There’s something of the fairytale about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, making it ideal festive family fare. In James Brining’s new production for Leeds Playhouse, the rags-to-riches element is highlighted, opening in a grey, junk-filled world in which Charlie is the one burst of colour. If any child deserves a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s famed chocolate factory, it’s this budding young inventor.
The show is a little slow to get going, but there’s plenty to like along the way. The lineup of other children who snag the golden tickets are deliciously grotesque, placed in stark contrast to the poor but kind Bucket family. There are particularly strong performances from Michael D’Cruze as Grandpa Joe and Leonie Spilsbury who plays two very different mothers: the loving Mrs Bucket and a harried, booze-swigging Mrs Teavee. Gareth Snook steals multiple scenes as Willy Wonka, managing to be enchanting, strange and sinister all at once.
