Charlie & The Chocolate Factory as presented by Ballywillan Drama Group

Society name: Ballywillan Drama Group

Show name:  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Adjudicator date of attendance: 25/01/2025

Brief overview of show and evaluation of Front of House

Ballywillan Drama Group presented a warm and welcoming production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. While the script itself presents inherent challenges, the cast and crew worked hard to bring the story to life with enthusiasm and creativity.

From the moment we arrived, the front-of-house team provided an inviting and engaging experience. The chocolate bars were a charming touch, adding to the excitement of the production. The foyer displays were beautifully curated, with a selection of high-quality production photographs on screen, setting the tone for a well-organized and visually appealing event. The venue itself is an excellent space for theatre, with clear sightlines ensuring an enjoyable viewing experience from any seat in the house.

Director - Direction and Production

Director Brian Logan demonstrated a strong understanding of stagecraft, ensuring a steady and engaging pace throughout the production. The transitions between scenes were smooth, and the use of additional entrances added an extra dynamic element to the staging.

There was a clear effort in character development, with some standout performances from the principal cast. However, there were moments where deeper exploration of characters could have been beneficial. Willy Wonka, in particular, needed a more defined balance between charm and eccentricity to fully capture the essence of the character. Additionally, finer details such as Mrs. Bucket’s busy work and the body double for Violet could have been executed more seamlessly to enhance believability. Overall, the direction was cohesive, demonstrating a thoughtful approach to storytelling, and the use of accents and character voicing was well handled. Attention to some finer details would elevate future productions to an even higher standard.

Musical Director- Direction and Orchestra

Under the skilled leadership of Musical Director Andrew Robinson, the band delivered a tight and well-balanced performance. Conducting from the subterranean pit was managed effectively, allowing for strong communication with the cast via TV screens. The harmonies from the chorus were well-rehearsed, contributing to a full and vibrant sound. The orchestration complemented the vocal performances without overpowering them, and the overall balance of music and dialogue was well considered. This strong foundation in musical direction provided great support for the vocalists and contributed to the overall cohesion of the production.

Choreographer- Choreography

Choreographers Sharon Logan and Laura Fisher brought some very clever ideas to the production, with several moments of ingenuity in movement and staging. The opening number had a well-conceived concept, and Queen of Pop was a standout in terms of energy and precision.That said, while the choreography was creative, there were areas that could have benefited from more refinement and cleaner execution. Some numbers required additional polishing to achieve uniformity, particularly within the ensemble. With sharper movement and greater attention to synchronization, the choreography could truly shine.

Leading Principals – Singing and Acting

Willy Wonka – Alan McClarty Alan is clearly a confident and comfortable performer on stage, but his portrayal of Wonka felt somewhat understated. While there were moments of charm, the character lacked the unpredictable eccentricity that defines the role. His vocal ability was pleasant, but it felt as though we didn’t hear the full extent of his range. With more direction in terms of character development and exploration of Wonka’s depth, this performance could have been much more dynamic and engaging.

Charlie Bucket – Emma Shirlow Emma was a delight to watch. She radiated energy and enthusiasm, effortlessly commanding the stage and drawing the audience into Charlie’s world. Her vocal ability showed great promise, and she demonstrated excellent characterisation. She interacted beautifully with her fellow performers, bringing a natural warmth to her role. A truly standout performance!

Grandpa Joe – Paul Sleet Paul delivered an endearing portrayal of Grandpa Joe, embodying the character’s gentle and fatherly nature. His interactions with Charlie were heartfelt and engaging. There was potential to push further into the mischievous side of Grandpa Joe’s personality, which would have added an extra dimension to his performance. Vocally, he was steady, though a little more projection would have enhanced his numbers.

Violet Beauregarde – Chloe Freeman-Wallace Chloe brought great energy to the role, fully embracing Violet’s self-absorbed and vain personality. Her solo number was a highlight, showcasing both vocal ability and strong characterisation. A confident and committed performance.

Augustus Gloop – Patrick Connor Patrick delivered a thoroughly entertaining performance, capturing the humor and playfulness of Augustus. His facial expressions were excellent, and he remained in character throughout. His comic timing was strong, making his portrayal one of the more memorable ones.

Veruca Salt – Sarah McIlhagga Sarah was the epitome of a spoiled, petulant child. She carried herself with the arrogance and entitlement needed for Veruca, and her attempt at ballet was a well-executed comedic touch. Her accent and facial expressions added depth to her character, making for a well-rounded performance.

Mike Teevee – Steven Millar Steven delivered a high-energy portrayal of Mike Teevee. However, at times, the performance felt a little too manic, making it difficult to understand his dialogue. A more controlled approach would have allowed the character’s essence to come through more clearly.

Supporting Roles – Singing and Acting

Mrs. Gloop - Charisse McDowell. A fantastic sidekick to Augustus, with a super accent that remained consistent throughout. Clearly a doting mother that has gone too far. 

Mr. Salt - Steve Setterfield. Played the doting father well, with a strong, unfaltering accent. Very believable as the scary oligarch that is beholden to the whims of his daughter.

Mr. Beauregarde - Adam Goudy. Perfectly irritating as a flashy social media dad, a performance that was enjoyable in its deliberate unlikability. He captured the wheeler-dealer geezer very well

Mrs. Teevee - Laura Fisher Laura needed more guidance in this role. The comic timing was missed making the role more uncomfortable. Her dialogue was difficult to understand at times. I feel she would do better in a different sort of role.

Mrs. Bucket - Clare Campbell. A motherly performance. Stern but never strict. Occasionally felt unsure of how to use her hands on stage, and the ‘busy work’ needed more fluidity to feel natural.

Chorus/Ensemble- Singing, Acting and Choreography

The ensemble brought good energy to the production, though there was some inconsistency in movement ability. With more precise execution and refined choreography, they could have presented a more cohesive unit. Vocally, they delivered well, though some moments lacked focus, particularly in the Oompa Loompa numbers.

Stage Management & Set Design

The production was generally well managed, with scene transitions handled efficiently. Tidying up elements such as the curtains hiding set pieces in the wings would have contributed to a more polished aesthetic.

The set design was visually appealing, with well-executed printed flats and an effective use of a video wall, which maintained a cohesive color palette. The Bucket House was convincingly dilapidated. Some factory pieces, while conceptually strong, didn’t have the same polished finish, which made them stand out in contrast to the rest of the set.

Technical- Light and Sound

Lighting design had some beautifully executed moments, though there were a few issues with cue timing, particularly during the Invisible Corridor scene. Better synchronization between lighting and sound cues would have improved the overall effect.

Sound was mostly well-balanced, and the mix from the underground pit was well handled. Some dialogue was difficult to hear at times, but it is unclear if this was a sound issue, or a projection issue.

Visual- Costumes, Hair and Make Up

Costumes were well chosen, with principals and chorus looking cohesive. The touches of red in The Factory Gates scene were particularly effective. The Oompa Loompa costumes were an interesting concept but could have been refined further.

Makeup was generally well applied, but the Oompa Loompa wigs needed more attention. Several were untidy, with visible performer hair. Tidying these details would greatly enhance the overall visual impact.

Adjudicators suggestions/ comments- overall comments on the production and comments to enhance the standard for future performances.

This was an enjoyable and ambitious production with many strong elements that showcased the dedication and enthusiasm of Ballywillan Drama Group. The passion from both cast and crew was evident, and there was a great energy that carried throughout the show. One of the great strengths of this production was its ability to create an engaging theatrical experience that delighted the audience. With continued refinement in choreography, sharper execution in technical aspects, and deeper character development, future performances have the potential to be even more captivating and memorable. I would suggest dance workshops throughout the year.

Attention to small technical details, including lighting cue timing and sound balance, would further elevate the professional quality of the performance. Additionally, refining the nuances of character portrayal, particularly with complex roles such as Willy Wonka, would add even greater depth and intrigue to the storytelling.

In conclusion, Ballywillan Drama Group should be very proud of this production. Their hard work and commitment to excellence were evident, and with continued focus on detail and performance cohesion, their future productions will no doubt continue to impress and entertain.