Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Theatre Royal Drury Lane ***

 When I saw this translation of Dahl's classic last year, it is fair to say I despised. I had never heard music so infuriatingly unmemorable and soppy without any reason. The Oompa Loompas seemed uninspired and the sets in the second half disappointing. Therefore, how surprised must I have been when I saw a totally different show! They have reconsidered the design of the Loompas, meaning that they looked less ridiculous, with only one scene in which they look weird. They have also cut a rather dull prologue which keeps up the pace. Alex Jennings is a very different Wonka yet just as quirky and excellent as Douglas Hodge, with a range of accents that more than make up for the variable quality of singing. The Charlie Bucket is also just as amazing, adorable and professional as the one I saw last year. The sets also look more presentable than  last year but the chocolate garden still looks shabby and the glass elevator loses it's magic from the second row in the stalls. Unfortunately, I am still unconvinced by the music. Shaman and Wittman clearly have not totally transferred the magic of Hairspray to this. There is always a comparison with Matilda to be had with this musical which is somewhat unfair as it just is not the same thing however, when it comes to warmth and quality, Matilda does trump this as an adaption of Dahll.