Cherylene Chan
After a very successful UK tour, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has swooped into Singapore for a no holds barred run. Brought in by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and David Atkins Enterprises, the show opened at Esplanade Theatre to a keen audience on Nov 2 and has extended its season here to Dec 9 from Nov 25. UrbanWire caught the visually astounding musical and proclaims it a soaring hit.
The Story Unfolds
The show begins ordinarily enough without a hint of the coming magic, as twins Jeremy and Jemima Potts playing with a battered junk car at Coggin’s Farm. The farmer delights them with the tale of the car’s history as a prized grand prix race car, and how Baron and Baroness Bomburst of Vulgaria have been itching to get their hands on it, convinced that the car is special. Unfortunately, Farmer Coggins has decided to sell the car as scrap for 40 shillings, more than the twin’s father can afford without a steady job. Saddened at the thought of losing their favourite plaything, the twins wish to buy it for themselves. As they’re about to leave, they meet the beautiful Truly Scrumptious, who offers to send them home to the Pott’s windmill.
The twins live with Caractacus Potts, their inventor father, and Grandpa Potts, a British army veteran. Wanting nothing more than to see his children happy, Caractacus sets out to earn enough to buy Chitty. However, his inventions always seem to cause chaos, such as Toot Sweet, a candy that doubles up as a whistle. Although Truly helps him arrange a meeting to sell the idea with her father, the owner of Scrumptious factory, it’s soon apparent that the toot sweet has one failing, the shrill whistling attracts dogs in packs. Mr Scrumptious chases both the dogs and Caractacus out of the factory.
Finally, a turkey farmer buys his haircut machine at a fair, not for personal grooming, but to pluck his turkeys with, which gives a triumphant Potts enough to buy Chitty and restore it to its former glory. The Potts drive to the beach for a picnic with Truly, now a close family friend. Unbeknownst to them, the Vulgarians have heard of Chitty’s return and have sent troops to kidnap the Potts, along with the car. The baddies mistakenly abduct Grandpa Potts instead. The Potts then fly off to Vulgaria to rescue Grandpa. They encounter the menacing Child-Catcher, who captures the twins, trapping them in his dungeon. Then, Caractacus and Truly team up with Vulgaria’s toymaker to free the twins and Vulgaria’s children. The next day, they storm the castle, together with all the children, and foil the Baron’s plans to steal Chitty.
Spectacular props and visuals
The splendid Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, with props costing over £3 million (S$6.36 million), is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most expensive stage props. Singapore gets the real deal as the tour uses the original car body that initially captivated audiences in the London Palladium.
Indeed, the ingenious car dazzles the audience, both young and old, as it takes a life of its own. A stickler for manners, it refuses to cooperate or start up until the Potts children say “please”. It also rescues the family from sticky situations, inflating a giant float when they’re stranded in the ocean, its headlights move from side to side, navigating the dark waters. Of course, the most magical moment, and best part of the show, no doubt, is when Chitty Chitty Bang Bang flies. As Tony Adams, who plays Grandpa Potts, described it on the backstage tour that UrbanWire was invited to, “When that car flies, it’s absolutely brilliant, like nothing you’ve ever seen before!” Delighted squeals, cheers and applause rose from the audience as it lifted into the air and glided around the stage, suspending all disbelief.
Many of the props are also fully automated, like Potts’ failed contraptions. In the carnival scene, a demonstration of the haircut machine leads to real smoke emitting from the berserk machine, leaving the disgruntled customer with a shiny bald head.
The diverse sets and backdrops are also crowd-pleasers especially for those who go weak in the knees for mechanical wizardry. From machines that chug and churn in Scrumptious Sweets to the Toymaker’s house, where walls fold out to reveal a room cluttered with half-made toys, they are a part of every child’s fantasies.
Magnificent Costumes
Designed by Anthony Ward, the 1996 Olivier Award winner for Best Costume Design for Oklahoma!, the costumes are no bargain either. They cost between US$10 million (S$14.5 million) and US$12 million ($17.4 million) to produce. Each costume is intricately designed with quality materials like real fur and leather, and some are accompanied with separate small handmade pieces like the Baron’s military medals. The diverse styles include the quirky, colourful circus performer costumes and the flamenco-inspired dance costumes with red and gold trims in the “Bombi Samba”.
Talented Cast Give Endearing Performance
The well-chosen cast filled out their roles splendidly. Kevin Kennedy is a natural as Caractacus Potts, the slightly scatter-brained yet brilliant inventor and loving father to the twins. Having played the Child Catcher during a few UK tour stops, being in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s definitely not uncovered ground for Kennedy, whose past West End roles include Amos in Chicago.
The twins, played by a different pair each night (there are 4 pairs in total), are individually as cute as a button, and are both imaginative and mischievous. The close bond between father and children touches the audience, particularly in the scene where they offer to help him raise money by selling their treasures – “a nail from Noah’s ark, a stone possibly from Stonehenge”.
Marissa Dunlop charms with her portrayal of Truly Scrumptious, the classy and warm-hearted heiress of Scrumptious Sweets. The actress, who’s also done lead roles as Serena in Fame and Sandy in Grease, delivers a delectable performance of the song, “Doll In A Music Box”.
David Henry and Louise Plowright are perfectly cast as the greedy and self-centred Baron and Baroness. The Baron’s childish whining and tantrums and the Baroness’s mollycoddling will amuse you, and at the same time fill you with the urge to smack them. Note that if you can’t stomach mushy baby talk, you might find “Chu-Chi Face”, a number brimming with pet names like “my lovey lovey dovey little teddy bear” cloyingly sweet.
But the most extraordinary performance is Richard O’Brien’s reprisal of his original role as the sinister Child Catcher, which he first played in the musical’s run in London Palladium. His sneaky, spidery movements and eerie voice, coupled with his creeping about the Vulgarian streets sniffing out children will make you shudder against your will.
Catchy selection of showtunes
What would any musical be without memorable tunes? Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is packed with 15 addictive songs to sing along to. The audience was whisked away to dreamland with Caractacus Pott’s ethereal lullaby, “Hushabye Mountain”, and bopping silently to the lively, feet-tapping “Me Ole’ Bamboo”. As the cast burst out singing “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, the musical’s theme song, for the final time, audience members clapped along and children waved excitedly as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang took to the sky once more.
Certainly, the show’s defining moment was during the curtain call. Loud jeers were heard from the audience as the Child Catcher stepped out for a final bow, while the Potts family received roaring applause and whistles.
A bewitching story that springs to life with stellar acting, ingenious sets, fabulously designed costumes and colourful songs, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will mystify both the young and old. Catch the magic for yourself at the Esplanade and we guarantee you’ll be singing, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, I love you!”
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars