“Calm your jets, Bucket!” snipes Wonka at Charlie Bucket, portrayed by Amelia Minto – that’s right, Leeds Playhouse has taken the decision to gender-flip the role in its production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - The Musical.
The role of the good-natured tyke Charlie has been shared across four child actors, switching between performances. Young Minto had a real composure on the stage, carrying whole songs by herself and reeling off lines of dialogue with a sense of genuine affection and wonder.
Minto has proven that a young girl can embody the role just as well as any young boy. As the play progresses, you can’t help but emphasise with kind-hearted Charlie – who aims to make her birthday bar of chocolate last for one whole year until she receives her next treat.
