Wadhurst Dramatic Club
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory adapted by Richard R George
Wadhurst Commemoration Hall
Friday 31st January 2020
Director: Amanda Dann
Choreographer: Holly Sturnam

An ambitious choice integrating the three elements of WDC, enabling all age groups to work together and what a most ‘delicious’ result.  The hall was decorated with huge candy-striped sweets, lollipops and candy bars.  I was in my element, but the youngsters manning the sweet stall said they were not for sale and so had to settle for a small bar of fudge! Warmly greeted by stalwarts we were directed to good seats with the performance a sell-out. An effective top hat themed front page to the A5 shiny programme had been nicely put together by Catherine Whitehead and Jan Lynam. with thanks to Nick Dann for artwork and poster design. Jan was also responsible for co-ordinating the hair and makeup – animal face painting and finishing touches, with colour and glitter adding sparkle.

Nance and Colin Fyson had certainly spread their magic and together with the five creative team members, a set of colourful backdrops, dual aspect flats, factory gates, the amazing factory interior rooms, full of extraordinary equipment and piping, Wonka’s yacht all first class appeared.  A long side ramp built well into the hall gave an extra dimension to the action, with two huge tall suction tubes adding to the spectacle. The other side of the stage was the rubbish chute in which the family Salt met their demise! Set above was the one bed for the four oldies – great character parts as Charlie’s Grandparents. Grandpa Joe accompanied Charlie on his winning visit of the factory and rendered a moving song ‘Pure Imagination’. The others namely Catherine Whitehead, Russ Kirton in his nightshirt and cap and Tina Reed performed an entertaining walking stick dance routine. 

Lots of strange noises were evident throughout the magic being created by Bill Johnson and Russ Kirton, with good Lighting in the hands of stalwart John Bush, aloft together with John Clarke.  A debut I understand for Dan Thompson as SM, who certainly needed his wits about him. 

Take a bow Jill Haskell, Penny Bones and Gill Gordon Williams, for the costuming was a treat – from the psychedelic jumpsuit for Annamay Reed as the confident, expressive Narrator to the long gold tail coat and bright green shoes of Willy Wonka - beautifully articulating huge chunks of script, a commanding Louis Dunn -  the poorer family group, extravagance of others, and the wonderful colourful team of delightful curly green haired little Oompah Loompahs, who we fell in love with. They worked hard with their lyrics and their movements created by Holly.  Her opening and finale ensemble work also worthy of comment and praise.

Tonight’s four other ticket winners were greedy Augustus Gloop, well played by Harry Clifford – who drank and contaminated the Chocolate River and was sucked up into the pipes much to his Mother’s horror, Isa Webb playing this part. Hana Woods performed a credible Veruca Salt, one precocious child who wants everything. Her demise was down the rubbish chute after being attacked by squirrels who performed a delightful squirrel nutcracker dance,  who was closely and gamely followed by her parents – Merlin Beedell and Ros Knight!  Elsa Marshall portrayed gum chewing, with a good American accent, Violet Beauregarde again with much confidence accompanied by her blond hippy mother – lovely cameo part for Jan Lynam. Her darling blew up as an amazing giant blueberry.  Very well inflated and most amusing. Bored TV addict Mike Teavee was the last prize-winner – he was characterised by Michael Murphy complete with Stetson and was accompanied by similarly attired parents, who lost their pride and joy by pressing a remote in the Future Department and through the chocolate TV disappears in a puff of smoke and reappeared only inches tall, where he is pocketed in his father’s pants!

To all those who participated a ‘very well done’ for a fun experience – the audience very happy laughing and clapping along with the fine tuned choreographed ‘Candyman’.  An amazing job Amanda, not forgetting all those behind the scenes.
 
A happy end for our hero Charlie Bucket characterised beautifully by young, natural Theo Beak – basically rising from rags to riches, his transformation from struggle to success most expressive.

A précis of this Review will be posted on the NODA website shortly.

Anne Lawson
Regional Representative 
NODA SE
District 3

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