Holly Dobbing, Year 4 Medicine
LAMMPS’ Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a delightful blend of magic, imagination, and heart. With its vibrant set design, energetic performances, and playful musical numbers, the show captured the magic of Roald Dahl’s beloved story while emphasising themes of kindness, greed, and the power of dreams. The cast brought each quirky character to life with enthusiasm, making for an entertaining and visually engaging performance that stayed true to the spirit of the original tale.
LAMMPS are a University of Leeds society aimed to make musical theatre, dance, and singing, accessible for students on busy healthcare degrees that would struggle to make the time commitments required by other university musical theatre groups. They host lots of dance and choir events, culminating in a yearly 3-day performance of a big musical show. And let me tell you, LAMMPS pull it out of the bag every. Single. Time. I’m talking lights, music, singing, dancing, costumes, set… And this year’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was no exception.
The show opened with a captivating performance from Willy Wonka, played by Rhys Llewelyn Williams, who stepped through the curtain and immediately commanded the stage with a powerful voice. His charisma and energy made him a perfect Wonka, effortlessly embodying the character’s mystery and charm. Soon after, we were introduced to Charlie Bucket, portrayed by Grace Husarz, whose brilliant high notes and heartfelt performance beautifully captured Charlie’s quiet selflessness, making her a standout in the role. Charlie’s grandparents were also a highlight of the first act, bringing humour and warmth to the stage. They fully embodied their roles as 90-year-olds, complete with crochet, intermittent snoring, and constantly hunched shoulders. Their little corner of the set looked so cosy, I was jealous I was in the audience instead of squeezed in between them… Grandpa Joe, played by Louis Mockler, was an audience favourite. With perfect comedic timing and a heartwarming bond with Charlie, he captured the spirit of adventure that makes Grandpa Joe such a beloved character. We also saw some sincere and heartfelt moments from Mrs Bucket (Jennie Bodger), who captured her character’s hope despite her struggles with strong and emotive vocals.
For me, I absolutely loved Jerry Jubilee (Tom Ronayne) and Cherry Sundae (Ciara Devlin) who stole the show, bringing energy and laughs whilst introducing the iconic golden ticket winners. I will now be saying ‘CHOCOLATE NEWS!’ for the next six months. Each of the five ticket winners had a song and dance introduction – my personal favourite was Augustus Gloop, played by Cameron Mullin, and his mum, played by Hannah Byrne. Cameron completely embodied the role with enthusiasm and comedic flare – from the sausage necklace around his neck, to licking the set throughout the show. Nathalie Hall made a perfect Veruca Salt, nailing the character’s spoiled demands, bratty energy, and dramatic tantrums, to which Mr Salt, portrayed by Elliot King, aptly cowered and submitted to every time. Violet Beauregarde (Ella Smith) and her dad (Ehi Itua) were also standout performances, bringing sass and swagger to the stage with bold energy. Finally, we met Mike Teavee (Ash Mallen) and Mrs Teavee (Isla Plant) who brought a lively dynamic and powerful vocals, rounding out our five golden ticket winners.
I must admit, I found the pacing of the whole show a bit uneven. It seemed we spent a lot of time introducing the characters, but then it felt like a rapid progression to their downfalls (…deaths?) without us fully getting to know them in between. I felt like this lost some of the humour and tragedy of their fates as the audience didn’t have enough time to fully appreciate their characters before they met their consequences (…deaths?). Despite this, the energy and talent of the cast kept the audience engaged, but a more balanced flow would have made the show even stronger.
And how can I not mention the fabulous Oompa Loompas! The ensemble were a fun and energetic highlight of the show, adding a playful, whimsical touch to the production. Their synchronised dance numbers and catchy songs brought a burst of colour and energy to the stage every time they appeared. The choreography was sharp, and their performances were full of charm.
The cast’s dedication and hard work were evident throughout the performance, but it’s important to acknowledge the creative team behind the scenes. Direction by Ruth Rusnak and assisted by Chloe Labutte, played a pivotal role in shaping the show and bringing out the best in the cast, allowing the vibrant personalities of each character to shine through. The production was also elevated by the incredible live band, conducted by Millie Falconer, and Brad Freeman’s brilliant lighting design created an atmosphere that transformed each scene. The amazing costumes by Kate Gerrard, Mirra Kirthivasan, and Emily Crighton were a visual delight, bringing the characters to life in a fun and creative way, making the whimsical world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory feel truly real.
There are two more performances today, go get tickets at https://www.universe.com/users/luu-lammps-2J54DF for your last chance to see the show!
THE WORSLEY TIMES 