All,

The nut scene can be done VERY easy. We used a huge 55 gallon drum. There were three on the stage - one had the back cut off of it (it was only half round). The squirrels would throw large hand made nuts into the two barrels and the third was reserved for Veruca. She would stand behind it singing and then slowly bend down behind it - from stage, looked like she fell in. Sounds too easy to work but it was very effective. We actually painted our barrels in bright pink with stripes - they were really cute. Our nuts were amazing - actually made with paper bags, stuffing, etc.

For the Mike TV scene - we created a large wonka vision (shrink device) by using a large telescope with an attached horn off the front. Looked like a shrink gun. The whole thing was painted in metallic silver. The light effects allowed time for Mike to disappear quickly and then he reappeared as a small doll inside a fake TV. It was VERY well done and was really quite comical. I recommend searching www.iwascast.com for Wonka to see photos and such. Several shows have been logged here. Please email me if you have questions, need photos or anything. :)

A fellow Wonker! :)

Thanks so much for sharing your ideas our Wonka production is going to be in January 09.  I would love to see your pictures. Also we plan to promote our production by selling candy bars with  5 golden tickets hidden inside to be redeemed for special rewards. So any suggestions you may have for labels or graphics would be greatly appreciated.

I am directing Willy Wonka, Jr. for the middle school where I teach. Our show is April, 2009 and we are beginning to work on our sets. Does anyone have any ideas about how to make large candy for the factory scenes? I have been thinking about using styrofoam, but it is very expensive. i would like to have candy the oompa loompas can roll out or carry out. 

Hi!   We took cardboard for large candies and used plastic "ice cream" colors tablecloths for wrappers (cut of course and ties with curling ribbon).  It was a wonderful effect.  For suckers we did the same using dowling for the sticks that had been painted white.  Much less work than paper machier.