Act Reviews 2024 / 2025 Season

in the storytelling the direction was uncomplicated allowing the characters to engage with the audience. The choreography fitted the concept like a glove and, once again, under the baton of the MD the musical interpretation was high. To give justice to this family-friendly musical a large cast was assembled. The Oompa Loompas did not disappoint. The ensemble as always with this company was convincing in all their individual characterisations. I have to mention the cameos and supporting roles for their supportive teamwork. Players of the Bucket family contributed to the drama. Andy Dolan, as Grandpa Joe, gave a particularly strong performance. The “Candy Man” himself, Willy Wonka, portrayed by Thomas Firth, captured the audience with buckets of charm and plenty of vigour. Thomas just embraced the role, great casting. In the title role Charlie Bucket sets a lot of challenges for the actor playing him. He is from a poor background with strong values and has to have a truthful relationship with Grandpa Bucket. Lucas McNab covered all the bases giving a very rounded, mature performance. This fantasy musical is rich with character roles such as the two contrasting mothers, Hannah Young, as the family matriarch Mrs Bucket, and Clare Moorhouse as booze-swigging Mrs Teavee. How could we forget Rachael Benfield as yodelling Mrs Gloop? These actresses added much to the production. To find the owners of the Golden tickets we are taken by a set of vignettes to meet the winning ticket holders, all linked by an entertaining TV news desk. They were the nasty Augustus Gloop (George Robinson), the horrid Veruca Salt (Emily Murison), the rude Violet Beauregard (Summer MacDonald) and the naughty Mike Teavee (Charley Green). These young performers excelled in their individual character development. They are all gathered for their tour of the confectionery palace. Each section of the factory was magical for the storytelling and for the audience; the projected

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