Chitty Chitty Bang Bang rollicking good fun
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman; directors Sophie Belcher and Chris Burton
Speirs Centre, March 14-23
Reviewed by George Heagney
The latest show from Palmerston North Boys’ High and Girls’ High schools comes with helpings of comedy and nostalgia.
This year’s joint production between the two schools is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a lively and fun show with something for children and adults.
The book it’s based upon was written by Ian Fleming, the creator of famous English spy James Bond, but the 1968 children’s movie adaptation may be better known.
In Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, inventor Caractacus Potts creates a flying car, which becomes an object of desire for a dictator from the fictional nation Vulgaria, where children are banned.
Potts, along with his two children Jeremy and Jemima, as well as love interest Truly Scrumptious, have to rescue the car from Vulgarian spies the Baron, Baroness and Child Catcher.
This production rollicks along with catchy songs and funny lines that should put a smile on people’s faces. Some of the songs, including the titular Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, should trigger memories from anyone who watched the movie as a child.
They have come up with a clever way to create the car on stage and some of the scenes, such as the Scrumptious sweet factory, are well put together.
Leads Madeleine James and Jake Maskill as Truly Scrumptious and Caractacus Potts, respectively, put in good performances, but all the cast members make a strong singing group. The acting and accents are spot on too.
The show featured a couple of great dance numbers and it would have been good to see more.
Others to really stand out on stage include the hapless Vulgarian spies – Josh Harrison as Boris and Maia Niwa as Goran – who provide as much comic relief as they do deception.
The years between childhood and adulthood has not made the Child Catcher any less scary for this reviewer.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang runs from March 14 to March 23. Tickets are available on the Boys’ High website.