Tag Archives: Roald Dahl

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

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Tim Minchin’s Matilda has been an astounding hit the world over and I’m sure composer Mark Shaiman and lyricist Scott Wittman hoped for equal success with their long-awaited Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Roald Dahl’s “deliciously dark” tale follows the young Charlie Bucket whose chocolatey adventure certainly lends itself to the stage. An imaginative story of gleeful gluttony and exaggerated characters, this magical sugar-fuelled story cannot help but capture the minds of theatregoers young and old.

Housed in the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, it is Mark Thompson’s elaborate set and costumes that remain in my mind after the final curtain. The chocolate garden with an army of live squirrels and a team of hilariously peculiar Oompa-Loompas is a sight to behold. I couldn’t help but think the production costs for this show must have been in the millions.

The cast rise to the challenge, and the five young children are particularly convincing. I was amazed by their confidence and conviction of character creating these roles on stage for the very first time.

My senses were so overwhelmed I almost forgot about the importance of a musical’s script and music. Aside from the familiar song ‘Imagination’, the other songs are catchy but not memorable, similar I guess to the film.

I am sure Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will satisfy the appetite of all children, and I cannot deny it truly is a spectacle. But for slightly older musical theatre fans the impressive visuals may highlight the weak score in comparison.

More information here.

Book the best tickets here with Shows in London, starting from £40.99.

James and the Giant Peach, Chelmsford

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Another Roald Dahl adaptation and another hit. It is no surprise that these highly imaginative stories translate so well to the stage, only bizarre that it hasn’t been done sooner.

Everyone knows about Matilda’s staggering success in the West End (and now Broadway too) and most are aware of the imminent arrival of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but less have been notified of the smaller scale but equally magical production of James and the Giant Peach which is currently touring the country.

The heartbreaking problem is that this boutique show is not permitted within forty miles of London where the other bigger budget Dahl musicals are on stage in case families are persuaded by the lower ticket prices to choose it over the more expensive alternatives. Basically this means James and the Giant Peach won’t be coming to London any time soon; Matilda seems pretty permanent. It seems completely unfair that kids miss out on this marvellous production.

The Birmingham Stage Company bring life and laughter to this well known story about a young boy and his adventures with a giant peach. This inventive and enterprising show is a blast, suitable for all ages, equally entertaining for adults and kids. Every detail of the narrative is given thought, for which director Nikolai Foster should receive huge praise. The eight cast members (Tom Gillies, Chris Lindon, Claire Greenway, Sioned Saunders, Iwan Tudor, Rhys Saunders, Giovanna Ryan, Oliver Lynes) show astounding teamwork. Working together, they exceed expectations with an impossible task to provide a plethora of characters, dealing with set changes, arranging numerous props accordingly and providing the entire live musical accompaniment on about twenty different instruments. It is quite unbelievable how they do this so effortlessly and seamlessly throughout the two hour show, and I am in total awe of them all.

Amazingly this Birmingham based company has produced more Roald Dahl productions than any other company in the world and their knowledge and understanding of the writer is clear in the nuanced way the books are performed. James and the Giant Peach travels to a different city every week… please raise awareness for this show and try to visit it wherever you can, I promise it is worth the trip.

More information and book here.