Locals BLOC Productions prepare to take flight

As Bristol’s amateur theatre scene goes from strength to strength, BLOC Productions celebrates its 85th birthday by presenting the phantasmagorical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Hippodrome.

Bristol boasts a tremendous non-professional theatre scene, with numerous companies in the city, a loyal following, bucketloads of local support and even its own glittering awards ceremony. And at the forefront of that landscape is BLOC Productions.

The acclaimed, award-winning company enjoys a well-deserved reputation for staging spectacular musicals, with outstanding local principal actors, a large and dynamic choral ensemble, and a full-sized live professional orchestra.

Founded in 1933, BLOC has staged annual performances at the Hippodrome since 1956. Now, following its successful productions of Sister Act, Sunset Boulevard, Fiddler on the Roof and My Fair Lady, the company returns to the theatre to celebrate its 85th anniversary with the much-loved musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from September 18-22.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is based on the much-loved 1968 MGM motion picture, written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and starring Dick Van Dyke. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, this is the first year that non-professional companies have been given the rights to perform this heart-warming, adventure-filled show.

When eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts sets about restoring an old race car with the help of his children, they discover the car has magical properties: but trouble occurs when the evil Baron desires the magic car for himself.

Filled with amazing stage spectacle, an out-of-this-world car and, of course, all the favourite songs including Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets and Me Ol’ Bam Boo, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a high-flying, fun-filled adventure.

As ever, BLOC’s cast and crew have been working day and night to ensure that the show will impress. And it’s not just BLOC that’s pulling out of the stops – the company has gained support from the wider community in Bristol.

BLOC’s chairperson Susanne Donovan has been involved with the company since responding to an advert looking for people to play nuns in their production of The Sound Of Music back in the 1970s. She says: “The non-professional theatre scene is very good in Bristol. We receive a lot of support from the community, and this year we have needed it!

“For the first time in many years, we have the enormous task of designing and constructing the entire set and the car ourselves here in Bristol. Our car is in a secret location in the city, where the final touches are currently being added. We’ve been very lucky that a local business has loaned us their warehouse for free since June.

“So all our crew, under the direction of James Hartland, have been working extraordinarily hard, giving up months of weekends and evenings to get this done. And you have to remember it’s not just the car. We have Grandpa’s house, Truly Scrumptious’ musical Box, the Child Catcher’s Cage, a giant birthday cake for the Baron… there are a lot of big, essential props for this show.

“I should also mention that a local garage – Jaguar Land Rover Bristol – has donated £1,000 towards the show, which we are hugely grateful for. Everything else has to come from ticket revenue, so we’re hoping to shift lots of tickets!”

Tickets are already, well, flying. “There are many reasons why people come to see a BLOC show,” explains Susanne. “BLOC has an excellent reputation in Bristol, and often people who come to our shows and don’t realise that we are non-professional!

“We have a loyal following, and some people come to see us year after year, whatever the show. Other people come because they like the particular show we are putting on that year, and some simply want a great night out at the theatre without having to pay the earth.

“Obviously there are differences between professional and non-professional shows. But we have a massively talented cast who are going to be putting on a fabulous show, and we even have a wonderful 16-piece orchestra under the direction of Lauren Davies.”

Companies like BLOC play an invaluable role in encouraging people to take part in amateur dramatics, whether it’s on stage or behind the scenes.

“Of course, unlike professional shows, our cast don’t get paid, but they all get enormous pleasure out of it,” enthuses Susanne. “We have a cast of around 75, including 28 children, for Chitty. And we have just as many people working backstage. It’s a tremendous thrill for us all.

“It’s wonderful to watch the children in particular – and what an opportunity for them! Where else can kids, whose parents don’t necessarily have the money to send them to expensive drama, dance or singing lessons, get the opportunity to tread the boards of the Bristol Hippodrome?

“This is often where that seed is planted, and lots of them have gone on to have careers on the stage. We have former members who have appeared in Les Mis, Mamma Mia and Wicked on the West End stage. But just watching those kids’ faces when they go on that Hippodrome stage for the first time is priceless.”

Throughout its history, BLOC’s productions have consistently won acclaim – its last show, My Fair Lady, has just been nominated for three Rose Bowl awards. Chitty… is likely to be up for numerous accolades at the prestigious local ceremony this time next year.

The Rose Bowl Awards aim to encourage excellence in amateur theatre around the south-west. The Awards, presented annually since 1963 and described as the ‘Oscars of the South West’ for the amateur stage, are open to any amateur dramatic or operatic club in Bristol and surrounding area.

“The scene is wonderful in Bristol,” says Susanne. “Bristol has a lot of non-professional theatre companies. And we even have our own Academy Awards in the Rose Bowl Awards, which are always a great affair and acknowledge everyone’s hard work, talent and dedication.”

And it is that hard work, talent and dedication that should make Chitty Chitty Bang Bang one of BLOC’s most memorable shows to date.

Susanne says: “This is going to be an amazing show with a terrific cast, wonderful sets, costumes and make-up, amazing songs and live music… the list goes on.

“It’s a must-see – and an affordable one at that!”

BLOC Productions present Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Hippodrome from September 18 to 22. To book, call 0844 871 3012 or visit www.atgtickets.com/bristol