tickets and details: Book here.
BTC Website: www.balernotheatrecompany.co.uk
Facebook: @balernotheatrecompany.
Instagram: @balernotheatrecompany
A scene from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Balerno Theatre Company. Pic: Sarah Hendrie
ENDS
