Review by Carly Fisher
Some shows you see, you quickly need to check yourself and make sure that you’re not trying to take life too seriously in that moment. That would certainly be my advice for anyone going to see Willy’s Candy Spectacular…don’t take it too seriously and you’ll enjoy the ride a lot more!
The bones of this wacky fringe show, taking residence at Pleasance Dome this August, are solid - the songs are well written and often catchy, and the cast has the musical chops to deliver it.
There is a point though in show biz where you do have to take things seriously and that is the business of it. Unfortunately, this a bit of a case of ‘if you slap lipstick on a pig, you’re still left with a pig.’ The producers have gone all the way with their investment in the making of this show - the American and Canadian cast members have been flown out and many have solid resumes, nothing has been spared in getting a range of successful musical comedians and Emmy winning songwriters to develop the music. But unfortunately, the book just flops and it can’t be hidden.
The storyline is missing evolution - it is missing that ‘wow’ moment that takes it from being a direct replica of the news story, to instead being stage ready. At the risk of sounding corny, it is missing its Broadway Blockbuster happy ending that would see the stage filled with all the colours and magic one expects when seeing a Wonka-esque show. The audience is craving this big moment throughout and, much like the kids who were promised candy and given just 2 jellybeans, we are left unsatisfied without it.
What takes up much too much time is the concept of the narrators on the side of the stage - the ‘star casting’ if you will. Seeing Kirsty Paterson involved is a sweet touch - Paterson was involved in the original Glaswegian scandal so it is nice to see her be given this opportunity for redemption from it (and an acting gig considering the desire for one is what got her into the mess in the first place). The trope of her just being the girl in the green wig who doesn’t get to tell her story is overplayed very quickly and if this show was to be given further iterations, I would hope that this would be something worked on. Whilst the first few minutes of seeing Paris Themmen (the original Milke Teevee in the Gene Wilder led film) was a nostalgic blast from the past, it quickly veered from a cute touch to a bit sad to be honest. Themmen’s delivery of lines suggested that life has likely taken him on alternative roads to acting, which would have been fine if his purpose in the show was clear. This felt very much like he was just there because the producers could book him - his role was questionable at best.
But if we instead focus on what truly is ‘sweet’ about this production, it is the talent of the cast - Cassandra Parker absolutely stood out! Dynamic in her expression, note perfect in her vocals but more than anything just ‘on’ energy wise from the get go, this was very much the Parker show.
As Wonka, Eric Petersen was very good - his strong voice carried some great solo songs that allowed him to shine. At times the villain, at times even the victim, Petersen had the audience really in the palm of his hand. Nicole Greenwood was beautiful as both an Oompa Loompa and AI - unquestionably the strongest soloist in the show. Also starring Chris Villain, Monica Evans, Shelly Regner and Wilkie Ferguson III - the cast really was excellent all round.
I really feel for this production because all the ingredients were there - there are even scratch and sniff cards to give you that Wonka vibe as you sit and watch. It is a cute touch and whilst most of the card smelt awful, I loved the ingenuity here. I also really appreciated the message of the show - particularly that expressed by Evans’ character whom embodied the idea of beauty being in the eye of the beholder. I wish more could have been realised with these poignant moments - again, just in need of more workshopping.
I commend the team for taking a bizarre and recent story and quickly turning it show for Edinburgh. With more development, the concept of the show has the potential that this could have been a fringe darling. It is just a weird enough concept to make for the perfect fringe show - a viral news story turned meme turned musical is exactly what could thrive here in Edinburgh. And maybe one day it could...with a new book, a much better set and the extremely awkward narrator idea hitting the cutting room floor.
Image Supplied