Our annual Youth Theatre over the summer holidays.
Directed by Peter Flower, written by Maura Flower
For the various Production Companies over the years, including Paparoa Entertainment Party, Paparoa Drama Club, Maungaturoto Entertainment Group, Otamatea Repertory Society and Otamatea Repertory Theatre.
Outside the Coggins garage, Jeremy and Jemima Potts engage in a thrilling pretend race atop Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a weathered old racecar (“Opening”). A Junkman offers to buy Chitty from Mr. Coggins, but Jeremy and Jemima are dismayed when the Junkman explains how he plans to melt Chitty into scrap metal. Caractacus Potts, their father, is considering purchasing the car himself when Truly Scrumptious roars onstage on a motorbike, out of control due to a stuck throttle. Potts fixes her motorcycle, but Truly criticises him for not putting Jeremy and Jemima in school and insults his candy-making skills. Potts is frustrated, but Jemima and Jeremy reassure him (“You Two”).
The Potts family returns home to Grandpa. After bidding them all goodnight and reflecting on his family (“Them Three”), Grandpa absentmindedly blows into one of the holes on Potts’s “imperfect” candy, making a musical sound. Realising the candy’s potential, Potts and the children go to Lord Scrumptious’s Sweet Factory, where they realise Truly is Lord Scrumptious’s daughter. With Truly’s help, Potts pitches the musical candy to Lord Scrumptious (“Toot Sweets”).
Meanwhile, in their castle in Vulgaria, the Baron and Baroness discuss the Baron’s upcoming birthday. For his gift he requests the car that beat the Vulgarians three times in the Grand Prix – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. They call spies Boris and Goran and demand they retrieve the car. Afterward, the Baron and Baroness express their mutual affection (“Chu-Chi Face”).
At the Potts home, Jeremy and Jemima try to think of ways to raise money for Chitty, but Potts sings them to sleep (“Hushabye Mountain”). Soon after, Potts attends the lively Fun Fair (“Me Ol’ Bamboo”), where a man agrees to purchase his haircutting machine for thirty shillings – the exact amount he needs to purchase Chitty. Potts rushes off in excitement (“Me Ol’ Bamboo – Playoff”).
Potts restores the car, brings it home, and takes the kids for a ride (“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”). Truly joins them along the way (“Truly Scrumptious”), but their picnic takes a turn for the worse when Boris and Goran reveal they have abducted Grandpa (they’ve mistaken him for Potts). Chitty springs into action (“Chitty To The Rescue”).
In Vulgaria, Vulgarians gather in the town square as the Baron and Baroness announce the arrival of Grandpa, who they think is Potts (“Vulgarian Town Square”). After revealing that children are banned from Vulgaria, the Baron and Baroness hear that Chitty has been seen flying in the city. They demand that Grandpa make their car fly or face certain death (“Vulgarian Town Square – Reprise”). Meanwhile, Potts, Truly, Jeremy, and Jemima meet the Toymaker. He and Potts set off to investigate a secret way into the castle, but while they are gone, the Child Catcher steals Jeremy and Jemima away from Truly. The Toymaker leads Potts to a place where several children have been hiding from the Child Catcher. Truly catches up to them and tells Potts his children have been taken, and the Hidden Children offer to help get them back (“Teamwork”). At the castle, the Baron and Baroness indulge in the Brazilian theme of the Baron’s birthday party (“The Bombie Samba”). The Toymaker arrives with a gift – Truly and Potts, disguised as dolls. They sing to the crowd before unleashing the Hidden Children (“Doll On A Music Box”). Just when the Child Catcher is about to defeat the Hidden Children, Chitty bursts into the room with Grandpa, Jemima, and Jeremy riding along. The car gives the Hidden Children the courage to defeat the Child Catcher, and the Toymaker banishes the Baron and Baroness, repealing Vulgaria’s Suppression of Children Act. Chitty has saved the day (“Finale”)!
Jeremy Potts
Jeremy and Jemima Potts are energetic children who are always up for an adventure. They are friends and do everything together, and their greatest wish is to save Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from the junkyard. Cast two performers who work well together and are good actors and singers. It’s helpful if these performers read as younger than Potts, Truly, and Grandpa onstage.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Jemima Potts
Jeremy and Jemima Potts are energetic children who are always up for an adventure. They are friends and do everything together, and their greatest wish is to save Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from the junkyard. Cast two performers who work well together and are good actors and singers. It’s helpful if these performers read as younger than Potts, Truly, and Grandpa onstage.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Chitty
Chitty is the famous race car that beats the Vulgarians multiple times in the Grand Prix. Feel free to cast four to eight actors to create this magical car. While the car should have a distinct personality and a mind of its own, make sure the performers cast to operate the car work as an excellent team. They should be singers who are very comfortable onstage.
Gender: Any
Caractacus Potts
Caractacus Potts is Jeremy and Jemima’s father. He is an eccentric inventor who cares deeply about his children. Cast an experienced performer with a great voice who is very comfortable onstage. The role was played by Dick Van Dyke in the film version, and he’s a great example: a charming, charismatic leading man with great comic timing.
*Referred to as POTTS in the script.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: Eb4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Mr. Coggins
Mr. Coggins owns Coggins Garage and ultimately sells Chitty to Potts and the children. Cast a good actor who can portray Mr. Coggins’s humor and kindness. This role is non-singing.
Gender: Male
Junkman
The Junkman is mean and a bit scary. Cast a good actor who can lean into this character’s threatening persona. This role is non-singing.
Gender: Male
Truly Scrumptious
Truly Scrumptious is the smart, confident, adventurous daughter of Lord Scrumptious who quickly earns the Potts family’s trust. Cast a fantastic singer, actor, and dancer who pairs well with the Potts family and can command the stage.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Grandpa
Grandpa loves Jeremy, Jemima, and Potts with all his heart. Though his experience in the military drives many of his interactions, underneath all his bluster, the most important thing to Grandpa is his family. Cast a great actor and a good singer who is unafraid to make bold choices onstage.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: C4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Miss Phillips
Miss Phillips is the no-nonsense assistant to Lord Scrumptious. This is a great feature for someone who can create a strong character but might not be quite ready for a larger role. Miss Phillips does not have a singing solo, so cast a good actor with good stage presence.
Gender: Female
Lord Scrumptious
Lord Scrumptious is the all-powerful owner of the candy factory. Cast a strong, confident performer who is comfortable commanding the stage and pairs well with Truly. This role is non- singing.
Gender: Male
Baron
The Baron and Baroness are larger- than-life villains. Cast excellent performers who can act, sing, dance, and who aren’t afraid to chew the scenery a bit. The Baron and Baroness should pair together well and embody both the comically inept villain and the real threat to the Potts family.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: C#4
Vocal range bottom: D3
Baroness
The Baron and Baroness are larger- than-life villains. Cast excellent performers who can act, sing, dance, and who aren’t afraid to chew the scenery a bit. The Baron and Baroness should pair together well and embody both the comically inept villain and the real threat to the Potts family.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Boris
Boris and Goran are the worst spies ever. These comical roles play off each another throughout the entire show and have some of the funniest dialogue, so cast two hilarious performers who can really land a joke. Boris and Goran do not sing but should be good movers since they have some physical comedy.
Gender: Male
Goran
Boris and Goran are the worst spies ever. These comical roles play off each another throughout the entire show and have some of the funniest dialogue, so cast two hilarious performers who can really land a joke. Boris and Goran do not sing but should be good movers since they have some physical comedy.
Gender: Male
Morris Dancer
The Morris Dancers perform during “Me Ol’ Bamboo.” Cast good singers and great dancers who can carry the number.
Gender: Any
Fair Announcer
The Fair Announcer kicks off the Fun Fair by introducing the Morris Dancers. This is a great role for a newer performer who might not be ready to take on a large role. Make sure this actor has a big voice!
Gender: Any
Violet
Violet and Sid are great featured roles, and they are involved in a bit of stage magic during “Me Ol’ Bamboo.” Cast good actors and responsible performers who can perform the staging the same way for each performance.
Gender: Female
Sid
Violet and Sid are great featured roles, and they are involved in a bit of stage magic during “Me Ol’ Bamboo.” Cast good actors and responsible performers who can perform the staging the same way for each performance.
Gender: Male
Turkey Farmer
The Turkey Farmer has a brief scene after “Me Ol’ Bamboo.” This is a good place for an actor who can make a big impression in a short amount of time. This role is non-singing.
Gender: Any
Soldiers
Soldier 1 and Soldier 2 are the Baron and Baroness’s lackeys. These are great non- singing, featured roles for newer performers.
Gender: Any
Toymaker
The Toymaker has been secretly working to save children right under the Baron and Baroness’s noses. The Toymaker is compassionate, clever, and never gives up trying to help people. Cast a great actor and a good singer to portray the Toymaker’s kindness. The Toymaker should be a total contrast to the Child Catcher.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: A3
Vocal range bottom: C#3
Toby
Toby, Marta, and Greta are Hidden Children who help Potts plan Jeremy and Jemima’s rescue. They should be fine actors and good singers who shine onstage.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: A3
Vocal range bottom: C3
Marta
Toby, Marta, and Greta are Hidden Children who help Potts plan Jeremy and Jemima’s rescue. They should be fine actors and good singers who shine onstage.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: C4
Greta
Toby, Marta, and Greta are Hidden Children who help Potts plan Jeremy and Jemima’s rescue. They should be fine actors and good singers who shine onstage.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: D4
Chef 1
An ensemble role featured in “Toot Sweets”.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: Ab4
Vocal range bottom: G4
Chef 2
An ensemble role featured in “Toot Sweets”.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: G4
Ensemble
The ensemble for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR. is made up of a myriad of vibrant characters including Chef 1, Chef 2, Chef 3, additional Chefs, Workers, Townspeople, Dogs, Soldiers, Star Chorus, Fairgoers, Seagulls, Vulgarians, and Hidden Children. All of these characters help fill out the world of the show, so the bolder your actors’ choices the better.
Gender: Any
Child Catcher
The Child Catcher is a villain with none of the Baron and Baroness’s humor. Cast a performer who isn’t afraid to be terrifying! The Child Catcher doesn’t sing but should be a great actor.
Gender: Any