Not quite as many books can claim to have been adapted as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (at least not as successfully).
While each of them has taken some liberty with the character, events, and highlights of the story, they’ve all, for the most part, captured the essence of the original. And the musical’s ongoing run since 2017 continues to capture the magic… albeit with some pleasingly horrifying twists.
Off the bat, the most eye-catching aspect of the set is its digital component. While I remain somewhat sceptical and am still not entirely a fan of the inclusion of these heavily digital elements in theatre, their use in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is certainly well done.
From music to acting, this take on Willy Wonka’s whimsical world (alliteration, gotta love it!) stands out on its own despite some obvious visual cues from previous iterations. In some ways, it is easy to be forcibly reminded of The Lord of the Rings musical, where trying to be different from a more popular version can be a trap.
Thankfully, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory avoids this issue by focusing on being its own thing. The front-heavy focus, though, is an interesting choice which doesn’t necessarily work for anyone there purely for the magic of the chocolate factory. There is some merit to that preference, but the charm of Charlie’s home life, as well as the quirks of his extended family.
Returning to the use of the digital backdrop, it’s in this second act where things get a little excessive. While it’s a great tool to set the atmosphere and save a pretty penny on otherwise inconsequential elements, the absence of the modular nature of the first act’s set leaves a void here.
But, more than just backdrop fancies, it’s the simpler incidents–like sparks going off–which feel needlessly transplanted onto a digital interface just ‘cause. In addition to losing the dynamic magic of theatre, it also adds a somewhat vacant experience to the overall performance.
The second half’s musical numbers, now with the added benefit of Willy Wonka’s eccentricity, value-adds significantly, balancing out the latter act. Entirely unsurprisingly, the Oompa-Loompas steal the show from the moment they jig onto stage.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is somehow both nostalgic and surprising (or shocking, maybe), allowing itself to be a fun treat for both adults and children… with a twist of trauma.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is now running at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sand until 14th June. Get your tickets here.