Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, UK Tour (2024) Review
Photo by Paul Coltas.Written by Penny for Theatre and Tonic.
Disclaimer: Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review. All views are my own.
Based on a 1964 children’s novel by James Bond creator Ian Fleming, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was adapted for screen in 1968, and over the years it has become a firm favourite. A stage version was inevitable, and the iconic car arrived at the London Palladium in 2002. This new production is the fourth UK tour, running until May 2025.
The book for the stage version is written by Jeremy Sams with music and lyrics by Richard and Robert Sherman, who wrote the music for the film and added some new numbers for the stage adaptation.
The story focuses on the Potts family. A widowed father, the eccentric inventor Caractacus, buys a wreck of a race car to please his children Jeremy and Jemima and uses his skills to turn it into a “fantasmagorical machine”. Accompanied by the aptly named Truly Scrumptious, a picnic at the beach becomes a big adventure, taking Chitty to the kingdom of Vulgaria, where our heroes come up against the Baron and Baroness, whose spies have been trying to track down Chitty for their cruel rulers, whose hatred of children has sent them all underground to hide.
Recreating Chitty’s crazy and colourful world is a challenge for a stage production, particularly for a touring one, and set and costume designer Morgan Large has risen to this well by dressing the fairly bare stage with good use of furniture and props to recreate the eccentric Potts house, and a range of colourful costumes that help to bring the various locations to life. Lighting from Ben Cracknell adds to the air of magic and gives depth to the staging.
This is quite a long show. With Vulgarian spies, an adventurous grandpa telling tall tales, mishaps in a sweet factory and at a colourful fairground, a flying shed, a Baron’s castle, a toymaker’s workshop and, of course, that magical car, it does feel at times as if there is so much going on that there is no room for any real character development. The additional songs don’t add much to the production, and while a song and dance number in the second act showcases the vocal and comedic talents of the Baroness, played at this performance by a delightfully OTT Bibi Jay, it feels like it’s only there to cover a costume change and isn’t strictly necessary.
The original film’s songs are faithfully reproduced on stage. “Me Ol’ Bamboo” gives leading man Adam Garcia a chance to show off his dancing prowess in a big ensemble number that’s good fun but doesn’t quite blow me away. The highlight is when Potts and Truly team up to perform the charming “Doll on a Music Box”, a thoroughly entertaining section that is utterly true to the film, less frenetic than the rest of the show and all the more impactful for it. There isn’t a lot for the ensemble to do but when they do have a chance to sing, the sound is fantastic.
Director Thom Southerland has dialled the comedy up to eleven, with spies Boris and Goran, played by Adam Stafford and Michael Joseph, providing slapstick and panto-style comedy with fast-paced, high-energy performances. It’s very silly, very camp and it’s almost too fast-paced for me but the younger audience members love them.
A lot of the show’s success relies on the strength of its leading characters. As Caractacus Potts, Adam Garcia has a charismatic stage presence, strong singing and great dancing, which I felt could have been used a little more. He has a good rapport with the children but this isn’t quite so convincing in the relationship with Truly, which could well be a casualty of the show’s frantic pace as it doesn’t allow for many tender moments. Garcia could also do with letting himself relax a little more into the comedic side of the role.
Ellie Nunn plays Truly Scrumptious, she has a lot of warmth and a gorgeous singing voice that particularly shone in the opening to the second act with the beautiful and thoughtful “Lovely, lonely man”. But she was a little let down by some of the directorial choices made for her character. This version of Truly is a strong, independent woman which is refreshing to see, but she does lack the vulnerability and softness that makes the Potts children see her as such an idealistic mother figure.
This production includes a couple of “names” from TV soaps. Emmerdale’s Liam Fox was a little hesitant as Grandpa, needing perhaps a little time to settle into the role and make him the larger than life character that he should be. As a gender-swapped Childcatcher, Charlie Brooks gave us a villain that even her Eastenders’ character Janine Butcher would be wary of – full of creeping menace and evil, and making full use of the stage for the sadly limited time that she was on it – if ever a part needed to be built up, this is the one!
The roles of Jeremy and Jemima Potts are a gift for talented children and, at this performance, Roshan Thomson and Gracie Cochrane really shone. They are both very natural actors, with plenty of confidence, strong and clear singing voices and easily holding their own alongside the adult cast. All of the children on stage were impressive, performing “Teamwork” alongside Garcia with great energy and commitment.
But of course, the real star of the show, and fully deserving of the final bow (!), is the car. When Chitty takes centre stage, the show really comes alive and the big finale to the first act is, to quote the title song, “more than spectacular” and will win over the most cynical of audience members.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a show that might have a few miles on the clock, but there’s still plenty left in the tank. It’s a nostalgia trip for adults and will win over new young audiences. It’s not subtle but it’s great fun and will leave you singing about the joys of your “fine four-fendered friend” all the way home.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is at the New Wimbledon Theatre until Sunday 26th May and then will continue to tour the UK until May 2025. For more information about venues and to book tickets, visit the Chitty on Tour website.
☆ ☆ ☆
