Joburg Ballet’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Pulls the Audience to Their Feet
The opening performance of Joburg Ballet’s World Premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl was nothing short of spectacular. Choreographer, Mario Gaglione captured the audience’s imaginations with a wonderful cast of dancers who succeeded in truly making the story their own. In addition, the stage design was something out of this world and the variety of carefully thought through costumes brought everything together beautifully.
A Spectacular Showcase of South Africa’s Ballet Talent
Opening the series of performances (the show is running until 13 October 2024), Principals Revil Yon (as Willy Wonka) and Monike Cristina (as Chocolate) floated across the stage with impressive technique. Not to mention the young Jayden Samuels, who so elegantly filled the role of Charlie Bucket. In fact, Samuels’ incredible facial expressions and his effortless jumps had the audience in awe. Gabriel Fernandes and Tayla De Bie wooed the audience with their energetic duet as Mr. and Mrs. Bucket too. At the same time, Albertus Dreyer (dancing as Grandpa Joe) warranted many a laugh throughout the performance, as did the Gloops (performed by Ivan Domiciano and Fiona Budd) and many more.
In his royal purple suit and his golden top hat, Revil Yon’s portrayal of Willy Wonka had young and old at the edge of their seats. It was a ballet filled with fun and laughter as Willy Wonka took the audience through the woods, introduced them to the Oompa Loompas, reopened his chocolate factory and gave everyone a taste of his masterfully made chocolate. In fact, the audience themselves even got a sponsored block of chocolate on their seats! Furthermore, Samuels’ performance and the relevance it brought about brought viewers to a standstill. He truly captured the audience with the reminder of compassion. At the same time, Monike Cristina’s stage presence had individuals leaping out of their seats for a standing ovation at the end of the performance.
Setting The Tone with Original Music
The music – performed by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra – played an integral part in taking the audience on a journey with the dancers. Composed by Mark Cheyne, the notes – entirely original and orchestrated in the style of a traditional ballet – guided the audience from one scene to the next. “Fantasy is an integral part of traditional ballet, and this a fantastical story, with larger-than-life characters and a plot full of marvels, mystery, magic and, of course, copious amounts of chocolate,” Cheyne says. “I have aspired to capture all these elements in the music…” he says.
While the individual characters’ performances were most certainly larger than life, the show’s design and stage layout was even larger. Everything about Joburg Ballet’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was done with intention – no doubt. From the luring lights and the over-the-top costumes to every triple pirouette, elongated chasse and exceptionally high leap. In addition, the stage design was beautifully done – from the humble home of the Bucket family and the stunning town square to the spectacular chocolate factory and the golden room where flakes and pralines put on a show for the young Charlie.
A Golden Finale
Finally, Willy Wonka and Chocolate ended off the performance in a golden duet, imprinting magic, happiness and imagination on the faces of everyone watching. And then, Charlie accepts the key to the chocolate factory – a humble, yet significant ending to an outstanding performance. Ultimately, what started out as a story in a book, has now come full circle with a ballet performance for the books. The golden finale brought the audience to their feet for what seemed like a five-minute-long standing ovation.
All in all, we can highly recommend the show to both young and old. It’s bold; it’s brilliant; it’s submerged in the magical world of imagination. And, it’s filled with chocolate! What more could one want?
Tickets are available through webtickets.co.za.
