Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

[David J]

Thought I'd put my thoughts here 

Okay I've just seen this for a second time, and I have no need to see it again

It isn't just bad that the songs are bland, the main character is passive, a lot of the first act taking place in a shack, and the factory tour being grounded by the repetitive nature of the story and sequence of sets.

It's just that the one magical scene to be found is now missing the legs to carry it, which is Pure Imagination. I was sitting in the front row on the left side and could clearly hear the loud thumping noises, and I thought "they're not bringing the elevator through the stage are they"

And indeed the elevator is trundled on on top of this great big platform that was clearly the new lift. It only levitates a few metres and as mentioned it just goes left and right. At times stopping long enough to get a good view of the outline of the lift. And the elevator still jitters around occasionally.

It just looked sad really.

On another note I will say that If Your Mother Were Here has slightly been improved. Mr Bucket sings the 1-2 verses before Mrs Buckett returns home. He goes off to find work and then she sings "If your father were here". Then the two sing the rest of the song. Better, and it doesn't make me think that Charlie's mum had died.

It just still feels redundant by the fact this song is about the absence of the parents, who are the very ones who are singing this to Charlie. Maybe this was meant to suggest that they don't spend a lot of time at home with Charlie because they are out all day looking for work after Mr Bucket lost his job. But that is let down by the fact that they've been onstage in the Bucket house for the last 20 minutes, and Charlie has never indicated that he misses them.

Now Jonathan Slinger

He is much better now compared to the audio recording of him a few pages back. He's cut back on delivering the lines with force and he does have a good singing voice, which also has hints of madness and eccentricity

*sigh*

He's just not Willy Wonka

I was worried about this back when he was announced, and my fears were correct. I've seen all his RSC performances 2006 to 2013. None of them spell a lovable, eccentric, man with sparkling eyes and a beaming face. The only one that comes close is his extravagant Richard II, and even then you saw a dour side to him when he took off his curly wig.

And that's how I'd describe his Wonka. Dour. With the occasional weird smile.

I think he was going for a reclusive man, shut away from society in his factory. Eager to show his work but withdrawn from human interaction. Just not welcoming at all and lacking warmth. It isn't enough to carry the second act

If I was Charlie and he offered me the factory, I'd think "uh, uh, I don't want to shut myself up and become you"

Of the three, Douglas Hodge and Alex Jennings (based on videos and bootlegs) were way better

[daniel]

Going to see this tonight - I'm going in very much with an open mind. I've spoken to people who loved it, and equally to people who loathed it, so I'm going to go in with an open mind and see what I make of it!

[Mark]

I'm the same as you. Twice is enough and I won't be returning (unless for whatever reason I get a freebie)

[Michael]

Jan 21, 2016 20:28:53 GMT @kevinuk said:

I enjoyed it a lot more the second time I saw it, and despite its flaws, can see why it's lasted. I'd like to see it say farewell though, purely because it's not a theatrical classic and we need some new musicals in town.

But what shows could want the Drury Lane? It's one of the West End's biggest theatres with almost 2200 seats, and I can't think of any show that'd want - let alone sell out - such a big theatre. Even Aladdin opted for the smaller Prince Edward.

[daniel]

So I actually enjoyed this tonight, a lot more than I was expecting to in fact. Sure the songs aren't the most memorable, but as an overall package I thought the show was very good. Really impressed with the sets on the whole, though the chocolate river was naff and the scissor-lift sideways-only elevator was a little underwhelming. Full cast barring 2nd cover Mrs Teevee - energy was great and I thought they were all very good.

Good show, wouldn't rush back to it but certainly worth the £40 I paid on GILT.

3.5 stars

[Deleted]

I saw the show last night, having not seen it since Alex Jennings took over. I really liked Jonathan Slinger. He's just the right amount of weird and actually quite scary, but also rather childlike.

Kraig Thornber was on for Grandpa Joe and was marvellous and Myra Sands as Grandma Georgina is just perfect!!

Wasn't hugely impressed with the new Elevator, though I did notice it is significantly quieter than the original.

Balcony was closed, but remaining 3 levels were busy, which is great for a Wednesday night in January.

Glad it's still going - I imagine it does brilliant business during half-terms and holidays! 

[dan]

So just out of Charlie tonight...

Firstly, it was packed. I was in the balcony and that was completely full. Trouble with the balcony is EVERYBODY leaning forward!

I saw Charlie when it first opened and really enjoyed it.

I've got to say I'm completely underwhelmed this evening. It was pleasant and I didn't dislike it, but some things that have changed left me deflated. Particularly the elevator. I could hardly tell if the elevator went up more than 2 or 3 feet, but other than that just clunkily went from left to right, then back again. You can see the platform it's wheeled out on throughout it's "flight" and the elevator doesn't angle at all. It's just upright and moves slowly across and back again. I really liked the elevator when it opened and it was somewhat momentous for the second act, but now it's a non event. It also sounded like Wonka's songs were modulated down a couple of keys and notes that were written to be held or belted, were definitely not.

There was an Oompa Loompa missing, the grandparents' bed didn't move around like it used to. Crew came on a couple of times to wheel things that used to be automated (from my recollection). Some glitter fell before Violet's song even starts.

I do really like the TV scenes of golden tickets being found but the lyrics are very hard to hear for most of them.

I almost wish I'd not gone again so I could preserve my initial experience. Still enjoyable but it's come down a few notches for me.

And that elevator?!!

[Michael]

www.westendframe.com/2016/02/charlie-and-chocolate-factory-to-close.html

If I understand this correctly, the producers have announced that Charlie will be closing during its fourth and final year (currently booking until 7th January 2017) but not exactly when.

[HereForTheatre]

I saw it once and found myself quite disappointed. Most of the first act just really dragged for me, the chocolate waterfall was a let down and none of the songs were memorable. It had it's moments but it never captured the magic of the film for me.

This is a large theatre to fill. Luckily we do seem to having quite few big Broadaway shows wanting to come over. I also remembered some talk of how SOR was now not destined for The Palladium, i wonder if it's because this came up? Ties in with the change in opening date as well from this year to early next....

[DebbieDoesDouglas(Hodge)]

Thank god.
Wonder what will move in......?!?!

[Michael]

Feb 23, 2016 11:29:31 GMT HereForTheatre said:

I saw it once and found myself quite disappointed. Most of the first act just really dragged for me, the chocolate waterfall was a let down and none of the songs were memorable. It had it's moments but it never captured the magic of the film for me.

Same for me, even though I sort-of enjoyed If your mother were here, and It must be believed to be seen was quite a good song. For me Shaiman's worst score.

Will King and I follow? I struggle to come up with any shows that could sell out one of the West End's biggest theatres.

[HereForTheatre]

Feb 23, 2016 11:40:13 GMT Michael said:

Feb 23, 2016 11:29:31 GMT HereForTheatre said:

I saw it once and found myself quite disappointed. Most of the first act just really dragged for me, the chocolate waterfall was a let down and none of the songs were memorable. It had it's moments but it never captured the magic of the film for me.

Same for me, even though I sort-of enjoyed If your mother were here, and It must be believed to be seen was quite a good song. For me Shaiman's worst score.

Will King and I follow? I struggle to come up with any shows that could sell out one of the West End's biggest theatres.

Oh i quite liked It must be believed to be seen but i honestly can't remember a single other song save for the vidiots(sp?) one because it's annoying.

I am quite convinced School Of Rock is going in there. As i said, there was talk The Palladium was no longer going to be it's home and it suddenly changed from opening this autumn to early next year. All of which points to me DL coming up and them decidng to open there when Charlie finished. 

[theatre-turtle]

Would Hamilton be a possible suitor?

[Deleted]

Well four years is a great run and I really liked the show so happy me! my money is on The King and I!

[mrbarnaby]

Hamilton would be swallowed whole by that theatre. I'm sure they will need that many seats though. Regardless- Hamilton is booked into the Victoria Palace..!

[theatre-turtle]

Feb 23, 2016 12:00:58 GMT mrbarnaby said:

Hamilton would be swallowed whole by that theatre. I'm sure they will need that many seats though. Regardless- Hamilton is booked into the Victoria Palace..!

Interesting... I wonder where Billy Elliott will go when it returns to the west end then. Where did you hear about Hamilton?

[Someone in a tree]

Oh another big musical I never got round to seeing :-)

[daniel]

Interesting that the UK Tour is now confirmed too...I remember getting shot down by certain "always right" posters a while ago when I mentioned it was pencilling in tour venues!

[theatrenewbie]

My bet is that an American Paris will move in here it needs a big stage and from the auditon site rehearsals would begin in January 2017 which X gives times to clear the theatre and build the set etc.

[Phantom of London]

are we going for a Broadway type January meltdown here with mass closures? With Bodyguard and Showboat already announced closing in January!

[Deleted]

Not sure what to make of this closing really. I suppose it's had a good run after 3 and 1/2 years considering the reception has generally been mixed from both audiences and critics (Same sort of lengths as the original Chitty and Mary Poppins).

It's weird, I don't think many people would have thought about 10 years ago that out of the two Roald Dahl musicals, Matilda would outrun and be more acclaimed than Charlie. I suppose many people's (myself included) expectations were so high for a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical that now it feels like it needs improving somehow. Hopefully it will be reworked a lot for Broadway and the tour.

[duncan]

Feb 23, 2016 13:05:25 GMT Phantom of London said:

are we going for a Broadway type January meltdown here with mass closures? With Bodyguard and Showboat already announced closing in January!

Change is good.

(unless its just to bring back Blood Brothers and Chicago)

[Jon]

Charlie has had a great run, I'm sure it'll have a great touring life. 

As for what's next for Drury Lane. I think it'll either be The King and I or An American in Paris but I think andy's suggestion of School of Rock wouldn't surprise me either. 

[trapdoor]

Feb 23, 2016 13:05:25 GMT Phantom of London said:

are we going for a Broadway type January meltdown here with mass closures? With Bodyguard and Showboat already announced closing in January!

Not especially, both of those are limited seasons that just happen to close in the new year. 

[Deleted]

Phenomenal run though….