Review of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Island Savoyards

The Shanklin Theatre auditorium was packed, the gates of Wonka's iconic factory were there on the stage in front of us and the fantastic orchestra started playing - this was going to be a sweet treat of epic proportions.

The two leading actors proved solid performers throughout.

Daniel Farmer as Willy Wonka was at times understated and at times full of quirkiness which added to the delightful unpredictability of the famous chocolate factory owner.

Noah Walker-Green was an enchanting Charlie on opening night, and is sharing the role with Oliver Back across the run. It's no mean feat to take on such a big role at a young age so a big congratulations goes to both.

Daniel Farmer as Willy Wonka and Noah Walker-Green as Charlie in the Great Glass Elevator (Image: Rodger Hooper) (Image: Rodger Hooper) The scenes with the grandparents in the bed were cleverly done with lots of humorous touches, and Paul Stevens was a great Grandpa Joe - going from bedridden to sprightly once the golden ticket was won.

I loved the scenes showing the golden tickets being found across the world, with clever use of TV presenters setting the scene then some brilliant opportunities to display the characters of all the awful kids who were the lucky winners - and their pushy parents. 

It meant loads of actors got to shine - and shine they very much did!

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Finley Revert was really funny as Augustus Gloop and showed great comic timing, while Kieran Adams was spot-on as the miserable and distracted teen Mike Teavee.

Ava Cowan shone as a precocious and demanding Veruca Salt and it was a brilliant touch to have her 'en pointe' as a ballet dancer.

Ellie Walker was a thoroughly modern Miss America as Violet Beaureguarde. Her greed got the better of her and the scene of her literally blowing up was hilarious and very clever.  

Finley Revert as Augustus Gloop and Libby Pike as Mrs Gloop (Image: Rodger Hooper)

There were no weak performances within the cast - all the actors deserved their place on stage.

It was a brilliant show, with very high production values meaning the costumes, set, and special effects were top notch - the magical Great Glass Elevator just a breath-taking feat of trickery.

The appearance of the Oompa Loompas was a brilliant twist which the audience loved - no spoilers but very funny indeed.  

Congratulations to all, especially Sarah Scotcher (director), Andrew Woodford (musical director) and Izzi Rudd (choreographer) for pulling such a great show together.