By Tanya Steele
Chum Creek Primary School is bringing a fresh take on an old classic to a sold out audience on Wednesday 10 May.
School drama Captain Reuben is excited to perform the musical theatre show to the community, after many months of rehearsal at the school.
“Everyone has played a part and put in a lot of effort,” he said.
The school kids have pulled together an original script based on the books which puts new characters into the candy land factory we know from the story.
“We’ve added a twist and made it a bit modern,” Reuben said.
New characters like ‘Tony TikTok, Nick Nintendo and Playstation Pete’ will make their debut in this version, along with an interesting role to be played by the school Principal.
Reuben is playing Willy Wonka and said his character will be a little bit sarcastic.
The cast will be performing musical numbers to “Video Killed the radio star” and “Don’t Worry Be Happy” and the cast be Auslan signing to the lyrics.
Reuben has always loved the magic of Willy Wonka and prefers the original book and the more recent movie remake.
Teacher Kate Bilton said she admires how much effort the kids put into the show.
“They wrote the whole script themselves, I’m just impressed,” she said.
Students shared out the chapters to the story to re-write the popular story with their own modern twist.
The production will be performed at the Healesville High School, which will allow the primary school students to experience the magic of performing on a larger stage will full lighting and music.
The kids have put hard work into costumes and set design and decided on the theme as soon as their production from last year wrapped.
“The audience will enjoy the costumes, they’re just crazy,” Reuben said.
