Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Presented by Showbiz Christchurch Isaac Theatre Royal April 23 – May 9 Reviewed by William Fergusson for Chris Lynch Media

Usually when I go to shows with my mum, she’s either in them or writing a very serious review about them. So this time I decided to be a very kind son and take her out so she could just sit there and relax… and I would do the important reviewing job.  You’re welcome, Mama.

Hi everyone, I’m William Fergusson and I’m 8 years old.

We went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and it was AMAZING.  I loved all the characters. Charlie was really nice (like, actually nice, not fake nice), and Willy Wonka was super weird but also really funny – like the kind of grown-up you’re not totally sure you should trust, but you do anyway because he has chocolate.  All of the actors were excellent, but my absolute favourite was Charlie because he’s kind of close to my age and I think it must have been really hard to learn all those lines and be so natural and amazing at playing that part.  I also

And then there were the kids… WOW. They were SO naughty.  Honestly, if I acted like that, I wouldn’t just be grounded – I’d probably never see daytime again and be kicked out of my family.  Just kidding.  But also, they made the show way more fun.  It was actually really exciting watching what happened to them, because you kind of knew they had it coming.

My favourite part of the show was when Mike Teavee had such a bad attitude he got shrunk and his mum told him to “get back in the handbag,”  I thought that was the funniest thing ever.  Imagine being so annoying you end up living in a handbag.  That’s what happens, kids.

And the Oompa Loompas?  Absolute chaos!  They were probably the funniest part of the whole show and just completely out of control (but also very organised, somehow?!?!).

I think the show is so good because it actually teaches you something important:  don’t be a bad nut.  It’s just not worth it.  Also, there are MUCH easier way to get your hands on delicious chocolate than turning into a blueberry or disappearing into a TV.

Parents should definitely take their kids to this show.  My mum loved it too, so it’s not just for kids — and it’s not just for boring grown-ups either.

Kids: tell your parents that if they love you, they have to take you.  And if they say no… that’s a bit suspicious, to be honest.