Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Marie Coltman
13 March 2026
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has been adapted for stage by Ray Roderick, and is based on Ian Fleming's children's book, with a great musical score by the Sherman Brothers & the Motion Picture by MGM/United Artists.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang remains a firm favourite with everyone. Poulner Players have a great show, performed at The Waldorf School, which gives them a bigger theatre for this great show. The songs and characters are instantly recognisable. The set is simple and very effective, which makes for quick scene changes, lighting, effects and sound are good.
Directors Danielle Morris & Tom Buxton have a great cast for this show. MD Matt Timmins has a small band and keeps the music pace just right. The story starts with the Potts Children playing with an old racing car. The Potts children were shared across the different performances, and I saw Izzy Browning as Jessica and Lillie Melbourne as Jemima. Both were immediately likeable and natural. On the other shows Bertie Guy was Jeremy and Amelie Tatner was Jemima. Andy Steeds plays their father the inventor Caractacus Potts. He has a great stage presences, a nice singing voice and is believable in the role. I really liked Hushabye Mountain. He tries to raise the money to buy the old racing car. Caroline Windsor took the role of Truly Scrumptious - she too has a nice voice and I really liked her Lonely Man song. Her mother Lady Scrumptious payed by Angie Chappell owns the sweet factory where Potts trys to sell his sweets, with Truly helping to convince her to buy them. He eventually gets his money and buys the car. Grandpa Potts played by Rich Bennett is very funny in his role, he has some great comedy scenes. I really liked The Roses of Success in the castle. The family all work well together.
There are some nice moments with Edison the Dog, a puppet run by Lucas Buttigieg. Chris Meineck was great in the role of the Toymaker. The villains of the piece are the Vulgarians, firstly the spies Boris and Goran played by James Gammon and Jerry Hanson - they had lots of funny moments almost a pantomime feel, carrying out the orders of their bosses, to capture the flying car. Steven Reynolds played Baron Bomburst with over the top silliness along with Christina Budd as his Baroness. The pair work very well together, he's a big kid wanting toys and she hates children. Scott Douglas was super as the very creepy Childcatcher. He had all the right mannerisms and expressions as he stole the children.
All the ensemble numbers and cameo parts were just right. Lots of dancing and harmonies, added to the colourful production. I also liked Me Ol' Bamboo and Toot Sweets it was very clever how some of the cast moved the 'dogs' through the end of the song. Lastly Chitty was there in all her glory, the Magic Flying Car - a definite highlight. Well done to everyone involved with this super production, cast and crew all worked together to pull off something special.
