Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

The company as a whole excelled themselves with this show. The quality and clarity of voices, the energy and talent of all the youngsters accompanied by confidence and commitment was there to hear and see. They unfolded the well known story of Caracatus Potts, the inventor, converting an old car at the pleading of his young family into a wonderful motoring, sailing and flying machine which was soon sought after by the Baron Bomburst and then created delightful entertainment. Ryan Watson gave us a loving father and an understanding son, demonstrating his versatility in acting with his enthusiasms for his inventions, in singing with his tenderness as in Hushabye Mountain and in movement with his agility in his puppet role. His young children were amazing. Erin Melville as Jemima and Callan Wilson as Jeremy impressed from the first with their energy, with singing that was crystal clear and with a total commitment to their characters. Alexander Marjoribanks played a deliciously eccentric Grandad Potts. The lovely role of Truly Scrumptious was truly personified by Orla Martin who had a voice to match and truly triumphed as the Doll in the Musical Box. Her father Lord Scrumptious played by Blair Hamilton was another adult figure who understood the workings of the business world. In contrast were the childlike behaviours of Baron Bomburst and his wife. Finlay Hunter exemplified the grumpy and petulant Baron and Abigail Brown showed a demanding and self-centred Baroness. Their clearly delivered duet with clean, deliberate movement and humour was spot on. Their broken English speaking henchmen sent to steal the car Chitty Chitty Bang Bang provided their own brand of humour. Playing off one another, Mia Marsili as Boris and Katie Walker as Goran worked well together. The bush joke was well handled. The roles of the Child Catcher, with a suitably evil Marley Thomson and of the Toymaker with sympathetic and practical Milly McLean along with other minor principals were all well characterised. The chorus sang well and played all their parts with great precision whether crowds or scientists or sewer people while the dancers delighted with their deftness in Me Ol’Bamboo and The Bombie Samba and in gentler ones like Toot Sweets. Costumes were crisp and smart in keeping with an opulent time, then flamboyant in Brazilian style and colour and then contrasted with the poverty of those living in the sewers. The scenes were well staged and much praise must go to their workshop for the cars. ChittyChitty Bang Bang was amazing, racing through the lanes before taking to the water then to the skies. All in all this performance was a credit to everyone involved.

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