WBOS Presents Charlie And The Chocolate Factory

WBOS (West Bromwich Operatic Society) debuted their newest show at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre last night in some style. This was Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, possibly the most famous and iconic children’s story of them all, and one that has been immortalised in film in the classic 1971 Gene Wilder version. It is no mean feat to bring this to life, but WBOS have  created a wonderful production that is stylishly staged and wonderfully acted. It is just flawless.

The story is very close to the film versions in that Willy Wonka is the strange genius that owns a mythical chocolate factory, Charlie Bucket is the poor little boy obsessed with the factory, and a competition is held to win a golden ticket which will allow the holder to tour said factory, and possibly win a lifetime supply of chocolate. Charlie wins the final ticket and joins fellow winners (and the most obnoxious examples of children ever seen) on the tour, watching on as each greedy, glutinous brat is dispatched by the increasingly manic Mr Wonka’s machinery and inventions.  We also meet Wonka’s strange workforce, the Oompa Loompa’s, hereby solving the riddle of why no worker ever entered, or left the factory. All very weird and wonderful.

WBOS deliver all of this with style and panache. Edward Jones is sensational as Charlie, appearing in almost every scene, he is an absolute talent who is definitely one to watch, delivering a performance way beyond his years. Karl Hugo is a great Willy Wonka, both charismatic and ever so slightly crazy, he delivers all those funny lines with s knowing glance, and his rendition of ‘Pure Imagination’ is just lovely. The other ‘children'(Sam Broomhall Tigne, Charlotte Farmer, Keisha Riley and Charlie Pugh) are all great, with brilliant delivery of their showcase songs. I like the modern updates – Mike Teavee on a Metaquest VR, Violet Beauregard as a social influencer – these help keep the context fresh and work a treat, especially as a warning to younger audience members. Grandpa Jo (Simon Pugh) is great, especially in the funny scene when he rediscovers his legs, whilst Holly White as Mrs Bucket gives the story a sad heart, and an exquisite moment when she reminisces about Charlie’s father.

The staging of creating Wonka’s factory is really well done through a charming set and AI style graphics, but an absolute high point has to be the introduction of the Oompa Loompas. I won’t give away how these most important of characters are portrayed, other than to say someone has taken their cues brilliantly from Shrek and Lord Farquand.  The ‘great glass elevator’ is also brilliantly done, adding to the really impressive feel of the whole production.

WBOS have created a magical piece of theatre. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a triumph.

Find ticket information here

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