[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is my favourite Roald Dahl book! The rags to riches story of Charlie Bucket visiting Willy Wonka and his magical chocolate factory has captured the imagination of sweets-loving children around the world for over 50 years. The two films have also enjoyed popular acclaim.
Now the crazy imaginings of Roald Dahl are brought to life on stage in a musical adaptation. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory played in London’s West End and Broadway and the Capitol Theatre in Haymarket Sydney was its first stop in Australia. It is currently playing at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre and moves to the Lyric Theatre, Brisbane from March 2020.
We make a special trip up to Sydney just to see its first performance in Australia!
The musical features songs from the original 1971 Gene Wilder film, including Pure Imagination, The Candy Man, I’ve Got a Golden Ticket and the song of the Oompa Loompas. All of the other songs are original and to be honest I don’t particularly remember the songs from the new score.
The show is long (2 hours 30 minutes) so steel yourself for a pretty slow first half. First, it sets the scene for Charlie Bucket’s loving family members and poverty and Charlie’s first meeting with Willy Wonka.
Then it introduces the other characters (and their parents) who find the Golden Ticket. As per the book, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregard, Augustus Gloop and Mike Teevee are each odorous in a different way but the cultural stereotypes slapped on top the book’s descriptions are a bit irksome. Curiously, they are all played by adults – only Charlie Bucket is played by a child.
It’s only once the second half starts with everyone entering the chocolate factory that the fun really starts to begin. The kids are knocked off one by one and the stage design and special effects are fun, clever and memorable – particularly when Mike Teevee disappears and reappears in a miniature form inside the TV.
Find Hotels and Airbnbs near Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne
I laugh with surprise and delight as the Oompa Loompas arrive and for me, the clever rendition of these miniature workers (I won’t spoil how they are done) is the highlight of the show. Paul Slade Smith as Willy Wonka is the standout talent – he’s wacky, witty, dismissive and empathetic all at once.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is great fun for the young and young at heart. I recommend it for children age 6+ years so that they have the stamina for the long performance. It’s not interactive so there are no opportunities to talk, fidget or stretch legs until the interval.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is playing at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre from Friday 9 August to January 2020 before it moves to the Lyric Theatre, Brisbane from March 2020. Buy your tickets here.
And now you can book FREE kids tickets to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!
For performances from Wednesday 4 December to Sunday 8 December 2019, every child 15 years and under will receive a free ticket to the show when accompanied by a full paying adult. Plus, as a special behind the scenes bonus, children will get to experience the fun, the people and the magic behind the show. A host will take to the stage before the performance and introduce the audience to Her Majesty’s Theatre, the people of the theatre (Stage Manager, Wardrobe, Lighting, Sound, Orchestra etc) and a special on-stage scene starring competition winners from the audience.
For accommodation options in Melbourne, I recommend researching on Airbnb.
Click here for my review of Westin Melbourne’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed Wonka Bar
Click here for my review of Sugar Republic which features a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory room!
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”thon-hot-tips-panel”]HOT Tips:
- Suitable for 6+ years as the show is 2 hours 30 minutes long;
- Cloak large bags and backpacks;
- At the cloakroom ask for a seat cushion for younger children;
- Snacks include some wild Charlie and the Chocolate Factory show bag sweets, weirdly colourful slushies and the standard chocolate/chips/choc tops. To save money BYO treats!;
- There may be photo opportunities with a photo wall and Willy Wonka’s car parked out the front;
- Best to arrive via public transport (train, bus or light rail) as parking can be difficult and expensive; and
- For performances from Wednesday 4 December to Sunday 8 December 2019, every child 15 years and under will receive a free ticket to the show when accompanied by a full paying adult. Plus, as a special behind the scenes bonus, children will get to experience the fun, the people and the magic behind the show. A host will take to the stage before the performance and introduce the audience to Her Majesty’s Theatre, the people of the theatre (Stage Manager, Wardrobe, Lighting, Sound, Orchestra etc) and a special on-stage scene starring competition winners from the audience..
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