Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, UK Tour Review (2024)
Written by Hollie for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Caution: This production contains repetitive flashing lights and visual effects, pyrotechnics, theatrical smoke and haze, replica firearms and loud sound effects.
Based on the 1968 MGM Motion Picture film adaptation starring Dick Van Dyke, this truly scrumptious family show flies into Curve’s main stage this week. Starring West End legend Adam Garcia as Caractacus Potts, Soap star Liam Fox as Grandpa Potts and The Vivienne of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame as the Childcatcher, as well as the famous motor car itself, this production has all of the perfect ingredients for an enjoyable family evening.
Jeremy and Jemima Potts are exploring the countryside whilst absent from school, when they come across the wreckage of a race car, ready for the scrap heap. On their way home they meet the delightful but worried Truly Scrumptious, played by Ellie Nunn, who proceeds to escort the children home. When they arrive home, they beg their father, inventor Caractacus Potts, to save the car and rebuild it again in his workshop.
There are many hilarious jokes and spiffing moments from the whole ensemble as the family tries to make enough money to buy the race car with their eccentric ideas and hare-brained schemes. The talent from the whole cast is amazing and everyone is incredibly energetic.
Eventually, the family are able to buy the car, and Caractacus works on it tirelessly in his workshop. Adam Garcia as Caractacus Potts is extremely talented in the role and brings his breadth of theatre experience to the show. The children, played by Roshan Thomson and Gracie Cochrane, name the car ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ after the unusual bursts and bangs that the car engine makes.
Along the way, the family meet the spies Boris, played by Adam Stafford, and Goran, played by Michael Joseph, who are two ‘Vulgarians’ on the search for the special motor car on behalf of the Baron and his crazy wife the Baroness. The two spies are perfectly cast and their rendition of the song ‘Act English’ was one of my favourite moments in the show.
You can’t help but sing along, as the cast and the live orchestra perform the famous songs by The Sherman Brothers ‘Truly Scrumptious’ ‘Hushabye Mountain’ and ‘Toot Sweets’. Each song is completely mesmerising and beautiful in their own way and credit needs to be given to director Thom Southerland and the entire creative team for their fabulous instrumental skills and for bringing energy and pace to the show.
Karen Bruce’s choreography is inventive and perfectly rehearsed. I particularly enjoyed the ensemble dancing together in their rainbow-coloured Morris Men Jackets to ‘Me Ol’ Bamboo.’ The costumes are brilliantly bright and colourful, and no expense has been spared on bringing this show to life.
The anticipation that the production builds across the first act is wonderful, and I felt like a child again as the motor car in all its glory was revealed for the first time. This show is completely magical and it had me spellbound at several different points.
As the story moves on and Grandpa Potts is captured by The Vulgarians, the family and Truly meet the toymaker who helps them and hides the children from the Childcatcher. Children are banned in Vulgaria so there are no children to be seen. The Vivienne played a fantastic Childcatcher and I would have liked to have seen more of them as I felt that an opportunity was missed there. The screeching of ‘Childrennnnn’ throughout the auditorium was incredibly delivered as the kiddie-winkies tried to get away.
Although I understand the part that they are playing, I felt that the Vulgarians were on stage too much, and at times it felt a bit pantomime, therefore I have given this production 4.5 stars even though I think it is a strong contender for Show of the Year!
The whole audience was united together in singing songs and enjoying the splendour of the production. The choreography delivered by Ellie Nunn and Adam Garcia as Truly and Caractacus when they were pretending to be the doll and the Jack in a box was charming. I have no idea how they did it!
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is not just any old car. There never was a car or show quite like it. Although this show is touring I think this production would have been a perfect contender for this year’s Christmas show at Curve. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang we love you!
I implore you to try and not sing the songs all the way home. Honestly, truly I do!
This production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang continues at Leicester’s Curve until Saturday 9th November 2024. It then proceeds to tour around the U.K. in theatres including: Blackpool’s Opera House, Sheffield Lyceum Theatre and Sunderland Empire before ending at Theatre Royal Plymouth in May 2025.
★★★★.5
