When Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was first brought to the screen in 1971, it opened a new world of imagination. The much-loved book, published in 1964, is full of mischief, much like its central figure, Willy Wonka, a nutty inventor with a wild imagination and a terribly sweet tooth. That film brought music to Wonka’s world as he met young Charlie Bucket, a child with a gentle soul and enough heart to help Wonka see the world in a new light. In 2013, the story was adapted for the stage and the show comes to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre this December. The West End legend Gareth Snook plays the infamous candy man, Willy Wonka. We caught up with him earlier this year at the Bloom Garden Festival, where a Wonka–themed garden displayed the story’s imagination.
What is it like to have a garden designed to honour your character?
Well, it’s the first for me. I’ve never known anything like it. I’m taken aback by it. What an inspiring thing to do. It’s beautiful. There are edible flowers in it and a river of chocolate and blueberry. It’s just amazing.
How did you feel when you got the part?
Goodness me, I mean, he is Willy Wonka. It is the most amazing role. He has many aspects to his character and is often misunderstood. People think he’s putting all these kids in dangerous situations, but he’s not. They are put into these situations through bad parenting, by people spoiling them. There are many layers to Willy, which audiences will come to see.
Did you find those layers in the rehearsal process?
Yes, I did, and it also became apparent that the story has a morality to it. Most stories do, whether they’re plays, musicals, or novels. The morality in this is to listen. When someone tells you don’t touch that, don’t do this, you would be wise enough to listen. If not, look at what happens. Bad things happen to the children, and Wonka slightly relishes in their misfortune; he doesn’t put them into those situations. Their parents encouraged them by not teaching them to listen. Their parents put them in danger. Wonka does warn them.
Do you have a favourite song in the show?
Oh, they are all great. We have two classic songs from the original film, which, of course, everyone, including myself, loves, and then all the rest were written for the show. There are all different styles. We have traditional theatre ballads and pop songs, but I have two favourites. I have this wonderful number at the top of Act Two, where each family is introduced. It’s quick, fast and it’s fabulous. The lyrics are about how there are rugs and carpets you can eat and, best of all, the wallpaper needs licking. It is wonderful; everything in the factory is made of edible things, and the song really adds to the quirkiness. Wonka meets the parents for the first time; he doesn’t take very kindly to them; he is far more interested in the children, and this song really shows that.
My favourite is when Willy takes Charlie into the glass elevator. I can’t say much about it, or it will give too much away, but they sing this lovely duet. Willy is a great showman; that is how he produces all these fantastical sweets and chocolates. His weird imagination comes partly from being a showman, and that is how we usually see him, but during this particular song, we see that Willy is also a man of compassion.
Four young actors play Charlie in rotation. Do you feel like a mentor to them?
Those kids are 11- and 12-year-olds. We always have four Charlie’s because of the labour laws, but believe me, they don’t need any help. These guys are fantastic. And they all bring different things. We have two girls and two boys, and they think they don’t need any motivation. They are fearless and wonderful.
Does having rotating actors bring a different dynamic to your performance?
There is a different dynamic, for sure. I don’t have any favourites; they all bring something completely different to Charlie. It keeps me on my toes.
Did you always want to go into musical theatre?
No, because I didn’t study singing. I studied to be an actor. I started singing by default. I would be working with a director on something, and they might mention they were doing a musical as their next production and ask me if I could sing. I said I was alright, but then it snowballed. Suddenly, I started doing big musicals in the West End. The world of theatre is very small, particularly back then. It didn’t take long for me to gain a reputation, and people started paying me to do musicals. It was wonderful.
What keeps you motivated to do the same show night after night for months?
As soon as I step out there, and it’s all about Willy, I’m like the engine to the second half. I have to keep up, put my foot on the accelerator, and motor with it. As soon as I step on stage, it just clicks that I have to be out there for the rest of the cast and because of the audience. There might be 2000 people staring at me, waiting for me to perform. That’s enough motivation. Once I start, there’s no stopping. It’s like a rollercoaster ride; it’s fantastic.
Do you enjoy being on tour?
I do. It’s not without its challenges. It’s a long tour, but I do enjoy it. I wish that I had more energy and time to explore the cities we perform in, but we have to remember that we’re not tourists; we are here for work. It’s wonderful to experience a different city with your job. I can’t wait to come to Dublin. I’m excited already from the little bit I have seen coming to Bloom. I don’t know the city, so I can’t wait to learn more and bring Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Dublin.
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory — The Musical is at Bord Gais Energy Theatre from Dec 5 to Jan 7, 2024
For tickets visit bordgaisenergytheatre.ie