Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it with dew. Cover it with chocolate and a miracle or two? The Candy Man? Oh wait, no BBLOC can.
After their toe tapping spectacular of 42nd Street, Bournemouth and Boscombe Light Opera Company (or BBLOC for short) are taking audiences to a world of pure imagination with their staging of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The story follows Charlie Bucket, a young, hopeful inventor who can make something out of nothing. Living in a shack with their mum and grandparents they make the best of what they have and savour the little luxuries in life; especially chocolate. When the elusive chocolatier Willy Wonka decides to open his gates for 5 lucky children, the hunt is on to find the winning golden tickets. But when the group finally enter the factory, things are not all it seems and the lure of gluttony, greed, and expectations mean that unexpected things happen on their journey through the gates.
Whilst some of the original songs from the film have remained such as Candyman and Pure Imagination, I also loved the new songs that weaved throughout the show. They truly helped lead the story and make it magical, engaging, and captivating.
Having previously seen the UK tour of the show, I was eager to see how well this version stood up to it. And let me tell you, this version blew the professionals out of the glass elevator and truly might be one of the best shows that BBLOC have ever put on. With direction from the brilliant Helen Barrington, she showed a packed audience just how utterly fantastic the local theatre scene is. With mesmerising staging that left the audience in awe (I'm not going to spoil it!) and choreography that was on pointe! I can't honestly find anything to fault.
As I mentioned previously, this show is packed with so much local talent that blew me away. Bee Chumley played the brilliant Mrs Bucket. The motherly love that she radiated on stage was felt around the audience whilst the hilarity of Phillip Fry as Grandpa Joe had the audience in stitches. I loved Amy Cave and Rob Pike's double act as the TV reporters Cherry Sundae and Jerry Jubilee, their comedic timing was fantastic. I must also commend the team of Oompa-Loompa's for putting on such an engaging performance!
Each of the children paired perfectly with their parent counterparts. Molly Bennett's was perfectly poised as the spoilt Veruca Salt, whilst Millie Bagnall played the sassy Violet Beauregarde brilliantly. I loved Edward Alexanders enthusiasm as the gluttonous Augustus Gloop whilst Tom Carr played the apathetic screen obsessed Mike Teevee with such teenage angst that I couldn't have cast it better myself! Reuben Aukim-Schneider took on the mighty role of Charlie Bucket. To have such confidence and command of the stage at such a young age is something to commend.
Of course the star of the show is the one, the only, Willy Wonka. Taking on this mammoth role was Edward Brennan who was absolutely made for this role. From the moment the curtains raised to the moment the cast took their final bow he captivated the audience and took on the role of the Candy Man as if he was born to play it. The perfect blend of humour, sincerity, and magic, teamed with brilliant vocals left the audience giving a rapturous, much deserved applause.
I always talk about how much I love local theatre, but seeing BBLOC take on this show and have it exceed every expectation I could have ever imagined. There is no show I know that compares with BBLOC's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and you will be kicking yourself if you don't get a golden ticket!
On until Saturday 31/5. It can be seen at the Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth For ticket information follow the link: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tickets
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