#catcf dutch tour

[wonkaautismtruther]

Can we just take a second to appreciate how AMAZING this program from Zwolse Theaters is (where the Dutch CatCF Tour ran a few weeks ago) [design by Viesrood]

Like, it goes hard as-is but it's even BETTER when you know about the choices that were made for the Dutch Tour and how they are represented in this program.

[📸s by Nathalie Dekkers]

The designers of the Dutch Tour made the choice that Wonka should be an surrealist artist of sorts. (Which is why I'll forever be upset we didn't get Simply Second Nature in our soundtrack, it would've fit so well)

There are multiple references to 20th century surrealists, such as Salvador Dalí, but more explicitly: René Magritte. Especially in the Mixing Room there's a lot of references. The Giant Mixing Cup™ is... Well:

The Elephant design was based off Dalí's work, when you take a look at his 1948 work "Elephants", you'll see how.

When the Tour enters the Mixing Room, when only the Elephants head is shown, however, one of the first things Charlie says is "that's an elephant", to which Wonka replies by showing us what's written on the box surrounding it: "ceci n'est pas un éléphant." Probably the clearest art reference in the show: a reference to Magritte's 1929 painting La Trahison des Images.

It is in this room Wonka wears a different hat as well:

But wait! I recognise that hat from somewhere! Oh right! Magritte's famous Son Of Man (1964)

But, maybe even more clearly referenced by the program, Man in a Bowler Hat (1964)

And that's why I'm going absolutely feral over this program. They understood so well what vibe the Dutch Tour was going for and that's amazing.

[wonkaautismtruther]

MORE BEAUREGARDES ON ROLLER SKATES I'M SO HERE FOR IT

catcf kid swap au by @afarmforthree

(click for better quality) :)

[wonkaautismtruther]

Little things from the Dutch CATCF tour that make me go mildly feral (Act One)

Spoilers for those who still want to see it? Maybe? You should x

"The Oompa Loompa Doo pa di do Orchestra"

The children actually being played by children !!! (and they're SO good as well?????)

The way they managed to make it partially Broadway, partially West End???? Amazing

PLEASE THE GIANT W I LOVE THE GIANT W SO MUCH

Herman the dog = Herman the Oompa Loompa? We may never know

The creepy ass candy cart??? Love it

A guy in the ensemble during The Candy Man wearing a skirt and ROCKING it

"You don't think Wonka is the best chocolatier ever?" "Well he's certainly in the top one."

Some people from the Orchestra actually joining the people on stage during More Of Him To Love

Just,,,, all of Mr. Salt. He's so extra I love him

"Daddy, I want three dogs." AND THEN IN ACT 2 VERUCA ACTUALLY LISTS ALL OF HER PETS AND THE 3 DOGS ARE THERE ON THE LIST

THEY PUT VIOLET ON ROLLER SKATES??????

Jerry just,,, appearing in the fridge (and Charlie slamming the door shut when he starts announcing a new GTW)

Mike pulling the "stage plug" and the lights going out but like in a really cool way idk how to explain it but I think that's one of my favourite parts of Act One

Mrs. Bucket holding/hugging Mr. Bucket's coat and then giving it to Charlie as a blanket during If Your Father Were Here please I'm sobbing

CHARLIE WEARING THAT COAT WHEN HE FINDS THE GOLDEN TICKET !!!!!!

THE GIANT W LIFTING TO BECOME THE FACTORY YES YES YES

I just love that W I'm so sad it's only in Act One

Wonka (sometimes) looking genuinely scared of the children during the "despite the man seen at these doors" part of IMBBTBS

Also Wonka using the cane as a microphone at the end !!!

His "Do Come In"? ICONIC

Act Two coming up!

[wonkaautismtruther]

[wonkaautismtruther]

We were bored on the Charlie Discord so now we semi-proudly present to you:

CatCF characters and their fave Efteling rides

Please note that this was made by Dutch Tour fans so it will include some Dutch Tour Only characters (Barry & Herman my beloved) and it'll also be based off their Dutch Tour personalities

Wonka's fave would be Villa Volta, do I need to explain?

Charlie's no. 1 would be Symbolica, but he only ever does Muziektour

Augustus' would be Carnaval Festival and he'd be the only person on the ride enjoying the song

Veruca's is definitely Droomvlucht, and her favourite scene would be Elfentuin

Violet would be at Joris en de Draak all day but ONLY Water/Blue screaming at Mike

Mike would be on Fire/Red screaming back at her

I like to think of Jerry, Cherry & Barry just chilling at like,,, Gondoletta or Pagode or something

Grandpa Joe would also just be chilling but at the Oude Tufferbaan

Herman is still mourning Spookslot

The other Oompa Loompas can always be found staring at the little trains in Diorama

Mrs. Gloop would be maining the horses of Stoomcarousel

Mr. Salt would be fascinated by Volk van Laaf but has to leave because Veruca wants to do another round of Droomvlucht

Mr. Beauregarde would be on Baron 1898 FRONT ROW

Mrs. Teavee would just be glad she can take a break at Raveleijn

Mrs. Bucket would love Sprookjesbos, specifically Meisje met de Zwavelstokjes

[wonkaautismtruther]

Dutch Tour inspired Vasteloavend/Cosplay fit, it's my first ever cosplay and I had to get everything from the carnival shop because I can't make stuff myself, but I'm really happy with how it turned out!

[wonkaautismtruther]

As the Dutch CATCF Tour is nearing its end and I'm getting a tad emotional over it, I thought it was the right time to explore the reason why exactly this musical means so much to me, even though I'd never heard of it before last december. I'm not going to talk about the little things in the show that I love to see, like details or characters I like. Those are for a different post. This post is about everything but the story and its details.

The reason my friend and I wanted to see Charlie a second time, which, in hindsight, caused this hyperfixation, was because of the incredible acting. Especially Act Two seemed almost improvised in the best possible way. We wanted to go a second time to see just how much of it was scripted – which turned out to be most of it.

I think it was at this second time that I started to notice how much I recognised my own autistic traits in the way Remko Vrijdag portrays Wonka. I don't know if it's intentional or not, but I've never recognised myself that clearly in a character before. I don't mean Wonka in the story, but the little details Remko Vrijdag puts into his character, ranging from the obvious ones like not liking to be touched to smaller ones like stims (some I even have myself!). I think this recognition is a big part of why this story stuck to me.

Then we had to wait until the first week of January for the second run at my local theater. In the meanwhile I found a lovely community of Charlie fans. I made some amazing friends there for which I'll be eternally grateful. Of course this helped me grow even more attached to the story, but not necessarily to Dutch Tour.

Then January came. In the meanwhile I'd fallen in love with the musical and bought tickets for the first and last performance at my local theater. And then another. And another. Until at one point, I became afraid the cast + crew ("Team Charlie") was getting sick of me. So I posted it to my story asking what to do and got an unexpected but lovely response from Kevin Klein, who plays Mr. Beauregarde. He invited me to stage door to say hi (which I'd never dared do before, Stagedooring isn't really a thing here), where we had a lovely talk. He got my CATCF copy signed by the whole cast AND gave me a tour. Definitely one of the best days of my life.

And re: the fear Team Charlie was getting sick of me: he assured me they weren't and actually enjoyed seeing someone like the show that much and I ended up buying tickets for all the shows at my local theater + a show at each theater it played at after.

I still get so happy when the cast view my Instagram stories, genuinely, it still makes my day. It's something so small but it really makes me smile. I know I keep saying "I don't go because I'm obsessed with a certain actor", which is true! First and foremost I'm in love with the musical and all its details and the way it's performed. But I'd be lying if I'd say the interactions I've had with the cast – ranging from Story views to actual talks – had no part in it.

I've never experienced anything like this before. It's a wonderful musical performed by such lovely people. So dear "Team Charlie", thank you for everything.

Lots of love,

Nijs

[wonkaautismtruther]

Charliecitaten die een vast plekje in mijn vocabulaire hebben geclaimed

"Zoooo... Opgelost!"

"Oké."

"Met een lachje in onze pasjes en een huppeltje in ons hart!"

"Zo veel tijd, zo weinig te doen."

"Excuses, dat klopt niet."

"Pardon."

"Valse noot!"

Wonkanoises™

"Volg mij!"

"Geschoten in het wild!"

[wonkaautismtruther]

Am I really missing the Dutch CatCF musical or am I just missing that feeling of exploring new cities/theaters to see the actors who'd been nothing but kind to me shine on stage and hear the applause for them and then going home knowing I'd explore a new city/theater and hear a whole different set of jokes the next week? The musical was AMAZING but the people I got to meet and places I got to see because of it? Even more so.

[wonkaautismtruther]

So yesterday was Dutch CatCF Tour Closing Day and it was lovely meeting the cast but I'm genuinely heartbroken rn so if anyone has some post-show depression tips please tell me, meanwhile have a meme I cried over while making it

[wonkaautismtruther]

It's just so funny how some of the Dutch Tour cast follow me on Instagram and actively view my Story and they're just watching me descend into total madness as I go see their silly little musical for the literal 15th time in less than 3 months time

[wonkaautismtruther]

Absolutely losing it over these pics of Remko!Wonka he's so ,,,,

(full post including some more BANGER pics)

[wonkaautismtruther]

[wonkaautismtruther]

Currently working on a transcript of Dutch CatCF tour and I need to scream about this production so feel free to jump into my DMs either here or on Insta (melodieenvandenacht) if you want to know more about THE best version

[wonkaautismtruther]

I still regularly think about Dutch CatCF Closing Weekend when I brought some chocolate for the cast on Saturday and then Dutch Mr Beauregarde sent me a video with their reactions and then Dutch Mrs Gloop posted that video, calling me "superfan" in the caption,,, like man,,, I'm an officially certified Dutch Tour superfan,,, still processing that a month later,,, BUT ALSO THE VIDEO IS SO CUTE 🥹