Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

If my review were to consist of 3 words it would be “WOW, WOW, WOW.”

 

Luckily, I’m allowed to enhance on that and give more clarity to those comments. It truly was a magical journey which I enjoyed on both nights that I was privileged enough to attend. It took me back to being a little girl as my grandma took me to see the film when it came out in 1968. I also remember watching it with my daughter on TV when she was about the same age and loved that she was able to see this show with me.

 

There was no set as such but with real clever use of lighting and props I really didn’t miss it. In fact it provided plenty of space for the wonderful dance routines which were brilliantly set by Tracy Harper.  Tracy’s routines for every number were fabulous but a special mention for “Toots Sweets” and “Me Ol’ Bamboo” which were breathtaking.  I also loved the creativity in Posh!, The Roses of Success, Chu-Chi Face and Doll On A Music Box. The Vulgarian National Anthem and Bombie Samba were extremely well executed and very funny. Well done Tracy on such varied routines.

 

The lighting was gorgeous and complimented the scenes beautifully which was so important in this production. The sound never faltered during the shows I saw. The props, again so important in this production, looked amazing and were moved with such ease that they sort of magically appeared. I know how little space there is backstage at the Plaza and the stage crew and Brenda Starkey the Props Mistress did an absolutely brilliant job piecing everything together so there were seamless changes to scenes. I still haven’t worked out where Chitty went when not on stage! Magical stage managing from Nicola Wales and Steve Hilditch.

 

The direction by Michael Jones-McCaw was stunning with no hold ups in scene changes, brilliant casting and vision, gorgeous costumes and the most beautiful car. I know the casting of both children and dogs was a mammoth task with so much talent about and that Michael was assisted well by his production team and society officials who went above and beyond the call of duty holding auditions for the dogs in the car park among other brilliant marketing ideas. Kieran Hickey as Production Secretary and Canine Co-ordinator deserves a mention here as the support given I’m sure was invaluable.

 

 

Claire Sweeney as MD not only did a great job with the orchestra but the harmonies and vocals on all the numbers were simply stunning and the children in both Team Miraculous and Team Spectaculous sounded wonderful.

 

The cast including the ensemble and Children’s teams were absolutely superb and each played their parts brilliantly. This show was such a feel good show and my jaws ached at the end of Act 1 as I smiled all the way through, even through happy tears when Chitty made her spectacular entrance. The doggy cast were lovely and caused mayhem at the end of Toot Sweets just as they should. They say “Never work with Children or Animals” but this show proved them wrong!

 

Both sets of Jeremy’s and Jemima’s were fabulous. Team Spectaculous was covered by Harry Willbourn as Jeremy and Lenka Shaw as Jemima. Harry had such a cheeky way and his vocals were fabulous. Lenka had so much stage presence and was never out of character, even when the action wasn’t on her and with gorgeous vocals too. They both interacted with the adults very naturally and were never overshadowed by the older performers. Team Miraculous was fronted by Toby Fullman and Olivia Williams as the siblings and again both were fantastic. Toby holds the stage whenever he is on it and had lovely clear diction. Olivia looked so sweet and had lovely vocals and again the two young performers acted beautifully opposite the adults.

 

Gary Jones-McCaw was perfect in the role of Caractacus Potts the father trying to bring up his two young children whilst inventing to make a living. Gary was warm, funny and awkward when needed and his dancing in every dance number was phenomenal. Vocally he sounded amazing and “Hushaby Mountain” bought a tear to my eye as it was so beautiful. How you manage to sing in songs such as “Me Ol’ Bamboo” whilst dancing full out is still a mystery to me but you never put a foot or a note wrong.

 

Sarah Thewlis made a stunning Truly Scrumptious with gorgeous vocals, nice dance moves and touching acting especially with the children. The care taken to produce a perfect Truly just as I remembered her as a child was brilliant and Sarah looked and sounded great throughout.

 

Martyn Preston was wonderful as Grandpa Potts. His accent, acting, dancing and vocals all came together beautifully and this role made me laugh often. I loved his scenes with the children and Posh! was a brilliant  number.

 

Andy Gibson and Scott Lees worked well together as the villainous spies. These roles produced plenty of laughs along the way which were executed brilliantly by the pair. Ben Drane put in lovely performances as both Mr Coggins and The Toymaker with great dance moves and different accents to add to each character.

 

Paul Allison was absolutely terrifying as the Childcatcher. His make up and voice made him beyond recognition and all the children sat around me snuggled up closely to parents/grandparents whenever he was on. Paul acted and moved superbly in this role and also had the small part in Act 1 of The Junkman which had similar threatening characteristics.

 

Steve Harrison was great as Lord Scrumptious and especially as Baron Bomburst who acted like a little boy especially with his love of Toys. His comic timing worked wonderfully well in the role.  He played brilliantly opposite Julie Proffitt as Baronesss Bomburst who was absolutely fantastic in this role. Her accent, demeanour, dancing and vocals were made for this part. She made me laugh so much every time she was on stage and was never out of character. Her smaller role as Miss Phillips was also brilliantly executed and also made me laugh. Her dance moves looked wonderful especially in “Bombie Samba” and “Chu-Chi Face”. A fabulous performance.

 

There wasn’t a weak link in this cast or the production as a whole. I loved every minute of it, both nights, taking me back to days with my Grandma and would thank Denise and the committee for their kind invitation to review the first of my Romiley shows. I look forward to many future productions if this is the standard of your shows.

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