Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chelsea Ball
20 February 2026
I headed over to Ringwood to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang this week, performed by the Poulner Players at The Ringwood Waldorf School, and it made for a really lovely evening. Chitty is, of course, an absolute classic. The songs are instantly recognisable, the characters iconic, and the storyline full of heart. The cast brought great energy and enthusiasm to the stage, and there were even a few witty double entendres that I don’t recall from previous productions I’ve seen, which definitely added some extra laughs for the grown-ups in the audience.
The story follows inventor Caractacus Potts and his family as they try to raise funds to purchase an old racing car, while the wonderfully ridiculous Vulgarians, led by Baron and Baroness Bomburst, threaten their plans. Teamwork (and a little magic) saves the day, of course.
The set design was simple but effective. The staging allowed scenes to be played in front of the curtain, meaning scene changes were covered by onstage action. For such a long musical, this really helped keep the pace moving and ensured seamless transitions, a smart choice that worked well.
Technically, there were a few areas that needed tightening. The principal microphones were largely fine, but there were noticeable issues with some of the smaller roles’ mics, which meant lines were occasionally lost, particularly towards the back of the audience. There were also moments where lighting didn’t quite catch capture everyone onstage, and characters sometimes appeared to say their lines in darker spots. There were also moments where the band overpowered the singers slightly. That said, the small orchestra, led by Matt Timmins, produced a strong and varied sound considering the size of the ensemble.
Andy Steeds and Caroline Windsor took on the leading roles of Caractacus Potts and Truly Scrumptious. Both have lovely vocal quality and handled their solos beautifully, Hushabye Mountain and Lovely, Lonely Man were particular highlights. I did feel there could have been a little more onstage chemistry between them to fully sell the romance, but individually they both rose well to the challenge of their roles.
The Potts children were shared across the different performances, and were played at this performance by Izzy Browning (Jessica) and Lillie Melbourne (Jemima). Both were immediately likeable and natural. Grandpa Potts, played by Rich Bennett also played the comedic role well, injecting some good comedy into his scenes. There was lovely connection across the family unit, including with Edison the dog, charmingly puppeteered by Lucas Buttigieg.
Steven Reynolds and Christina Budd embraced the absurdity of Baron and Baroness Bomburst with gusto, with Steven in particular leaning brilliantly into the over-the-top silliness. James Gammon and Jerry Hanson as Boris and Goran brought strong pantomime energy, and injected humour into every appearance.
And of course, the Childcatcher. Scott Douglas was deliciously creepy in the role, genuinely unsettling in all the right ways (which is exactly what you want!). Chris Meineck also gave a strong performance as the Vulgarian Toymaker.
Ensemble numbers were full of colour and enthusiasm. While harmonies weren’t always crystal clear, the dancing and visual impact carried the energy beautifully. Standout numbers for me were Toot Sweets, Me Ol’ Bamboo, The Roses of Success and the Bombie Samba.
This is classic amateur theatre; raw, heartfelt, and full of community spirit. When you settle in and enjoy it for what it is, it’s a thoroughly entertaining evening. The ticket price is also very fair compared to other local productions, which makes it even more accessible.
And of course… Chitty herself was a highlight. That magical flying car never fails to delight. If you’re looking for something to brighten up this endless rain we’re having, it’s well worth heading over to Ringwood for their final performances.
