Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Theatre Royal Bath - 30th September 2026 - Organised by Juliet Moore
The Theatre Royal Bath was the venue for our second visit this year, to see a production of the musical ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ performed by Bath Operatic and Dramatic Society. This was an ambitious choice of show, but that never daunts this company!
The show centres round the widowed inventor of a magical car, and his two children. There is a romance, lots of singing and dancing, and a pair of scheming comedy characters. Using so many children would have been a challenge, but it was obvious that they had been well trained and disciplined, but also having great fun. This show involves some very big pieces of scenery, and the stage is small, but apart from two ‘blips’ it all went well (not easy when a full sized, flying, old car is involved!) Praise must also go to the costume department for the volume and variety of colours and styles on stage; the whole show was visually most attractive, and songs sung well.
Besides the car, this show has three important characters who tend to ‘steal the show’- Baron and Baroness Bomburst, and Truly Scrumptious, the love interest, who has some difficult songs, and sang them well. The Baron and Baroness were played authentically, one stupid, the other avaricious, with great comic timing, and without resorting to farce. Their regal costumes and silly little crowns were a delight!
Altogether, this show was slick, well-performed and presented - another very enjoyable achievement for the company. All the performers are amateurs, but they work very hard to present to professional standards, which a full audience thoroughly appreciated!
Another theatre outing is planned for Saturday 27th February 2.30 pm, at the Theatre Royal, Bath, to see The King’s Speech. The production follows King George VI as he works with Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue to overcome the King’s stammer in the lead-up to a pivotal wartime radio broadcast. The play has just opened in London, and has received excellent reviews. The same cast will be performing when our members go to see it on tour in February.