Big show’s tickets go on sale

Tickets for Waltham Toll Bar Academy's eagerly anticipated production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Grimsby Auditorium have gone on sale.

A cast of 200 will entertain public audiences in two evening shows on Tuesday, 15 July, and Wednesday, 16 July, at 7pm.

Tickets, priced at £10 for an adult and £8 concession, are available from Grimsby Auditorium's box office.

Co-Director of Arts and Head of Drama Gemma Carter said tickets going on sale was a major milestone.

"It makes it all very real for staff and the cast," she said. "We hope this fantastic show will appeal to the wider community, as well as friends and families at the academy.

"We promise a show with fabulous songs, wonderful dance routines and stand-out acting.

"We're building on the fantastic performances and feedback we had from last year's Matilda production to create something very special for our Auditorium shows."

Sell-out audiences gave rave reviews about last year's production, held at Cleethorpes Parkway Cinema and Theatre.

The Matilda cast revisited the performance on the first day back in September, when the academy held its first all-school assembly at the Auditorium on Cromwell Road.

"It was fantastic to put the show on a bigger stage and the children loved performing there," said Mrs Carter.

"The fact we're going to put on Charlie at the Auditorium has made it even more exciting."

As well as the two public shows, there will be free matinee performances for primary school children on both afternoons.

Weekly, after-school rehearsals started in September.

Mrs Carter said: "They are going amazingly well. It's such a big cast compared to last year. We've been doing a range of different scenes to get the overall sense of the musical.

"We're nearly at the interval so we in a good place."

She and Teacher of Drama Ryan Bridges went to the Auditorium last week to talk through the arrangements.

"The bigger stage gives the opportunity to have a very large, impressive set. The lighting and sound will be so much bigger and better.

"We're going from a 300-seat venue to 1,200 so it's a big jump. We hope many will come and support the children."

William Rowe (12) landed the role of Charlie.

"It felt amazing when I learned I'd got it," he said.

"I was Bruce in Matilda but there are a lot more lines to learn in this. I'm a fast learner but I keep going over them again and again.

"I'm really enjoying it and always look forward to rehearsals. I attend Cats Kids drama class in Scartho. I've always enjoyed drama and want to be an actor."

The roles of Veruca Salt and Violet Beauregarde, two children who find a golden ticket, are played by Year 9s Sofia Reeves and Georgia North respectively.

They, like William, were principals in last year's production and have landed the roles they wanted this year.

Sofia (14) said: "I love Veruca. She's sassy and fun. It's a really good part and the aim was to get another big role and get the experience."

The talented dancer attends The Dance Academy in Grimsby and, at the weekend, travels to The Royal Ballet School in Leeds.

"We're just so excited about putting the show on at the Auditorium. It's a big stage."

Georgia (13) is a member of the Ashlie Cait Dance Academy and Blaze Youth Music Theatre locally.

"Violet's my favourite in the show and it was the role I was after," she said. "The Auditorium will allow more people to see the show.

"Appearing in Matilda at the Auditorium on the first day back was amazing. We're really excited to be going back on that stage."

Principal Nigel Whittle was delighted the show could be put on at the Auditorium.

"What an opportunity for our students," he said.

"We had wonderful feedback from the audiences at Matilda and when the children performed it at the Auditorium in September we knew it would be an unbelievable experience to host Charlie there.

"I'm delighted, working with the Auditorium, we've been able to do so.

"I'd like to thank Mrs Carter and rest of the staff team for their huge ambition and hard work.

"I have been absolutely in awe of the talent, commitment and dedication of the whole staff team and the brilliant student cast and I have loved dropping in on the weekly rehearsals.

"I am sure it will be an absolutely wonderful performance."

Tickets for the two public shows can be purchased from www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk or follow this link.

William Rowe as the lead role of Charlie during weekly rehearsals.

Friends Georgia (left) and Sofia, who play two of the lucky golden ticket winners.

A scene from Roald Dahl's classic story is rehearsed.

Willy Wonka is played by Jasper Barnbrook from Year 10, here leading one of the dance routines.

Year 10's Jasper Barnbrook, who plays Willy Wonka, singing The Candy Man, one of the best known songs from the show.