REVIEW – BMOS’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theater takes you on a ‘happy journey’

Once again, BMOS is at the forefront of big shows as soon as they are released for musical theater companies.

This time it’s Greig and Shaiman’s musical version of Roald Dahl’s dark fantasy Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

In short, Willie Wonka – the world’s most famous chocolatier – organizes a contest in which five golden tickets are hidden in his chocolate bars. The lucky winners get to spend a day with Mr Wonka in his chocolate factory and boldly go where no child has gone before!

The winners consist of four pampered men accompanied by their respective oafish parents and Charlie Bucket, a young man with a thirst for knowledge and a heart as golden as his winning ticket. He is accompanied by his poor but proud grandfather, Grandpa Joe. The men are sent through various unpleasant ways to implode and explode, and Charlie’s dreams come true.

All the principals gave strong performances, with special shout outs to Nick Owenford (who plays Joe as everyone’s favorite rambunctious slob), Annabel Pilcher (bringing warmth and depth to Mrs. Bucket, Charlie’s mother), Pat Pryce as Mr .Beauregard and Rachel Richards as his equally obnoxious daughter Violet, Ellen Tozer as the mischievous child Veruca Salt and Chris Fowler as the unlovable buffoon Augustus Gloop.

At press night, Theo Traat was warm and confident as Charlie Bucket (a role he shares with James Cowley).

Robbie Love is a real tour de force as Willy Wonka – he’s mysterious, aloof, scary and tender – all in varying shades of majestic. For my money, Love confidently fits into the hallowed shoes of Gene Wider and Johnny Depp.

Stephen Duckham directs with a capable hand, as does music director Callum Thompson, Aaron Gibson injects originality into the choreography, and Pete Watts has devised an imaginative lighting plot.

Act one is a bit long and a bit formulaic, but once inside the Madhouse that is Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, in act two, the show blossoms into a joyous journey of gadgets, gizmos and nonsense. The ensemble is strong and the singing throughout is very good.

BMOS brought home the bacon (or should that be chocolate) again with a fun outing for the whole family.

Apparently this show takes place in such a world-famous chocolate town – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory runs at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theater until Saturday. Click here for timetables, tickets and more information.

Review by Euan Rose

Euan Rose Review