A new stage is going to help 27 young actors bring to life Roald Dahl’s delicious tale of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this Friday.
Sunshine Community Theatre (SCT) now has its own long-awaited stage at Dempster Park hall, and it got a first taste of the finished product – complete with lighting and sound equipment – on October 20.
“This is a turning point in our history,” SCT secretary Stephen Andrews said.
“We feel like a real theatre group now. We haven’t been as strong in the past 10 years because we haven’t had a theatre, so getting a permanent stage has been instrumental.”
The new seven-by-four-metre stage was paid for with a $5000 grant from Brimbank council’s leisure services. Other improvements include upgrades to air-conditioning and security. It took a month to complete the works.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory director Gemma Francis says rehearsals have been under way since August. The cast of 27 children are all under 15.
“It’s fabulous; the kids are essentially running it all themselves and doing an amazing job,” Ms Francis said.
“We’ve taken the best parts of both movies, and it’s geared towards kids because it’s by kids.”
Tickets are $15, with children under six admitted free.
Tickets are available at bit.ly/13gaql0
