The moment that I saw a poster for The Rattonians production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, I was seriously intrigued to imagine how the iconic movie-musical could be successfully adapted for the stage by an amateur company. After all, flying cars are not something that one sees on stage every day but, somewhere deep down, I knew that if anyone can, The Rattonians can – and they really do deliver.
The story, like all good childrens stories, is quite simple and very charming. Good overcomes evil and motherless children find a “Truly Scrumptious” stepmother. Although Ian Fleming is probably best known for creating the world’s most famous secret agent James Bond, he also wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as a present for his son, Caspar.
The tale concerns two children, Jeremy and Jemima who are adored by their widowed father, the eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, and their slightly potty grandfather. In order to please his children Caractacus agrees to purchase and resurrect an old Grand Prix racing car, which turns out to be more than they could ever have bargained for.
But greedy Vulgarian Baron Bomburst and his child-hating Baroness are desperate to get their hands on Chitty, so they enlist the help of two very incompetent spies to try and steal the car – and the inventor!
Damon Willer plays Caractacus Potts perfectly. He serves the unassuming, simple nature of Caractacus well while still having the look of a slightly crazy inventor and, in the scenes with the family, he is effortlessly lovable as the father who would do absolutely anything for his children.
With a performance that is just as sweet as her name, Chloe Shearer is Truly Scrumptious, daughter of sweet manufacturer Lord Scrumptious (James Bell). Although quite headstrong and determined to be independent, she slowly reveals a quite lonely but “motherly” side, which softens her character well.
Clear, confident and, above all, wonderfully cute Daisy Riddett and Caleb Pout take on the massive roles of Jemima and Jeremy Potts. From the outset they both act at a level well beyond their years and their superb singing voices, together with a palpable level of vulnerability, add depth to their characters’ youthful charm.
The Baron and Baroness Bomburst (James Bell and Melanie Adams) add a great deal of comedy to the production with his child-like tantrums only soothed by her attempts to seduce him while Steve Clarke and Matt Wentworth, as the bungling spies Boris and Goran, ramp up the comedy factor even higher.
With more than a passing nod to the character created by Robert Helpmann in the film version, Grant Martins dances and prances his way around the stage as the tremendously creepy Childcatcher. Enticing the children to leave the sanctuary of the Toymaker’s house with the promise of free sweets and treats, The Childcatcher continues to be one of the scariest child-centred villains ever created.
Although there is a full live orchestra, under the direction of Carl Greenwood, and a huge supporting company of very enthusiastic singers and dancers, who shine in numbers like “Toot Sweets” and “Me Ol’ Bamboo”, the real star of the show is, of course, the car, which is very cleverly designed, and will have you amazed. The act one finale has the audience clapping and cheering heartily as we discover that you really will believe that a car can fly.
The whole production is a sure fire hit, with children, and adults, of all ages shouting and screaming for more at the curtain call. I am sure, by the response of the opening night standing ovation, that Eastbourne audiences will love this tremendously ambitious, and thoroughly delightful, family show.
**** Four Stars