CTORA Theatre brings the whimsy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to the stage

Director Mark Carter loves the story’s over-the-top characters

By Gail Johnson

Sanders Whiting (left) and Quinlan McDonald. Photo by Canna Zhou

CTORA Theatre presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from October 11 to 27 at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre

VANCOUVER DIRECTOR MARK Carter remembers reading Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when he was about 10 or 11 years old. He vividly recalls the adventures of the titular character and the colourful individuals surrounding him.

Now, Carter is directing CTORA Theatre’s new production of the show at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre from October 11 to 27. The work has reminded him of how much he enjoyed the book.

“I loved the story,” Carter says in a phone interview with Stir. “It made an impression on me. It’s got a bit of everything: it’s whimsical, there’s a little bit of magic, and it’s got some really over-the-top characters. There’s something for everyone. Willy Wonka is eccentric and you don’t quite know what he’s going to do next. It’s such a great story and it’s a lot of fun.”

To refresh the memories of people who, like Carter, may have read the book decades ago, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory revolves around Charlie Bucket, who comes from a poor family and lives with his parents and grandparents. One day, the owner of the town’s chocolate factory, Willy Wonka, announces that he has hidden golden tickets in five Wonka chocolate bars, with the prizes being a tour of the place and a lifetime supply of Wonka products.

Charlie scores one of the tickets, alongside gluttonous Augustus Gloop, gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde, spoiled Veruca Salt, and rambunctious Mike Teavee. Inside, the workers turn out to be cacao-loving Oompa-Loompas, who break out into songs that comment on the four bad kids’ poor manners; Charlie is deemed the only respectful one of the bunch, so Wonka decides to give him the factory.

The book was turned into a musical film with Gene Wilder in 1971 then into another movie in 2005 with Johnny Depp playing the role of Wonka.

Choreographed by Ken Overbey, the CTORA show has a cast of 21 and comes complete with classic songs like “Pure Imagination” and “The Candy Man”. Enhancing the experience is a live eight-piece orchestra featuring some of Vancouver’s top musicians, led by musical director Jeremy Hoffman on keyboard and assistant musical director Monica Sumulong Dumas on bass guitar. The ensemble also includes guitarist Christian Richardson, drummer Tyler Murray, violinist Kevin McDonnell, trumpeter Justin Kury, keyboardist Livia Cohen, and reed musician Jennifer Innanen.

“It’s for families but maybe not for really young ones as it does get a little dark and spooky,” Carter says. “But then it becomes more fun again so it’s very family-friendly. For older people who are familiar with the movies, they’ll get a nostalgic kick out of it, and for anyone experiencing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for the first time, it will really be an adventure.. We have some backdrop illustrations that take inspiration from the original illustrations in the book. With the set, music, and costumes, it’s a real feast for the eyes and ears.”  

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