Year 6 Summer Play: ‘Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang’

On Thursday 6th July, Year 6 treated us all to a spectacular performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, an adapted version of the well-loved story, at The Musical Museum, Brentford. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tells the story of an eccentric inventor named Caractacus Potts who, with the help of his children Jeremy and Jemima, sets about restoring an old race car from a scrap heap. Soon, they discover the car has magical properties including the ability to float and take flight. However, trouble occurs when the evil Baron Bomburst desires the magic car for himself. Along with the delightful Truly Scrumptious, Caractacus and the children head to Vulgaria to rescue Grandpa Potts (who has been kidnapped by the bumbling duo, Boris and Goran) and rid the kingdom of its tyrannical, child-hating rulers. The performance followed several months of singing and dancing rehearsals with myself, Miss Taman and Mr Roy. In the week preceding the performance, we rehearsed in earnest at the Musical Museum. Once again, It was amazing to have the opportunity to use a professional stage and to have access to full lighting and sound. Miss Smith was Stage Manager and took on the huge task of managing sound cues, microphones and backdrop controls. Particular thanks to David at the Musical Museum who interpreted my lighting notes into wonderfully atmospheric settings.

The children rose to the occasion and, following an incredibly successful dress rehearsal to Year 3 to 5, performed in front of a packed audience of parents, grandparents and
family members. The performances of all the children were incredible – they sang with real joy and delivered their lines with clarity, confidence and a considerable degree of
humour. There are certainly some musical theatre performers in the making amongst this talented group of Year 6 children. Scenes which were particularly enjoyed were without doubt the big dance numbers brilliantly choreographed by Mr Roy. ‘Me Ol’ Bamboo’ brought the house down and ‘Bombie Samba’, in the words of the Baroness, took they entire audience to the ‘booming, bouncing, beaches of Brazil’. Miss Taman’s energetic singing rehearsals ensured that the children sang tunefully throughout. The show ended with the whole ensemble on stage and they were given a well-deserved standing ovation by the audience. The children enjoyed it so much – from the moment they picked up their scripts, they were singing and it was an absolute joy for me to be able to direct such a talented phantasmagorical group of pupils! Well done to everyone involved and my sincere thanks to all the staff who helped with sets, props, backstage, costume and hair and make-up.