With a little help from global chocolate brand, Callebaut, Dunfermline chocolatier Jack Coghill ensures exciting new amateur production of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory is even sweeter
Having become known as Scotland’s answer to Willy Wonka, it seems fitting that Jack Coghill, Head Chef – and additionally, skilled pastry chef – at Jack ‘O’ Bryan’s Bar & Kitchen in Dunfermline, is lending his support to a new exclusive production of “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory”, which is running for five nights 14th-18th May at the Carnegie Hall, in Dunfermline.
Featuring lavish costumes & sets, together with a live orchestra to bring the “world of pure imagination” to life, the production is being staged by the newly formed Playhouse Theatre Company, an amateur dramatics company & theatre school, conceived by two former London musical performers, Jack Blundell and Lucy Duffy.
They are delighted that their production of Roald Dahl’s classic tale of all things sweet is the Scottish Amateur Premiere, meaning that no other theatre school in Scotland has yet staged this particular production of “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory”.
Featuring a cast of children aged from seven years old, plus adult performers aged up their mid 50’s, the Playhouse Theatre Company began auditioning for local people to get involved at the start of the year. It’s been rehearsing in The Kingsgate Hall in Dunfermline for the past few months.
Jack Blundell, who has fifteen years acting experience in London, appearing in TV, theatre, immersive shows and commercials, explained how he came to contact Dunfermline’s own Willy Wonka, Chocolatier & Pastry Chef, Jack Coghill, who has his own range of artisan handmade chocolates within Jack ‘O’ Bryan’s:
“We had read all about Jack’s success in the media,” he said. “Knowing he was based right here in Dunfermline, we reached out to him to see if he would like to support our production in some way – it certainly seemed the perfect fit!”
Taking up the story, Jack Coghill said: “I was absolutely thrilled to hear that a production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” was coming to Dunfermline. Who wouldn’t want to get involved in this classic show when you make chocolates and desserts for a living? I got straight on the phone to my chocolate supplier, global chocolate brand, Callebaut, to see if they too would get involved.”
“Over the past few months, I have been described in the media as “Scotland’s answer to Willy Wonka” on more than one occasion. I‘ve been doing a lot of press on all my handmade desserts and chocolates” added Jack. “Seems it has not gone unnoticed, as just in the last week I have received an invitation to be a Guest Chef next month at the World Chocolate Masters 24/25, the only competition in the world solely dedicated to the creative talents of professionals with chocolate.
“I thought Wow, if ever there was an event which is like being transported to a real life Chocolate Factory, with all kinds of incredible chocolate creations all around, then this it. I’ll be in my element!”
Jack regularly attends training courses with Callebaut at their Academy in Banbury to ensure that he stays abreast of the very latest techniques in creating and decorating the most impressive and inventive chocolates.
Delighted to hear about the production, and the positive associations for Jack and his hometown, Callebaut have now agreed to sponsor specially made up boxes of Jack’s handmade chocolates that he will donate to The Playhouse Theatre Company. These will be won by audience members who, to mimic the excitement of the original tale, can discover a “golden ticket” in their programmes. Another golden ticket will provide a voucher for a meal at Jack ‘O’Bryan’s.
Jack finished by saying that he wished The Playhouse Theatre all the very best with the show. “We hope that winning a box of my chocolates, or the voucher for a meal, will add that extra element to attending.”
“It was a fantastic idea to have the Golden Tickets which the Playhouse Theatre are making up specially.”
Lucy Duffy, who is originally from Kinross, and is a graduate of the prestigious Italia Conti Academy, expressed her gratitude to Jack, and said, that on behalf of the entire cast, they were “beyond excited to be staging the ultimate story for those who love chocolate in all its forms.”
“Our thanks once again to Jack and Callebaut for their support! We can’t wait to entertain and delight everyone in a few days’ time. The Carnegie Hall is the most fantastic venue for the Show too,” she said.
“As our only dates in Scotland, we are hoping that the City gets behind our theatre company, which, although young, is growing fast in reputation – a bit like Chocolatier Jack himself!” added Lucy.
“It’s just a pity we couldn’t have used him to make edible props!”
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” is a must-see musical with toe-tapping songs by the writers of Hairspray, and the exciting tale of 5 lucky golden ticket winners by Roald Dahl.
Tickets for the show are now available online at http://www.onfife.com or through Carnegie Hall Box office on 01383 602302. Don’t miss this delicious hit musical guaranteed to wow the whole family!
The Playhouse Theatre Company is offering a wide variety of weekly classes in Dunfermline, including Musical Theatre, Acting and Dance, as well as Pro-training, a class designed for those who have ambitions in going to drama school or a career in performance. “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory” is the first of many local productions it plans to stage in Dunfermline.
www.playhousetheatrecompany.com