Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
I still maintain it's not my kind of musical, but I have to admit I find the car and the backstage technology amazing.
My compliments to all staff! The music itself is fun to listen to, but I find it too childish, the only songs I really
love are "Hushabye Mountain", "Me Ol' Bamboo", "The Roses of Success" and the "Bombie Samba".
While Michael Ball was very good as Caractacus Potts last summer, I much preferred Gary Wilmot in the role. He less
obvious in his affection for the children (only because he's their father doesn't mean he has to smother them every
chance he gets), which to me made him more genuine and endearing. He was extremely funny, with lots of cute mimics
and his voice is heavenly. "Hushabye Mountain" was dreamily beautiful; it was very simply sung, no fussy emphasis,
just a soothing, low voice, perfectly underscored by the music *sighs*.
"Act English" was quite funny -- Feli told me they'd changed the lyrics, I must admit I wouldn't really have noticed.
Boris and Goran (Christopher Brand and Ian Hughes) were fantastic, but I don't particularly care for that number.
Baron and Baroness Bomburst (Victor Spinetti and Sandra Dickinson) were also wonderful; especially the latter. She
did such a brilliant caricature, down to the exaggeratedly high-pitched voice. Compliments to both cast and voice
coach, btw, the accent was stunning!
Peter Bishop (former CATS cast member ;D) played the victorious British car driver, my favourite inventor and danced
with much enthusiasm and energy in "Me Ol' Bamboo". It's a treat to see him and I would have dearly loved to see him
as Caractacus Potts once, since he's got such a lovely voice.
One other reason for going to see the show was the child-catcher. Played by well-known dancer Wayne Sleep, the original
Mr Mistoffelees (CATS, 1981), he was eerily compelling. "Kiddy Widdy-Winkies" was more a recital than a song, with
Mr Sleep's gyrations and movements around his cart being very fluid and graceful, betraying his talent as a dancer
and making him almost seductive (in a not-child-friendly way ;D).
The doggies they send on stage get lots of laughs from the audience and they're really cute, wouldn't mind taking one
of them home with me ;D. Another highlight was Grandpa Potts. I had seen Russ Abbott as Alfred Doolittle in "My Fair
Lady" last year and very much liked his performance then. His interpretation of Grandpa Potts was excellent and I
love his voice, as it's rich and strong.
Dance numbers being general favourites of mine, I did liked "Toot-Sweets", though it was a tad boring to start with.
I liked the cast rushing across the stage on those little sugar carts best of all ;D. During the "Bombie Samba" I
tried to spot two more ex-CATS, Emma Harris and Lindsay Wise, both of whom are fabulous dancers and *very* flexible ;D.
STAGE DOOR:
We didn't see Wayne Sleep at all, Lindsey and Emma passed us, but we did get to say a few words to an endlessly charming
Peter Bishop in stylish yellow and black biker helmet, short leggings and t-shirt, who signed my programme. Feli then
talked briefly to Frank Thompson (another ex-CAT). And who should he walk out with but Gillian Lynne herself? We didn't
stop her as she got into her waiting black car. She isn't as tall as I'd thought she was, but she keeps herself very
straight and is incredibly poised for a woman her age. Once a dancer, always a dancer, I suppose ;D.
Questions, comments and suggestions can be directed to me at
ferngully_at@yahoo.com.