Poulner Players 
The Ringwood Waldorf School, Ringwood 
Chelsea Sherry 
20 February 2025
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory began as Roald Dahl’s beloved 1964 novel before being adapted into multiple stage and screen versions. The musical premiered in the West End in 2013, bringing Wonka’s whimsical world to life through song. The story follows young Charlie Bucket, a kind-hearted boy from a poor family who wins a golden ticket to tour Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory. Alongside four other children—each with their own exaggerated flaws—he embarks on a journey through a world of pure imagination.
For this production, Poulner Players adapted the show for their own staging needs at the Ringwood Waldorf School. With a mix of well-loved moments and unique staging choices, the show brought the magic of Wonka’s factory to a local audience.
One of the standout aspects of this production was its clever use of props, staging, and lighting to tackle some of the show’s more technically challenging moments. Bringing the magic to life – particularly on a smaller budget – requires serious creativity, and Poulner Players rose to the challenge. Moments like Augustus Gloop being whisked up the pipe and the iconic glass elevator could have been difficult to replicate, yet the team found inventive ways to make these moments work, keeping the audience immersed in Wonka’s world. This level of ingenuity is something Poulner Players have become known for, consistently surprising audiences with fresh and unexpected staging choices.
However, while the creativity was impressive, some of it was unfortunately not visible to all members of the audience. Certain sections of the performance were staged in the corners, meaning some audience members missed key moments. Additionally, there were times when choreography or positioning unintentionally blocked important action. A small note for the backstage team as well – while their enthusiasm was fantastic, those seated at the sides could see them at times.
It was great to see both a junior and adult ensemble throughout the show, with all members embracing their roles with enthusiasm. Having a mix of age groups on stage added depth to the production and allowed for a strong ensemble presence. While I was initially unsure about the decision to have a mix of adults and young adults playing the principal children’s roles, this choice worked well, with each actor fully committing to their character’s over-the-top personality.
Danielle Morris was particularly hilarious as Augustus Gloop, delivering 100% Augustus energy at all times. Grace Iakimov gave a delightfully bratty performance as Veruca Salt, fully embracing the character’s spoiled and demanding nature. Charlotte Wilcox embodied the gum-chewing, self-absorbed pop princess Violet Beauregarde with confidence, while Tom Buxton was thoroughly unpleasant (in the best way) as the TV-obsessed Mike Teavee. The children were accompanied by their parents, all of whom played their roles excellently, each bringing a unique twist to their character. Their interactions added an extra layer of comedy and personality to the show.
Three core characters drive the heart of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory: Willy Wonka, Charlie Bucket, and Grandpa Joe. Each of these roles brings its own challenges, requiring a mix of charm, humour, and a touch of the extraordinary.
Richard McPherson delivered a strong performance as Willy Wonka, with great moments of physical comedy. When he fully embraced the more bizarre and eccentric aspects of Wonka’s personality, he truly shined. With a character as unpredictable as Wonka, the more unique the interpretation, the better – and McPherson’s best moments came when he leaned into that quirkiness.
Lucas Buttigieg made a lovely Charlie Bucket, capturing the essence of the kind-hearted, downtrodden boy who remains hopeful despite his circumstances. His performance felt genuine, meeting all the expectations of this iconic role.
Grandpa Joe was full of enthusiasm and humour, adding a real spark to the Bucket family scenes. He had some killer lines, and his delivery ensured they landed well, bringing plenty of laughs.
A special mention also goes to Courtney Buttigieg, who gave a touching rendition of ‘If Your Father Were Here’. Her performance was heartfelt and beautifully delivered, adding a poignant moment to the show.
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory is a great show for kids, packed with fun, quirky characters and plenty of magical moments. If you’re interested in catching it, there are still a couple more days left – the run continues until Saturday 22 February 2025.
