A WORLD of pure imagination is close to hitting the stage at The Wedge.
Maffra Dramatic Society’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is set to perform for two weekends this month.
Based on Roald Dahl’s world-renowned children’s novel, the show follows eccentric chocolate maker Willy Wonka on his quest to find an heir to his chocolate kingdom. Enter Charlie Bucket, a poor boy from a loving family who spends all day thinking up new candy inventions instead of doing his homework, and who prides himself on making his yearly birthday chocolate bar last as long as it can.
When Wonka announces a competition that will allow five lucky golden ticket winners to tour his factory, Charlie gets his lucky break and takes off to experience the wonders that await behind the factory doors. But what awaits him and the other four spoilt, bratty golden ticket winners is far from the tooth-tickling, tongue-tastical adventure they were expecting. They are thrown head-first into Wonka’s wild world of mayhem, madness, and of course, Oompa Loompas.
The cast and crew have been hard at work in rehearsals since March, and director Grant van Brummelen is excited at the level of enthusiasm spreading through the group.
“The last month of rehearsals is where the production really starts reaching performance standard, and it’s really exciting seeing the cast start to hit their strides,” Mr van Brummelen said.
The cast is lead by Ryan Crawford and Edith Lukjanov, playing Willy Wonka and Charlie Bucket, respectively, and supported by a strong group of regulars to local stages including Paul Lee, Clare Hastings and Darren McCubbin.
This production will also mark the first major musical performance for some of the younger cast members, such as Haydn De Sair and Miranda Watts, playing the icnoic roles of Violet Beauregarde and Veruca Salt, respectively.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory opens this Friday, August 18 for seven performances across two weekends only.
Tickets are available now by phoning the box-office on 5143 3200, or via thewedge.com.au
Edith Lukjanov and Ryan Crawford lead the production.
