Chord Fehr says the experience of portraying the iconic character Willy Wonka was rewarding and has greatly increased his own confidence as an actor. The grade 12 student at Carlton High School plays the title character in Broadway North Youth Company’s production of Willy Wonka Jr . The show opens Friday afternoon at the EA Rawlinson Centre.
“It’s been really amazing and it’s what keeps me coming back here year after year. I just love the experience and I love the community,” Fehr said, who has been with the company for nine years. Roald Dahls’ beloved story has been read by millions and millions of people around the world and adapted through three Hollywood films.
When asked about his inspiration for the character, Fehr acknowledged his favourite portrayal of Willy Wonka, was the one in the original 1971 movie by Gene Wilder. “He was just so different and really creative”, Fehr explained, adding he loves the diversity of the character and the opportunity to change from a normal person to someone who is somewhat weird and creepy. Ian Dickson is the director of this year’s play and when asked about the challenge of bringing such a well known story to the stage, said it was actually quite easy.
“[The actors] know all the back stories from all those other movies they have seen, so then can bring that into their characters and into the scenes they are doing,” he said.. While the play includes many of the elements familiar to people, such as the Oompa Loompa.