Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

CAOS Musical Theatre bring this well known and much loved production to the Rotherham Civic with their usual family cast and on this occasion an enormous array of amazing props no doubt keeping all the back stage team as busy off stage as those performers on. Chitty initially from a book then into a film and finally to the stage. As the audience arrives, we see an open stage and one of three various cars, nestled in Coggins scrap yard, rusty and old and the grand prix winner from 1910, but still  loved by the two children Jeremy and Jemima, as they play to stage right, we see the cleverly performed grand prix from 1910 simplistically reenacted by three performers with steering wheels along with the encouraging ensemble cheering them on to left of stage. This production is full of excellent staging and choreography and my compliments go to your production team of Jan Jackson, Peter Piper and Gaye Holmes whose combined experience in movement and song enabled the cast to really bring the musical to life. The practicalities of such a large group along with quite excellent props made space very limiting at times, but all dealt with seamlessly with ease and poise by the whole company. The inventor of so many failed items, the children’s father, Caractacus Potts, hears that Coggins needs to sell the old car to which his children are devastated. They persuade Potts to find the money to purchase and there the story evolves. A moment of magic when realising he has produced a whistling candy and they go to the factory to try and raise the 30 shillings to buy the car, without success but by chance meet Truly again, the daughter of Lord Scrumptious. Out of desperation he takes a further invention to the fair,  his automatic hair cutter and manages to sell it for the required sum and so the story evolves.

This production gave a number of performers some excellent acting opportunities Caractacus Potts by Jonny White, mad cap inventor and single father, having lost his wife, to the two children Jemima by Josie Higgs and Jeremy by Humphry Needham. So many magic moments between them along with moving numbers including ‘You Two’ and ‘ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ all culminating in Potts falling for the beautiful Truly Scrumptious performed by Fay Banks. A beautiful part performed with poise and ease, excellent and moving scenes as you get to know Potts and also the children. The children were quite excellent clearly enjoying ever aspect of the musical, competent acting, beautiful singing and controlled clear diction. Truly delivered her solo of ‘Lovely Lonely Man’ with real meaning. Grandpa Potts by Tom Barlow the ex- service man who thoroughly enjoyed repeating his war time stories. Lots of interactions with the children all excellently delivered,  you portrayed a special bond with the youngsters throughout. A clever twist of names from Bulgaria to Vulgarians see the baddies of the piece,  two wonderfully delivered roles from Baron Bomburst by Ben Jackson and Baroness Bomburst by Kerry Masson-Wilson , so many hilarious scenes with more than a touch of inuendo, two very competent performers enjoying their roles to the full along with the iconic number ‘ Chu-Chi face’ delivered with real panache. As in many panto situations the hierarchy don’t do the dirty work but employ others and, in this production, we meet Boris the Spy by David Clayton and Goran the Spy by Hannah Moore.What a great team you made, so many memorable scenes, costume changes all in an attempt to steal the cherished car. The hilarious scenes when pretending to be British complete with dubious accenting, memorable moments when using the phones and delivering the song ‘Act English’ . The Toy maker by Lucy Lonsdale acted and sang to a high standard particularly during ‘ Teamwork’ . There were so many cameo scenes, the child catcher, the most threatening character who certainly provoked the loud screams of the children, Lord Scrumptious to name but two but providing opportunities to many of the cast who all delivered and added so much to the musical. The large adult and junior ensemble should be delighted with their all round performances, so many varying scenes, many costume changes and often performing in fairly tight spaces when such an amount of large specialty props are being used. My compliments go to the costume’s designers, quite outstanding. The lighting and sound all well delivered and the orchestra levels well balanced allowing music and word to be clearly heard. Of course, this production as the title implies is all about the car, well no expense was spared when we see the culmination of the production as the car not only rises and falls but is also capable of flying and going on water. Your company continue to encourage the next generation of performers and how special for Haiden, Lucas, Eliza, Tilly, Ava, Rosa, Luca, Amy-Leigh, Cydney, Rosie, Beth and George to be involved and work with so many experienced adults, they all shone every time they were on stage.  

I can’t help but mention your backstage team who clearly have so little time to perfect all the stage moves but they did so well throughout. Thank you also for the very warm welcome received and lovely to share a few moments with your President Julia Hughes. To the programme designers, well done and how lovely that every performer had their individual write up.

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