by Cat Holloway /
Many people adore musical theatre. Some need more convincing. But since everyone loves a rich chewy fudge, the latest Albatross Musical Theatre Company extravaganza, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is an ideal treat to overindulge in or taste-test the gobstopping talent strutting across Shoalhaven's largest stage.
Roald Dahl's famously twisted morality fantasy is unnervingly close-to-the-bone at times. Parents would do well to bring as many children as you can to this school holiday show to prove the perils of junk food, social media, bratty narcissism and gaming addiction. (Kids, relax, you know the real Roald Dahl truth: the adults are always to blame. 😉)
Even if you've not (yet) read the classic Charlie book, you've probably have seen the movies. But musical theatre is the perfect platform for this preposterous plot and its array of ridiculously recognisable characters. (Except the Oompaloompas, they are straight-up weird as the deadpan keepers of the tale's wisdom.)
AMTC continues to out-do itself upping the ante yet again with sets, costuming, special effects and high-energy performances to rival the over-priced seats in professional Sydney theatres. Honestly, the design and detail of the Charlie sets, props and costumes almost steals the show. That this group of volunteer thespians put such spectacle together three times a year is a genuine feat. No wonder AMTC is always up for regional theatre awards.
The entire team backstage and directing team deserve a Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight for what has got to be a rocky road to opening night. In the pit, the 15-piece orchestra is the emotional Gummy Rope that ties it all together.
Willy Wonka, a sociopathic CEO with a strange succession plan, is part mafia Godfather, part Mary Poppins. Josif Jovanovski, delivers his cynical jingles and backhand quips right on target.
The only sanity in the whole saga, Charlie Bucket's humble charm (and touching solo) is the earthy counterpoint to every outrageous scenario. The two young actors sharing that role, Rylee Williams and Ahliya Pavitt, deserve their enthsuiastic applause.
Just to be clear, this is a really silly show. It's also disturbingly violent. And what more could a winter audience want?
Seeing Jacqueline Irvine's high-octane Violet Beauregard get her gory just desserts is darkly satisfying. And crowd-pleasing karma doesn't come gently to Miranda Danswan's Veruca Salt whose cutting perfomance is en pointe. Aarav Luthra's Augustus Gloop is tragically awful and Oli Black's tiny-brained Mike Teavee deserves his matching physique.
We get the biggest giggles from the smallest parts, like Mrs Green. I especially enjoyed William Dewsbury-Love and Kate Almond's sycophantic journalists - and Paul Fraser's slapstick storyteller, Grandpa Joe.
The story makes virtually no sense, but the chaos is carried in hilarious accents and impressive vocals from Olivia Corish's operatic yodeller, Mrs Gloop, Nicholas McGlynn's fluffy Russian oligarch, Mr Salt, Bradley Martin's oily Dance Dad, Mr Beauregarde, and and Liz Halbisch's substance-abusing Mrs Teavee.
Meanwhile, Mrs Bucket's lonely grace (Tenneil Withers) and Charlie's devoted bedridden grandparents are a cliched but timely reminder that the cost-of-living crisis has nothing on a loving family.
Hidden a bit under the colour and cacophony, is a powerful message about making our dreams come true through creativity not consumption. Charlie's inventiveness, rather than his fandom, deserves more spotlighting.
Don't go expecting enlightenment. But do go. It's a sickly-sweet riot. AMTC shows are always worth their weight in golden tickets.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory @ Nowra's Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre
Friday 12 July 2024, 7:30pm
Saturday 13 July 2024, 7:30pm
Sunday 14 July 2024, 2pm
Friday 19 July 2024, 7:30pm
Saturday 20 July 2024, 7:30pm
Sunday 21 July 2024, 2pm
Prices
Adult: $59
Member/Group 10+: $54
Concession/Child (2-18)/Student: $49
