Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR is a huge musical with some very well known characters and musical numbers so I was excited to go along and see this performance by All Saints Elton Theatre Company (Youth Section).

We entered the theatre auditorium to see a closed stage with a set of stairs leading off the stage at either front side. Different sized and coloured cogs and wheels decorated the front flat on either side of the stage. There was a projection on the front of the closed curtains. The set was quite minimal and easily moved by Stage Manager Andy Milthorpe and his team, Sound by MSL Oldham was good throughout with no gremlins or drops, all sound effects came in on time. I will also mention at this time that I heard no prompts from Wendy Crowley – well done!  Lighting was sympathetic to the scenes. Costumes overseen by Su Terry as Wardrobe Mistress were good, I would just mention that the Baroness (Jasmine Harris) had an issue with a sash that came undone while on stage, she simply carried on – she didn`t try to grab it – well done!

It is difficult to pick any one person out because it was real teamwork on the stage, from the first notes of singing there was attack and energy. Each individual characterisation was solid in its foundation, accents were thrown in and upheld well. The Spies – Boris (Charlton Blood) and Sid (Lana Nuttall) were funny and likeable, they made a good connection with the audience. Likewise The Baron (Jacob Fleming) and The Baroness (Jasmine Harris) were big expressive, funny characters – I particularly enjoyed their rendition of “ Chu-Chi Face” they threw themselves in and were committed. Frankie Armstrong as Jemima is one to keep an eye on for the future, her vocals were solid and her connection with the audience good, she had some great chemistry on stage with her brother Jeremy (Jessica Simms). Jessica too had some strong vocals and delivered her dialogue well. Theo Skorzewski (Caractacus Potts ) and Freya Dempsey (Truly Scrumptious) kept some great pace in this production, they both showed some excellent vocals and clear diction with dialogue. It was a real moment when the whole cast were singing “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and the car appears in full glory for the first time complete with bubbles to close the first half – I will admit to having a tear in my eye because I was so proud of these children and what they had achieved. The second half had just as much energy and attack as the first half  and we were soon  introduced to Lucy Jackson as the frightening Child Catcher and Harper Lucas-Caine as the friendly Toymaker. A stand out moment was when the music box made by Chris Terry was brought out with Freya (Truly) on it dressed and moving  as a doll  as she performed “Doll On A Music Box” – not an easy task at all. The Finale consisting of everyone brought the show to a close to a tremendous and well deserved  applause from the audience.

Thank you for inviting me. Both myself and my guest enjoyed this production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR and I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

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