Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a movie and musical I never watched growing up, but that doesn’t mean I’m unfamiliar with the Sherman Brothers’ roster of classic songs or the impact on multiple generations a’la Mary Poppins. With the musical version premiering in 2002 starring the likes of Michael Ball, Richard O’Brien and Emma Williams, Chitty has managed to fly across to Broadway and several UK tours, including a brand new UK tour that opened a month ago in Southampton. Making its way to WImbledon, did I find this to be a truly scrumptious production?

I was gifted a ticket in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Cast

Caractacus Potts: Adam Garcia
Truly Scrumptious: Ellie Nunn
Jemima Potts: Grace Cochrane
Jeremy Potts: Roshan Thomson
Grandpa Potts: Liam Fox
The Childcatcher: Charlie Brooks
Baron: Martin Callaghan
Baroness: Bibi Jay (u/s)
Boris: Adam Stafford
Goran: Michael Joseph

Rating: ★★★★

What’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang about?

Based on Ian Fleming’s book made into the famous 1968 film starring Dick van Dyke, in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang we meet absent-minded inventor Caractacus Potts who restores a broken-down old racing car with the help of his children Jemima and Jeremy. Soon the family discover the car has magical powers, and along with the delectable Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts, they end up on a fantastical adventure to far off lands.

What are my thoughts on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

Director Thom Southerland has a knack for taking grandiose productions and scaling them down to fit touring venues, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang fits squarely into the lot. While you’re not going to get the same grandiose sets and one certain aspect of the titular car that blew audience’s minds over 20 years ago at the Palladium, this production is still an entertaining feast for all ages (and I mean ALL ages considering the adult jokes they somehow manage to get past the radar).

With an updated script by Ray Roderick, it keeps the musical’s offbeat charm as well as the Sherman Brothers’ classic tunes while moments of creativity shine from Morgan Large’s set and costumes and Karen Bruce’s high energy choreography. However, there are some shortcomings as it feels inconsistent on what to keep and scale down. Backdropped by blueprints of car engines, we’ll see ensemble members wear carnival ride costumes and use dolls and remote controlled cars one minute and bombastic pyrotechnics the next. With all that said, it makes the car’s closing act one appearance spellbinding – think of it as the grandfather of Back to the Future’s Delorean.

What’s the cast like?

Adam Garcia is reliably charismatic as madcap inventor Caracatus Potts, finding the balance between eccentricity and fatherly warmth to songs including Hushabye Mountain and You Two. Ellie Nunn brings gusto, charm and a lovely voice to Truly Scrumptious, having great chemistry with Garcia while Emmerdale actor Liam Fox brings plenty of humour as explorer Grandpa Potts. Child actors Grace Cochrane and Roshan Thomson played Jemima and Jeremy in the performance I attended, and they brought innocent sweetness while holding their own against the adult performers. The fivesome together create an oddball yet lovable tight-knit family.

Perhaps the most talked about casting will be Eastenders actress Charlie Brooks as the Childcatcher, now gender switched to a woman. While the film’s version was responsible for many a child’s nightmares, this production takes a more comedic approach to the character which can make her lose her malice. Having seen Brooks play the genuinely frightening Ursula in The Ocean at the End of the Lane, it felt like a missed opportunity.

Adam Stafford and Michael Joseph were a highlight as Vulgarian spies Boris and Goran, often leaving the audience in bouts of laughter in their attempts to steal Chitty. Speaking of Vulgaria, I must also mention Martin Callaghan and understudy Bibi Jay as the Baron and Baroness respectively, fully hamming up their villainy and making their duet Chu-Chi Face a real delight.

What are my overall thoughts?

It takes some time for this production to soar, but Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is still a fine four-fendered show for the whole family whether it’s grandparents who grew up with the film or children looking for an alternative show to be enchanted by. With a talented cast who bring new edges to these classic roles, it’s packed with entertainment that does exactly what it sets out to do for a touring show.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang runs at the New Wimbledon Theatre until May 25th.