Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

My overall description of this production would be ‘outstanding’ and I would have been very happy to have seen it twice but it was a complete sell out. The direction was superb. I have learnt not to expect less from Kate. The choreography was also very important. I really appreciated the intricate shapes and patterns Rachel wove with lively, memorable routines, especially ‘Me Ol’ Bamboo’ and ‘Toot Sweet’. James, in the orchestra pit, gave great support to everyone on stage, never drowning out the vocals, the actual words adding greatly to the humour and feel of the entire production. If you are going to put on a production of ‘Chitty’ you have got to be prepared to spend money on the all important car and a really good set. This they certainly did and Mark Winrow and his team worked tirelessly to make the whole show work. On the subject of costumes the same applies. They were great. Sound and lighting were both in very capable hands and that just leaves the cast!

Well, what can I say about them except magnificent. I am going to start with two small people, Reuben McGreevy (aged 8) and Meadow Pearson (aged 9) who were seldom off the stage, performed and sang delightfully, both having a great future in front of them, I feel sure. I didn’t see the other 2 children Alfie Riddle and Bonnie Long but I understand they were equally good. Tony Bright as Caractacus Potts was lucky to be performing with such talented children but the reverse is even more to the point. He was perfect for the role. He interacted so well with everyone, his personality positively glowing from the stage. I don’t think I would want to see this show again for a while with someone else in the part as he brought the whole stage to life filling the part to perfection.

Truly Scrumptious played by Katy Eyre met the Potts family and developed an excellent relationship with the children.  Her behaviour and dress sense were totally appropriate for the daughter of a wealthy factory owner and her singing was a delight, especially her version of ‘Doll on a Music Box’. Grandpa Potts was played by David Bennett. He was very well cast in this role being a convincing actor with a good singing ability. I loved his version of ‘Posh’ which he sang with the children and still find myself humming the melody of ‘The Roses of Success’ which he sang with the group of inventors.

I was very taken with the spies Boris and Goran played by Jason Green and Adam Collins. Their whole performance was very accomplished, their movements being very cleverly synchronised and never out of step. They managed to squeeze every bit of humour out of every situation and the audience loved them. Baroness and Baron Bomburst were brilliantly played by Vikki Strachan and Steve Wallace. They both threw themselves into their roles showing the right amount of absurdity making the most of their highly amusing parts. They certainly made the most of their ensemble number ‘The Bombie Samba’ and their great duet ‘Chu-Chi Face’.

With a cast of so many it wouldn’t be sensible to try to mention them all by name but I can assure you that everyone appeared to be giving this show their all. The remainder of the principals, many of whom I have seen on stage before, the Ensemble and the delightful team of children all helped to make this an outstanding production. My congratulations to everyone.

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