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Post by ruthieh on Apr 8, 2024 18:14:15 GMT
Charlie a telly sounds so thrilled and excited about it…I’m tempted…but she’s not doing Oxford, so undecided to wait and see who is or book elsewhere…
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260 posts
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Post by theatrenerd on Apr 17, 2024 12:30:03 GMT
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Post by QueerTheatre on Apr 17, 2024 13:11:58 GMT
I havent seen anything Thom Sutherland has directed since his Southwark Playhouse days with Mack & Mabel and Parade etc... so I was almost wondering if this production would get a full flying car as everything ive seen him do has been scaled back & resourceful rather than BUDGET... I guess i was picturing something more akin to the recent Bedknobs & Broomsticks tour? but i guess this video proves were getting a full flying car.
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1,010 posts
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Post by David J on Apr 30, 2024 20:06:19 GMT
At the opening night
This is in good shape, Tom Sutherland came out to say they may stop if chitty gets nervous flying, but there was nothing to worry about
And yes the car is flying thank goodness. On the crane mechanism as usual. It’s range of movements is limited by the space but it’s better than just bobbing up and down like the last tour
The one noticeable thing is how economic the show is. The odd clever moment where Coggins scrap place turns into the windmill, but there’s a lot of crates moved around to constitute sets. Also couldn’t help notice the cars back wheels pivoting up and down to avoid hitting the cyclorama
Also odd that Caractacus is not singing hushabye mountain whilst putting kids to bed. Thought maybe they could afford beds but then they set Posh in the children’s bedroom so I don’t know
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1,010 posts
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Post by David J on Apr 30, 2024 22:04:53 GMT
The production uses mainly the book and songs from the original and first tours. Certainly happy to hear the Overture in full swing. I was surprised to see them use most of the original 'Grand Prix' song from the Palladium production. Did not expect to see that again.
A new thing they have done is open the second act with Chitty flying again, whilst Truly Scrumptious sings Lovely Lonely Man.
You do notice the small orchestra here, with music playing unmistakably on the keyboard.
You can tell they spent their money on the car. There's dog puppets, Grandpa's hut only goes up and down the wing, and the balloon with the hut hanging beneath is brought on a rod by a cast member. They even have cast members with models of attractions for the fun fair.
Me Ol' Bamboo was a highlight with the full ensemble in full swing. Which is good as it's not a big cast.
The best performance came from Ellie Nunn as Truly Scrumptious. Sang beautifully and was a delight to watch during 'Truly Scrumptious' and 'Doll on a Music Box'. Adam Garcia has charm as Caractacus and Liam Fox is good as Grandpa. Baron Bomburst, Boris and Goran are the usual pantomime villain and sidekicks. Jenny Gayner is enjoying herself as the Baroness.
Charlie Brooks is fine as the Childcatcher but not memorable. Her comeuppance in this version is underwhelming as well (not that I was expecting her to be whisked away in a net over the auditorium)
Overall I had minimal expectations and was pleasantly happy with this touring production. Seeing the car fly had me smiling and nostalgic for the original. Better than the last tour anyway. Just don't expect something on the scale of the original.
3.75 stars
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