This year's eagerly awaited Alway production was an adaptation of Roald Dahl's well-kown children's story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Finding room on stage for all 71 Alway pupils was a challenge in itself, but Ms Frazer and her team managed to achieve this with careful planning and skillful stage management. Indeed, giving all our junior pupils the opportunity to perform on stage together is one of the great strengths of the tradition of Alway productions; shared experiences create shared memories, and recollections of the Chocolate Factory with undoubtedly live on amongst this year group throughout their school career and beyond.
Roald Dahl drew his inspiration for the story from the intense rivalry which existed between England's two largest chocolate makers in the 1920s – Cadbury and Rowntree's. Earlier this term, purely in the interests of research of course, the Alway pupils readily took up the offer of a visit to the modern-day chocolate factory of Cadbury World on a school excursion, adding authenticity to their performance!
The play opened with introductions to the four winners of the Golden Tickets giving entry to Willy Wonka's wonderful world of chocolate for a day. However, the characterisation of Dominic Hayes (the gluttonous Augustus Gloop), Cara McNaughton (gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde), Francesca Murray-Shelley (spoiled Veruca Salt) and Rhys Phillips (television-obsessed Mike Teavee) was such that little introduction was necessary. The audience lived through the moment when Charlie Bucket (Jamie Morris), an intelligent boy from a poor family, won the final Golden Ticket, and his surprise and delight were tangible.
Georgie Ashby gave a strong performance in the role of Willy Wonka. She captured the idiosyncrasy and eccentricities of the role perfectly. As she led the golden ticket winners and their families around the factory, we joined the group on a wonderful journey, marvelling at the sights, sounds, and special effects on offer along the way. Indeed, much credit must go to Annabella Hefford (set painting and design), to Mandy Williams (costume and props) and to David Grant and his team (technical crew) for bringing together such an interesting, colourful and vibrant set on which the actors could perform. As each of the golden ticket winners (bar Charlie) fell victim to his particular vice, they almost met a sticky end, but were rescued, more or less intact, by the Oompa-Loompas. The Oompa-Loopma raps were rythmic, well-rehearsed and carefully choreographed and added humour to the performance.
Many congratulations must go to Ms Frazer, Mr West and all the backstage team for a very professional and highly entertaining performance and to Alway's budding actors for their energy and vibrancy.
