Pupils taste success with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Published on isbi School News dated Tuesday 26th of February 2013

You needed a golden ticket to get in to see Caterham School's own spin on Roald Dahl's classic story of little Charlie Bucket's adventure in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.

With a 'Python' esque humour, a warm heart and many an Oompa Loompa the audience were treated to a hilarious tour which took in the chocolate river, the inventing room and, of course, the great glass elevator.

Charlie Bucket was played with sparky enthusiasm by Benjamin Prego and Willy Wonka was manically and thrillingly performed by Tom Gardner. The two leads were ably supported by the actors playing Grandpa Joe (Will Huke) and Charlies's obnoxious fellow golden ticket winners Augustus Gloop (Oscar Charlesworth), Violet Beauregarde (Alice Medlock), Veruca Salt (Charlotte Roberts) and Mike Teavee (Cameron Swayne).

As usual, pupils were also involved in the lighting, sound, stage management, prop making and make-up.

Head of Drama, Miss Lisa McMullin said: 'Our productions always involve a huge team effort. We had over seventy students and numerous staff joining forces to take the audience into the 'world of pure imagination'. Even the interval held great excitement as 'Wonka' bars were on sale with prize winning golden tickets hidden inside five of them. Students from the School's charity team took charge of refreshments ensuring that not only did the audience have a great time they also went home knowing that they had also contributed to a worthy cause. Everyone was a winner!'