Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Crown Theatre Perth

Post

Subscribe

Wed 04 Sep 2013 - Sun 06 Oct 2013

Parents who worry they might be bored when they take the kids to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang can relax. This winning combination of song, dance, light-hearted stage business and fabulous sets has more than enough to entertain everyone for a delightful evening out.


Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tells the story of inventor Caractacus Potts, his two children Jeremy and Jemima and his lady-love Truly Scrumptious. With help from Grandpa Potts and others they rescue a magical car from the scrap heap. Together they foil the plans of the dastardly Vulgarians to steal the car and banish all children from their kingdom.

For children, the wonderful car is the highlight of the show. After some trials and tribulations raising the money, Caractacus Potts buys and restores an old wreck that won the 1910 British Grand Prix. His modifications give it the ability to transform into a boat before sprouting wings and propellers and flying away. (Parents will like the fact that the car performs best when the children say "please").

It's easy to see why the car is said to be the most expensive stage prop ever built. Even sceptical children will be convinced it's really flying as it swoops and turns carrying the family to safety. Yet the car is only one of many strange and unusual props – the automatic hair-cutting machine is hilarious and the windup horse is a marvel.



Roger Hodgman directs this bright and colourful production of the musical based on the book by Ian Fleming with music by the Sherman Brothers, who also wrote Mary Poppins. Adults will enjoy the clever lyrics of songs like "Toot Suite" and "Act English" and the whole family will be singing the title song for days.

The main roles of Caractacus and Truly are played by David Hobson and Rachael Beck. Hobson's operatic tenor is well-matched by the sweet yet soaring voice of Beck. They make a lovely and believable couple. Veteran Peter Carroll clearly enjoys his role as Grandpa.

Shane Bourne (who recently replaced Alan Brough) and Jennifer Vuletic provide comic relief as the overgrown spoiled brats Baron and Baroness of. Vulgaria. As the country name implies, their humour can be a little bit rude, but most of it goes over the heads of the youngsters while the adults chuckle.

The young performers are a delight. Declan Allen, Seamus Harrison and Chloe Marlow and Stephanie Shaw alternate in the roles of Jeremy and Jemima. Along with a large supporting cast playing the lost children, most under 12 years old, these talented youngsters represent the stars of the future.

Other characters also shone. Children enjoyed the bumbling antics of spies Goran and Boris (George Kapiniaris and Todd Goddard) while the adults laughed at their double-entendres. Tyler Coppin played the evil Childcatcher with just the right balance of fright and fantasy.


Fans of the 1968 movie version will notice that the musical has been slightly restructured for the stage with a special Western Australian reference added.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is on until 6 October with shows at the following times:

Wednesday 1pm & 7pm,
Thursday 7pm,
Friday 8pm,
Sataturday 2pm & 8pm,
Sunday 1pm & 6pm
Note: Some shows are sold out but at the time of writing tickets are still available from Ticketek .

#burswood
#family
#fun_for_children
#greater_perth
#music
#theatre
#september
#october
!date 04/09/2013 -- 06/10/2013
%wnperth