Review: CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, Kings Theatre Portsmouth

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has flown into Portsmouth and is delighting audiences this week at the Kings Theatre.

Many people are surprised to learn that Ian Fleming, the iconic creator of James Bond, also wrote a children's book which later became the hit 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, starring Dick Van Dyke, Sally Anne Howells, Benny Hill and Lionel Jefferies. The movie went on to become a stage musical opening at the world famous London Palladium in 2002 and still to this day, this musical holds the world record for the most expensive stage prop in musical theatre history.

Opening to a packed house last night (11 April), director Jack Edwards and producer Paul Woolf have pulled it out of the bag! Every moment is quite literally 'fantasmagorical' - and yes, that is a word! With a score of firm favourites including ‘Toot Sweets’, ‘Me Ol' Bamboo’, ‘Posh’, ‘Hushabye Mountain’ and ‘Truly Scrumptious’, the orchestra are note perfect and provide excellent accompaniment under the direction of Andrew Woodford. Impressive dance routines by choreographer Michelle Antrobus certainly deserve recognition as well as creative design by Alex Musgrave (lighting) and David Hart (sound).

Leading man Paul Clements plays the loveable inventor, Caractacus Potts, made famous by Dick Van Dyke in the movie and later by Michael Ball. He certainly makes the part his own and is really likable from the outset. Georgia Deloise as Truly Scrumptious is simply perfect for this role and her rendition of ‘Lovely Lonely Man’ and ‘Doll on a Music Box’ are stand out moments of the show. Peter Colley plays the cheeky Grandpa Potts with great enthusiasm and vocals, and certainly gives Lionel Jefferies a run for his money. 

John Bettesworth and Andee Jordan are quite the pairing as the Baron and Baroness and provide plenty of laughs, especially with their rendition of ‘Chu Chi Face’. Chris Ballard and Callum Tickner play comedic spies, Boris and Goran, and together are the perfect duo. Daniel Vaughan is sure to have your "Kiddy Widdy Winkies" hiding behind their seats as the menacing Childcatcher!

On opening night, we saw the blue team in action and alongside Cohen Bates as Jeremy and Jemima May Rees as Jemima, the children are simply superb and together, a tour de force.  With a pitch perfect ensemble, the entire company certainly show you that "teamwork can make a dream work!"

This production has it all - the magic, the mystery, the spectacle, the illusion, the music and most of all, the talent.

So the question we are sure you are wanting to ask, Besties....does the car actually fly? Well, book a ticket and find out for yourself! You won't be disappointed.

A truly scrumptious musical.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Ryan Bishop

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang plays at the Kings Theatre until 16 April, with further information here.