I admit I was sceptical about the staging of such an iconic movie (as a musical) by an amateur company.

After all, how could they possibly make a car fly with the entire Potts family on board? But fly the car they did…not once but twice!

However, this was only one of many special ‘technical’ achievements.

The flying ‘laboratory’ was a favourite, as was the audience response to the outcome of the spiffing haircut rendered to well-known Parkes identity, Rhyse Forrestal playing Sid.

One of the highlights of a Westcott/Townsend production is the casting of a children’s ensemble. This one certainly didn’t let me down.

How well are those kids drilled?! Team work was inspirational and a tune that I found myself singing on the way home.

The toy scene was a stroke of genius (how on earth did they get the kids to stay still for so long?) as were the three laughing clowns which intrigued many audience members alongside me.

After studying the program and finding very few in the teen ensemble that I knew, I concluded most were new – though watching them you would have thought they had been treading the proverbial boards for years.

Whilst Old Bamboo had me tapping my toes, it was Bombie Samba that really took my breath away. This was choreography at Broadway level.  

Gracie Townsend demonstrated why she won that CAT award last year, and along with Gracey Jones, they have done an outstanding job of choreographing every song to suit to the age and skill levels of characters.

Matt Prow impressed yet again in the role of Toymaker. I recall his talent in High School Musical and it would seem there is no end to this young man’s potential.

Steve McGrath playing various roles was a crowd pleaser as we found ourselves playing ‘where’s Wally’ trying to guess where he might turn up next!

He and his cohorts in Grow the Roses made for some side splitting belly laughs.

While the child-catcher in the stage production appears to have a relatively small role, Lisa Ramsay did it justice with her take on this dark character. The facial scarring added an interesting dimension.

The Baron was a breath of fresh air as a new face to a society production. He did a great job in his role as did his sidekick the Baroness played by Shannen Toole. This young lady is a star of the future and had the audience eating out of her hand during the hilarious Chu Chi face.

Greg Ballantyne put in his usual outstanding performance as Goran (the Moron) and Katrina Harris was equally entertaining as his fellow spy, Olga…or is it Oscar?

Maurice Davey’s portrayal of Grandpa was excellent; his facial expressions second to none. This was indeed one of my favourite characters of the show.

Neil Westcott took on the lead role of Caractacus Potts with just six weeks from opening and turned in a mighty fine performance as the eccentric inventor, proving his versatility in a comedic role.

Shevaun Brown was Truly Scrumptious in every way – is there any role this talented lady cannot do?

The show I attended had newcomers Beau Shearer and Anabelle Van Wyk in the roles of Jeremy and Jemima.

Well, all I can say is the Society certainly look forward to a bright future if this is the calibre of talent in their youth.

At just nine years of age with 150 per cent cute factor, these two were absolute stand outs.

On making enquiries it would seem Thomas Buesnell and Maia Hennock are also fabulous in the alternating roles so it wouldn’t matter which show you got tickets for, you are guaranteed a great performance.

Of course, the real star of the show is Chitty, and he certainly took on a life of his own, flashing his headlights and sounding his horn when the fancy took him.

Looking auspiciously like the original from the movie, Chitty proved his ability to float on water and fly over cliffs and oddly, you actually felt a connection to him as a character. I wonder if he was easy to direct?

When it comes to musicals, a show can only ever be as good as the band that carries it, and this band is exceptional – I hazard to say one of the best I have heard at the Little Theatre.

All in all, this is a quality production, from the new impressive lights to impeccable sound to a consistent back stage crew (who mostly juggles back stage with cameo roles throughout the show).

Suited to audiences of all ages, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a must see whether you are a theatre buff or just the average Joe off the street.

If you haven’t got tickets yet, you better get in quick as a show as good as this is bound to sell out fast.

Congratulations to everyone involved on an outstanding production!