Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
★★★★☆ Appetising treat
Edinburgh Academy (Venue 70): Fri 2 – Sat 17 Aug: 17:45
Review by Sophie Good
Community group Captivate Theatre present a new production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Edinburgh Academy which fills the mind with wonder.
This version of the well known children’s favourite is written by David Greig, based on Roald Dahl’s book about the boy who wins a Golden Ticket to visit Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. There, his fellow winners suffer various not-so-happy ends. This contemporary version is well rendered by an enthusiastic and energetic team at Captivate Theatre.
Charlie Bucket. Pic Captivate
Calum Caulfield makes a loveable and generous Charlie (rotating the role with Oliver Thomson) and is a capable lead, enthusiastically sharing his love affair with chocolate. John Knox as Willy Wonka perhaps lacks some of the exuberance and charisma expected in the role, but his sure-footed approach gives all the ensemble a chance to show what they’re made of.
Charlie’s bed-bound grandparents do a great comic turn, appearing on their balcony in their bed clothes. It is Grandpa Joe’s relationship with Charlie that really counts and Peter Tomassi brings an affable charm to the role. His comic turns on getting out of bed after forty years are as enjoyable as his vocals.
highly entertaining
There is a race for the golden ticket, led by comic newscasters Cherry and Jerry played by April Beattie and Flora Thomasson. Both make the most of the roles and are highly entertaining – although at times they inadvertently overshadow the ticket winners with their enthusiasm.
Mrs Gloop (Andrew Gardiner) and Augustus Gloop (Joshua Brown) are a great comic pairing, bringing us some Bavarian sausage and a passion for the gastronomic. Mrs Salt (Christine Mills) and Veruca Salt (Alice McAslan) have great chemistry and McAslan’s Russian-accented cries of ‘more’ are incredibly funny.
Jerry (Flora Thomasson) and the Gloops (Joshua Brown and Andrew Gardiner). Pic Captivate
Daniella Logan has three key roles, all of which she does justice to in different ways: notably the downtrodden Mrs Bucket and as the aspiring mom-agent Mrs Beauregarde. Logan’s song ‘The Queen of Pop’ which she shares with Elyssa Tait is a real highlight for the young audience who enjoyed this updated version which features a great ensemble dance number – also well choreographed by Logan.
The final pairing of Lucy Pedersen and Muir Tait as the screen addicted Teavees are equally entertaining and watchable.
It’s a long show for a young audience of 2hrs and 10 minutes and Captivate have adopted their usual minimalist set design well for the most part. At times, Wonka’s chocolate factory does miss the visual stimulus of the candy land you imagine they are exploring. Imagination is a key theme, however, so perhaps we are encouraged to exercise that.
Wonka and company. Pic Captivate
The ensemble cast are the Oompas, who are the moral glue that holds the show together; with their cautionary tales based on each child’s downfall. They work together well and are an entertaining interlude within the story.
A lot of work goes into these large cast shows and Captivate show no lack of ambition in bringing this piece to life. Director Sally Lyall keeps it flowing like the chocolate river all the way through and the live orchestra, directed by Maddy Barron, give a lively account of the score.
Fans of Willy Wonka (in it’s many different guises), lovers of chocolate or a right good story will all enjoy this musical and taste extravaganza.
Running time: Two hours and 10 minutes (including one interval)
Edinburgh Academy, 42 Henderson Row, EH3 5BL (Venue 70)
Fri 2 – Sat 17 August 2024
Daily at 5.45pm
Tickets and details: Book here.
Captivate Theatre links
Website: http://www.captivatetheatre.com/
Instagram: @captivatetheatre
Facebook: @captivatetheatre
X: @Captivate_LTD
Charlie and his Grandpa (Peter Tomassi). Pic: Captivate.
ENDS
An excellent performance by all cast and band. Thoroughly enjoyed by me, my wife and 13 year old daughter. It made for a great trip to the festival. We tend to take in some street performers then a show; and this one didn’t disappoint. Excellent venue too.