[Kids & Family/Musical Theatre ~ SA]

Norwood Concert Hall, Sat 4 Mar, 2023.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a mammoth undertaking by Theatre Bugs and Adelaide Theatre Academy; it’s clear that there has been an enormous amount of work gone into props and costumes for this performance. The Norwood Concert Hall is well equipped with sound and lighting systems and the people behind the scenes did a good job of making it all happen and including the soundtrack in the background.

With regular theatre classes happening regularly all over Adelaide, Theatre Bugs and Adelaide Theatre Academy provide a wonderful environment in which children and youth can not only learn theatre basics but get to strut on the big stage. From younger and relatively inexperienced chorus line children to the headline stars – there were lots of positives and clearly children were giving their all in this performance.

As for the main parts – there is some amazingly talented youth and children doing theatre in Adelaide! The heroes in the show, the Potts family, and the heroine Truly Scrumptious (particularly Ethan Joy as Caractacus and Amber Fibrosi as Truly) didn’t put a foot (or a note) wrong in performing their characters. There are also several villains in the piece, and they were likewise well cast and fabulous in their execution. How the Baroness (Vasileai Markou) could deliver such clear notes, yet, to script, completely loose the key and notes was a comic delight. And the Baron (James Pearce) and his quirks was expertly delivered. Both James and his teachers and the Director (Georgia Brass) have done a great job in preparation! As for the spies and their thick Vulgarian accents – Boris (Emma Palumbo) and Goran (Jenna Saint) did a sterling job. Others also took smaller roles and delivered.

The whole energy of the chorus line with their infectious smiles was also a highlight for me. Though the minor characters, unlike the major characters, were not equipped with microphone headsets and while they did their best, sometimes could not be clearly heard (understandably there is a budget and a limit to just how many such mics can be employed).

Here is the future of musical theatre and theatre in Adelaide – it’s in good hands and is a privilege to be able to get along and see it!