Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sheffield City Hall

Manor Operatic Society has a reputation for producing high quality shows with seemingly no expense spared, and this production is no exception.

From the moment eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka appears in his purple tailcoat and top hat, it is clear that the audience is in for a visual treat. As Wonka, Dylan Lambert hardly leaves the stage and his flawless singing and stage presence carry the show. Any professional actor would be proud of this performance. His vocals are strong throughout, and his final song ‘The View From Here’ is especially impressive. It’s very clear, this ‘Candy Man’ certainly can!

Also impressive is the engaging Rafe Newton as the night’s Charlie Bucket. He gives a confident, likeable performance. His dialogue and his singing voice are clear and strong. He has a natural chemistry with Callum Fellows as Grandpa Joe, which is delightful to watch. This is a remarkably mature performance from such a young actor. According to the programme, Fellows is still in his 20s, so it’s remarkable that he is so convincing playing a very old man without resorting to caricature. The scene where Grandpa Joe finally gets out of bed after 40 years, with clever, unsteady choreography, is very amusing.

Lisa England shines as Mrs Buckett, her voice is pure and clear and her song ‘If Your Father Were Here’ is quite moving. Other than Charlie, all the golden ticket winners are played by adults, and give excellent performances. The Gloops’ Bavarian song ‘More of Him to Love’ is lots of fun, with colourful costumes and great yodelling! Augustus (Sam Symonds) and his mother (Emily McGeoch) both play their comedy roles well. Another stand out performance is from Emily May Hoyland as neurotic Mrs Teavee. Her song ‘That Little Man of Mine’ is a show highlight.

Evie Bradford has real poise as Veruca Salt. She is a very accomplished dancer and her ballet moves are beautiful. Katie Ann Dolling exudes attitude as Violet Beauregarde.

The set is very striking with excellent props, especially in the chocolate factory in the second half. Wonka’s mixing machine and the glass elevator are especially effective. Many of the effects are achieved using high quality animated projections. These are colourful and eye catching and really do enhance the whole production.

Wonka’s factory workers, the Oompa Loompas, completely fill the stage in the chocolate factory. They all perform well individually and their costumes are great, but there are so many of them it can feel a little overwhelming. It is also not always easy to hear their complex lyrics clearly with so many voices, which is a shame as they explain the demise of the golden ticket holders, which is important to the narrative.

There were a few minor technical issues with microphones not working in the night’s performance, but still the sound balance is perfect. The dialogue can be clearly heard over incidental music, which is really difficult to achieve in a large venue like this one.

The live band, led by Andy Collis, sounds wonderful and due to a good deal of incidental music in this show are kept working hard.

It is truly amazing that such a high quality production has been achieved by an amateur society. Any one of these performers would not be out of place on a professional stage. Sheffield audiences are very fortunate to have so much local talent.

Book by: David Greig
Music by: Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by: Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
Based on the novel by: Roald Dahl
Songs from the motion picture by: Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Directed/Produced by: Richard Bradford
Directed/Choreographed by: Linda Kelly
Musical Direction by: Andy Collis

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory plays at Sheffield City Hall until Saturday 17 May.