Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Musical
Growing up, I loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I loved the book. I loved both films (although I have more love for the original). And so when the stage show began I was a little apprehensive. It hadn’t been long since I’d seen Matilda, which was so incredible I didn’t want to risk seeing a Roald Dahl show which just didn’t quite live up to expectations… However, my parents and sister went to see it, and I got a bit jealous hearing them going on about how much they’d loved it. So I booked my seat. Let me start with what I enjoyed. The show is incredibly true to the book. The visual effects are fantastic. The set is stunning. The characters were larger than life, just as in Dahl’s stories, and the five children in particular carried this off very well. I had a soft spot for Verruca Salt, because she’s always been my favourite, horrible child. The story is the one we know and love, with no attempt to embellish or alter. This I was happy with, as I’d have be...