Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

[musicismylifeee]

Posted: 5/22/13 at 5:47pm

Just letting you all know that I just got back from Charlie and the Chocolate factory here in London. It was absolutely incredible and will tell more if you're interested just ask away. I'm not afraid to post spoilers.

[Dr. Jaykll]

Posted: 5/22/13 at 5:50pm

a description of the set design would be great!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/22/13 at 5:56pm

I won't be reading because I don't like spoilers, but even if it didn't have so many things I love already going for it, I'd see it just for Neil from "The Young Ones."

[musicismylifeee]

Posted: 5/22/13 at 5:56pm

There are so many sets! Everything moves seamlessly on and off the stage. (or at least is meant to, it was the first preview but the majority of everything worked smoothly). The typical bed is there for the grandparents. The shack that the family lives in is certainly run down. A giant television comes in and sits at the back of the house when they're introducing all the children. One by one the tv opens up and there's a song for each of the children. Wonka's factory is incredible and looks a lot like the newest film with its own flair.

[jetts7]

Posted: 5/22/13 at 6:11pm

I know this is too early to tell, but could you see it transferring to broadway?

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 5/22/13 at 6:20pm

A user at the West End board said that there will be no songs from the 1971 film. Although the movie has many fans, and I am one of them, Roald Dahl hated it. He apparently had little to no control over it. The Dahl estate have removed themselves entirely from that version, which is why they wanted do a version of the story that Mr. Dahl and everyone close to him wanted to do, the 2005 Tim Burton movie. The user apparently said they interviewed Marc Shaiman and Leslie Bricusse about this.

[jetts7]

Posted: 5/22/13 at 6:21pm

I have just thought of two more questions, how do they do all of the Oompa Loompa's? And how is the music?

[musicismylifeee]

Posted: 5/22/13 at 7:26pm

Hodge's Wonka is a lot different than any other incarnation. It's wonderfully mysterious and wicked and really works in this production. Pure Imagination is in the show and that's the only song I recognized. The oompa loompas were genius. There were two people for each one; one was dressed in all black and stood in the back. They controlled the hands I believe (or the legs, it was hard to tell) and the other person had their head in the costume and controlled whatever the person in black didn't control. They also had unique costumes that had either platform shoes or two loompas together so that one person could wear it and it would look like a tall person or two people together. I definitely think it could transfer. It's early but it'll be in good shape real soon. The songs were really good. catchy funny and just pure fun.

[Nickhutson]

Posted: 5/22/13 at 7:29pm

The show is great.

And - yes - the Dahl estate fell out with Warner brothers when the 1971 movie came out, but through some amazing feat, Warner brothers have put PURE IMAGINATION into the show. Albet, it's at a different time and and has a much deeper meaning, but it's a nice testament.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/22/13 at 9:53pm

Thanks for the early review, musicismylifeee.

And just an FYI, Nickhutson, this stage musical is being jointly produced by Warner Bros. and the Dahl estate, so they could have used any or all songs and the screenplay if they wanted to. They have full rights to both the source material and the 1971 film.

I'm glad they have new songs in the mix, and I'm curious if any other numbers survive from the movie besides "Pure Imagination." ("Candy Man" was a #1 pop hit.)

I'm looking forward to hearing/seeing glimpses of this production.

[Tag]

Posted: 5/22/13 at 9:57pm

Here's a song list.


https://twitter.com/westendboy1/status/337335257923719168 Updated On: 5/22/13 at 09:57 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/22/13 at 10:04pm

Thanks, Tag. Looks like "Pure Imagination" is the only holdover from the film. And they have it positioned late in the second act.

I like the song titles. Can't wait to hear some of 'em!

[emo_geek]

Posted: 5/23/13 at 12:01am

I'm seeing this in a few weeks and I'm so excited!!!

[Kad]

Posted: 5/23/13 at 12:15am

Interesting- looks like the first act is getting all the kids together and the second act is devoted to the factory tour itself.

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 5/23/13 at 1:43am

for the person who asked about a bway transfer, its 100% happening as Hodge is signed for a year in the west end and a year on Broadway, so the plan i believe is right before the cut off next spring on broadway.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/23/13 at 4:46am

I would imagine 2015. (Not sure if that's what you meant).

Love Hodge, love Dahl, love Charlie. (HATED the Tim Burton version.)

[musicismylifeee]

Posted: 5/23/13 at 5:19am

You're right, the first act is purely setting up charlie finding the ticket and introducing all of the kids. Also there's some songs about his family and his grandparents. Then it ends with an introductory Wonka song. The second act is purely the factory tour.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/23/13 at 8:02am

According to their Facebook page, there are four actors rotating in the role of Charlie, like the Matildas.

I guess this is the modern trend ... or the new labor law?

I'll bet all the "Annies" and "Olivers" from year's past are rolling their eyes.

There's only one photo of the Charlie boys together with Marc and Scott and no other pics of the rest of the kids.

[dreaming]

Posted: 5/23/13 at 8:12am

This sounds like it could be a Matilda remix. I'll be interested to see what happens to Matilda next spring when Charlie comes over (if it does).

[jaqs]

Posted: 5/23/13 at 8:22am

There are very strict laws for working children in the UK and so shared roles are essential due to the limited hours they are allowed to work.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/23/13 at 8:32am

Yeah, but I don't recall past West End productions of Oliver or Annie being quadruple cast.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/23/13 at 9:06am

The most recent Oliver a few years back was that way if I'm not mistaken.

ETA: I just looked it up. The 2009 revival in London had 3 Olivers. Updated On: 5/23/13 at 09:06 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/23/13 at 9:13am

Hey, maybe if they work part time, they don't have to be given health insurance!

[jetts7]

Posted: 5/23/13 at 9:15am

I cant't wait until they release photos of the show!

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 5/23/13 at 9:16am

I love the song titles too. Have the released some song samples anywhere?

This show feels like a hit already, ha.