THEATRE REVIEW : CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG JR
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As 2019 starts closing out and coming to an end, the performing arts are in full swing and a visit to the theatre is a wonderful way to end the year. We were recently invited to the opening of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr at the Peoples Theatre and as one of my favourite childhood movies, I was really excited to see how the dynamic team of Jill Gerard and Keith Smith would once again adapt the movie for the stage.
“Peoples Theatre presents for the first time ever this fantastic musical adventure which features the most unforgettable score by the Sherman brothers. This is a feel good, heart-warming family musical which is an absolute delight to direct, as it takes the audience back to their childhood while enchanting the next generation.” – Jill Girard
What an incredible performance by the cast. We were transformed 50 years back in time! Nostalgia washed over us as we were reintroduced to the famous characters and songs that made the 1968 movie the tenth most popular movie at the US box office in 1969! The old favourites were there in splendid character and period costume, from Caractacus Potts, Baron Bomburst and his wife Baronness Bomburst, the scary and wicked Child Catcher, the Potts children and obviously the hero of the story, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! The show is entertaining for all ages, engaging and what we find is key, interactive with the young audience. It’s a show the whole family will enjoy.
The Peoples Theatre has done an amazing job at creating acting opportunities for local actors and developing local acting talent and whilst we have come to love and appreciate the talents of Roberto Querio (one of the spies & the Child Catcher), Raymond Skinner (Boris the spy & the Toy Maker), Joelle Rochecouste (the Baroness & Violet & Secretary), Luciano Zuppa (Grandfather & Sid), there are exciting other talents to enjoy in the form of Matthew Otto (Baron & Mr Coggins) who was a laugh and a half as the Baron, Caroline Borole (Truly Scrumptious) truly embodied her character as she did when she recently wowed audiences on stage as Tina in “Tina – Simply The Best” and Monde Sibisi as the irrepressible Caractacus Potts, father to Jeremy and Jemima.
The children that are exposed to the theatre are a delight to watch and its time that drama was offered as a school subject at all pre-primary and primary schools in South Africa!
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang runs until the 22nd of December at the Peoples Theatre at the Joburg Theatre Complex .
Performance times are:
Mondays to Friday at 9 am and 11 am,
Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays at 10:30 am and 2.30 pm
Ticket:
R140 for the general public
R100 for members of the Peoples Theatre kids Club (You can become a member for an R120 membership fee – contact Peoples Theatre on 011 403 1563/ 2340 for more information).
To book tickets call Sean or Beth on 011 403 1563 / 2340 or email the theatre at info@peoplestheatre.co.za.
** Special school performances are available at R80 per learner plus for every 20 learners there is one complimentary ticket per educator – extra educators R80 each and all other accompanying adults are R100 each.
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DISCLAIMER: WE RECEIVED TICKETS TO THE PERFORMANCE OF CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG JR. I WAS NOT REQUIRED TO WRITE A POSITIVE REVIEW. THE OPINIONS I HAVE EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN.
