Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Performed by: Wrington Drama Club
Music and Lyrics by: Richard M. Sherman and
Robert B Sherman
Directed by: Eleanor Cashman
Musical Director: Ian Maitland-Round
Choreographer: April Cashman.
Performed at: Wrington Memorial Hall
Date: 6th February 2026
Noda Rep: Mike Purnell

From the moment we stepped into the buzzing full house, it was clear that
this was going to be a special night. As ever, we were greeted with a
wonderfully warm welcome, the kind that instantly sets the tone for an
evening of shared excitement. The hall itself had been completely
reimagined, transformed into an immersive in-the-round setting that pulled
the audience right into the heart of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It wasn’t just a
performance it felt like being invited into the adventure.
It was genuinely fun taking in all the different areas of the hall, each corner
offering something new to catch the eye. The intricate cog work scattered
throughout the space was especially striking, given the whole environment, a
playful, mechanical charm that suited the story perfectly. The inventors chest,
tucked in invitingly among the set pieces, looked full of promise and curiosity.
Even the lighting rig demanded attention clearly the result of meticulous
planning and countless hours of preparation. Everywhere you looked there
was evidence of real care and creativity, making the transformed hall feel like
a world waiting to be explored.
It was an inspired decision to place the band on the stage. They looked
absolutely magnificent in their military uniforms, adding a striking visual
presence before they even played a note. This choice proved to be a real
winner, making them feel completely integral to the evening rather than
tucked away in the background. Their placement brought an extra layer of
energy and cohesion to the whole performance, as if they were part of the
story’s machinery themselves.
The flow of the evening was extremely good, with a pace that carried the
audience along with real confidence. The only moment that slowed the
proceedings was the setting up of the toy shop. I found myself wondering
what I might have done differently and, given the in the round staging
whether the dancers could’ve been used to set the scene with some
choreographed movement. But of course, it’s always easy to say when you’re
sitting there watching. On the whole, though, this was very impressive, and
the momentum of the show never truly faltered.

The performances throughout the evening were full of charm and enthusiasm.
The cast handled the in the round staging with real confidence, drawing the
audience into every scene. There were some particularly memorable turns,
with each performer bringing their own spark to the story, and the ensemble
worked beautifully together to keep the energy high.
I’m sure we were all sitting there wondering how on earth Chitty was going to
make her entrance, and I can’t imagine a single person left disappointed.
Bringing her into the stage was a brilliant idea, and I must say she looked
incredibly impressive. For a moment it was easy to forget everything else
happening around her. Perhaps a touch more haze might have enhance the
flying effect but equally, that could’ve interfered with the band, so hats off to
you for striking the balance and making it work so smoothly. It was a
genuinely clever piece of staging. And the result felt nothing short of genius.
As the evening drew to a close, there was a real sense that we’d all shared
something rather special. The creativity, the ambition, and the sheer hard
work poured into this production was evident in every moment. From the
imaginative staging, to the confident performances and the unforgettable
entrance from Chitty herself, it all came together to create a show that was
both charming and impressively polished. The audience left buzzing and
rightly so. It’s clear that an enormous amount of passion sits behind this
company, and nights like this proved just how much they can achieve. A truly
delightful production that will stay with many of us for a long time.
COMPANY SINGING AND MOVEMENT
The company singing and movement were community theatre exactly as it
should be. With such a wide range of ages on stage, the choreography was
cleverly designed to suit all abilities while still looking cohesive and full of life.
Some of the more experienced voices added real depth and tone to the
musical numbers, giving the ensemble moments a richness that carried
wonderfully around the hall. It was clear that a great deal of thought had gone
into the movement and styling all of it perfectly suited to the piece. I
particularly enjoyed the harmony work that emerged through the company
singing. It added a lovely musical texture and showed just how well the
Group work together.
PROPS
All the props were well chosen for their scenes and clearly well sourced. The
haircutting machine was an absolute highlight, brilliantly funny and perfectly
timed. Potts lab also looked wonderfully inventive and well positioned, full of
character and charm. These touches added so much personality to the
production, showing just how much care had gone into creating a world that
felt playful, detailed, and true to the spirit of the story.

LIGHTING AND SOUND
The lighting and sound were strong throughout and contributed a great deal
to the overall impact of the production. There were a couple of tiny moments
where faces at stage level slipped out of the light and a few mic cues landed
a touch late, but these were minor details in an otherwise impressively
well‐run show. Given the size of the cast and the complexity of the staging,
the technical team achieved something genuinely commendable. The lighting
design in particular created some beautifully atmospheric moments, adding
depth and mood while always supporting—never distracting from—the action
on stage.
COSTUMES/HAIR AND MAKE-UP
The costumes were extremely inventive and did a wonderful job of
transporting us straight into the world of the story. This must’ve been a huge
undertaking for the wardrobe team - Julie, Liz and Jayne should be incredibly
proud of what they achieved. Every outfit felt thoughtfully designed and full of
character. Likewise, the hair and makeup were very much in keeping with the
style of the piece, adding those finishing touches that helped bring each role
to life. It was clear that a tremendous amount of care and creativity had gone
into this side of the production.
LEAD CHARACTERS
Caracticus Potts (Alan)
You brought a fantastic energy to the production. The role was well acted
throughout, and there was a lovely connection with Jemima and Jeremy that
really grounded the family dynamic. I also enjoyed the pairing with Truly, there
was an easy, natural rapport between you that worked very well on stage.
There were a few moments where it felt as though hearing the music clearly
might have been tricky, as the timing slipped slightly and the pitch dipped
now and again, but working in the round is notoriously challenging for that, so
it’s completely understandable. What really stood out was the sheer amount
you had to learn, the role is incredibly wordy, yet you delivered it with a
relaxed confidence. And I’ll admit, during “Me Ol’ bamboo,” I was very
tempted to join in. A strong, engaging performance.
Truly Scrumptious (Charlie)
You delivered a lovely performance, carried by a very pretty singing voice that
suited the role perfectly. There was a gentle confidence to your vocals that
made each musical moment feel effortless. You had a wonderful connection
with Jemima and Jeremy, bringing a real sense of warmth and care to your
scenes together. Your rapport with Caracticus was equally strong with a
natural ease between you that made your partnership believable and
engaging. Altogether a charming and well judged performance that added
real heart to the production.

JEREMY AND JEMIMA (Calum and Iris)
You both brought lovely vocals and great personality to your roles. You had a
bright engaging presence on stage and your confidence really helped drive
the story forward. Your connection you shared with each other and the rest of
the cast felt natural and genuine. We could certainly feel your fear when faced
with the Child Catcher, a moment you handled with real conviction. Together,
you added charm, energy, and heart to the production.
GRANDPA POTTS (Joel)
I understand you stepped into the role after the original performer had to
leave the production, and I truly take my hat off to you. You developed a
wonderfully engaging character and blended seamlessly into the Potts family
dynamic. Your timing was spot-on, and your vocals were strong throughout,
giving the role real presence and charm. It was an all round solid
performance, made even more impressive knowing the circumstances under
which you joined the cast.
BARON BOMBURST/BARONESS BOMBURST (Jon/Steph)
You both were an absolute delight, staying perfectly in character throughout
and bringing brilliant comedy timing to every scene you touched. Your
exaggerated mannerisms, sharp reactions, and playful chemistry made them
a joy to watch. You were also perfectly costumed, which only heightened the
humour and helped define your wonderfully over the top personalities.
Together, you added a vibrant burst of mischief and fun to the production.
BORIS/GORAN (Jon /Adam)
What a superb double act you both were, delivering very sharp timing and
bouncing off each other with real ease. Your playful energy lit up every scene
you were in, and built a great rapport with the audience from the moment you
appeared. The Mexican wave was a stroke of genius in this setting, brilliantly
unexpected and genuinely funny. Altogether, you brought a huge amount of
fun to the production and clearly enjoyed every moment on stage, which
made you both a joy to watch.
TOY MAKER (Julie)
This was a lovely performance played with warmth and gentle charm. You
brought a clear sense of character to the role, and your scenes were
engaging and well judged. It was a confident well acted portrayal that added
a touch of sweetness and humour to the story.

CHILD-CATCHER (Becky)
This was a chilling and wonderfully committed performance. You held the
character with real intensity, creating exactly the kind of uncertain presence
the role demands. Your physicality, timing, and stillness all worked together to
build that sense of menace, and the audience reaction, especially the
children showed just how effective you were. A striking portrayal that added
real tension and drama to the production.
DIRECTOR (Eleanor Cashman)
It was so nice to catch up with you during the performance. This was a
genuinely strong production, and so much of that comes down to the clear
vision and steady hand of the director. You shaped the show with confidence,
creativity, and a real understanding of how to bring community theatre to life.
The pacing, the character relationships, the inventive staging choices, and
the overall atmosphere all pointed to someone who knows how to get the
very best out of a large and varied cast. Your ability to guide performers of all
ages, while keeping the storytelling clear and engaging, was evident
throughout. It was a production full of heart, humour, and imagination. A
testament to your leadership and dedication. Well done.
Thank you, Wrington Drama Club for a wonderful welcome and a genuinely
excellent good night out.
Hope to see you all soon
Mike

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