Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Chitty is a musical that demands high standards in technical extravagance and spectacle.   However, it asks too, for a cast that delivers dance energy and precision together with over-the-top acting styles, with, at the same time, excellent delivery. This, Kelty MA gave in abundance. 

The small group of principals is centred on widowed inventor, Caractacus Potts (Graeme Melvin), a very personable Truly (Amy Elder) and Potts’ children Jeremy (Callum Burnett) and Jemima (Summer Macauley-Hendry). This quartet became the perfect foil for the remaining principals who, in general, were more comedic in nature. Worth mentioning, the diction of the two children was outstanding.   Here we should also mention the fine acting by the two incompetent Vulgarian Spies (Chris Tomlinson and Andy Dolan). They quickly became favourites of the audience, drawing much well-deserved applause.

Charlie Sinclair as Grandpa Potts shone in his solo numbers as well as leading one of the show highlights, together with his team of inventors, in “The Roses of Success”.   The Baron and Baroness (Fraser Jamieson & Cheryl Menzies) took the comedy in the show to another level, so, too, their hilarious delivery of “Chu Chi Face”. Finally, the Childcatcher (Hollie Wegner-Jaszkin) offered a suitably frightening “baddie” in the show but was tempered by the gentle character of the Toymaker (Daniella Barnes),  whose leading of the childrens’ revolt at the Palace certainly achieved the involvement of the children sitting around us.  Lastly, Kevin Keir gave us a fine Lord Scrumptious, owner of the sweet empire.

The show was well directed, artistically by Malcolm Burnett and musically by Alan Gibson, but ultimate praise in this circumstance must go to the Choreographer, Elinor Tomlinson. Elinor’s devising of the dance routines was exceptional, “Me ‘Ol Bamboo” led by Graeme Melvin being just one of the numbers in point. All the dance numbers were of an extremely high standard, and, not taking anything away from the skill of the dancers, had been rehearsed to perfection!

Well done all for another excellent Kelty Musical Association show!

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