Association of Community Theatre

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG

Romiley Operatic Society

 

Director Michael Jones – McCaw

Musical Director Claire Sweeny

Chorographer Tracy Harper

 

Ian Fleming’s book which was made into a childrens’ film has been turned into a truly scrumptious musical. It is stuffed with witty jokes, an evil empire, spies and villains. Then there is “Chitty” herself, the floating, flying, beloved car of the Potts family. All this is wrapped up in the infectious music and songs of the Sherman brothers, composers for the musical “Mary Poppins”.

 

The amount or preparation to stage this family-friendly, sweet shop musical must have been immense. It was apparent where every penny was spent on this production. Besides the budget, there was the technical nightmare of finding a set to fit the frustrating stage restriction of this particular performing venue. The decision was taken by the society that “less is more” to enable the staging to fulfil its maximum potential. All the locations were depicted simply but very effectively, with scenery supplied by another community group (Orbit Theatre Co). This did not detract from the spectacle of this lavish production.

 

A very important element, to take the audience into the children’s “Chitty world”, was the character presentation. Charade’s costumes enhanced the production, and a special mention for the in-house waistcoats made for the Morris dancers.

 

The danger of presenting such a beloved story is that an audience comes and expects to recognise all the characters, including the principal character, “Chitty”. They were not disappointed: she was there is all her magical glory.

 

A strong cast with an abundance of experience was assembled. They not only filled the celluloid characters’ shoes, they added their own interpretation.

 

The creative team had the challenge of telling the story in true Disneyesque style. This story is told by the children and it created a pop-up picture book presentation. The car is a member of the Potts family and loved as a person. The story-telling, singing and dancing captured the essence of the piece.

 

It is an old adage that one should “never work with children or animals”. I do not know its origins but it could not be used for this how. The doggy cast were disciplined and were an integral part of the story. There was energised work from the ensemble, and skilful dancing all of which added to the visual presentation.

As each page of the picture book was turned, by means of storytelling, an array of colourful characters emerged. There were Mr Goggins, Miss Phillips, Lord Scrumptious Toymaker and the fabulous spies, Goran and Boris. Portrayal of the inept intelligence agents by Andy Gibson and Scott Lees, was a comedy tour de force. Taking equal billing for comedy was duo, Steven Harrison, as Baron Bomburst, and Julie Proffitt, as the Baroness. They really shone as the “gruesome twosome”, the rulers of Vulgaria. Their henchman, The Child Catcher, was given all the necessary venom by Paul Allison who wallowed in the audience’s hisses and boos.

Head of the Potts family is Grandpa played by Martyn Preston who caught the spirit of the character. The children, Jeremy Potts, portrayed by Lenka Shaw, and Harry Willbourn as Jeremy Potts, both shone particularly brightly as they delivered animated dialogue and delightful singing.

 

Entering their lives, and providing the love interest for the story is Truly Scrumptious, played with understanding and gentleness by Sarah Thewlis. The developing relationship with the Potts children and their widowed father was tenderly captured. Caractacus Potts, the eccentric inventor who was blinkered by his work and family until Miss Truly comes along, was played by Gary Jones-McCaw. .As Potts he captured the affability and charm of the family man, and the meltdown of his affection for Miss Scrumptious.

 

“Team work can make a dream work” and this production certainty proved it!