You’re sleek as a thoroughbred. 

Your seats are a feather bed. 

You’ll turn everybody’s head today.

Several years back I watched a professional performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Reviewed on this site) and was extremely underwhelmed by the interpretation of one of the classics from my childhood. However, after seeing Bilston Operatic Company in Peter Pan twelve months ago, I attended this one with optimism for something special, and was not disappointed.

It’s always a good benchmark when time flies through a show, and this was the case here. I didn’t think about anything else with other thoughts forgotten.

I am not going to go over the plot. If you don’t know Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, where have you been all your life? Adapted by Jeremy Sams from the 1968 film written by Roald Dahl, Ken Hughes, and Richard Maibaum, itself based on Ian Fleming’s 1964 novel, the show features both original film and new songs from musical legends, Richard and Robert Sherman.

The first thing I must highlight was the absolute quality. Bilston Operatic are the best amateur company I have seen to date. Sure, their budget must be huge; you could tell this by the fact the entire chorus were Mic’d. But they obviously reclaim costs by filling the impressive Wolverhampton Grand for seven performances with shows people (particularly families) want to see. It is unusual for amateur companies to do midweek matinees, but the house was sold out, partly due to several classes of children on trips. How lovely. An enjoyable school outing and a way to get children on mass immersed into the experience of musical theatre. Hopefully, many will have sat and thought, “I want to do that,” and join a youth theatre company as a result.

Leading the cast as Caractacus Potts was the incredibly impressive Alec White. Perfect for the role, commanding the stage and outstanding during Me Ol’ Bamboo, You Two and Hushabye Mountain. As Truly Scrumptious we had Issy Checketts, instantly at home in character and marvellous during Lonely, Lonely Man and Doll on a Music Box.

I was also overly impressed with the children playing Jeremy and Jemima (Daniel Webley and Eden Owen). Both were excellent and looked easily at home on stage, working well with the adult cast, especially in the song and dance with Grandpa Potts (Mike James) during Posh! The child actors were split into two groups for alternating performances in this production, therefore I should credit Oliver Rudge and Lara Maguire who I didn’t see but am sure were equally as good.

Supporting well in the cast were Stacey Lovatt (Baroness Bomburst) and Jon Ranwell (Baron Bomburst). Both were excellent in Chu-Chi Face and captured the spirit of the roles well. Equally so was Ally Burkett as The Toymaker and Nicholas Sullivan, The Child Catcher who adopted the familiar and best guise used by Robert Helpmann in the original movie. Two of my favourites, though, and used expertly were the Vulgarian spies: Boris (Olly Derham) and Goran (Ben Evans). These are roles expanded in the musical, full of comic relief and both worked well during Act English.

This is the second time in a few weeks Simon Pugh has been at the helm of a production that I have seen, and both have been excellent. And the direction of Tye Harris was superb with lots going on in the background and a good flow to proceedings. Equally so, from Gareth Howard, musical direction led to an all-round wave of top tunes and sound. These included Toot Sweets, Truly Scrumptious, The Roses of Success, Teamwork and of course, the title song itself. And then there was the dance. With Martyn Davies in charge, we saw energy and precision throughout, even a dance ignoramus like me taking note. Particularly in The Bombie Samba, which when I saw the professional show, was a huge bore fest. However, here I was captivated, and it was a highlight. Just goes to prove what you can do with the right people.

One of my favourite childhood films, badly let down a few years ago but now with faith restored by the wonderful Bilston Operatic Company. Peter Pan last year, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang now, and Nativity in 2024. Bilston certainly know the formula to bring in revenue to make such splendid productions.

Cheers.

Antony N Britt

* Photos blatantly taken from social media.