Review: CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, New Wimbledon Theatre - Tour

Photo credit: Paul Coltas

Ian Fleming’s 1964 children’s novel Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has become an iconic title following the wonderful 1968 musical film starring Dick Van Dyke, Lionel Jefferies and Robert Helpmann, who created lasting characterisations that have defined everything that has followed. It became an equally memorable stage musical in 2002 at the London Palladium with Michael Ball, Anton Rogers, and Richard O’Brien as the three central characters but was most memorable for the amazing stage creation of the flying car and for the capture of The Child Catcher in a net flown up into the Palladium auditorium ceiling.

Inevitably this stripped back touring version, which started at the co-producer’s home venue, Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre in April and continues until Plymouth in May 2025, has to live up to these comparisons for many, while introducing the characters to a whole new audience of children. It works because there is a freshness to Ray Roderick’s updated script, there is a creativity in Morgan Large’s touring set and of course because the car itself remains the star of the show as it flies and spins across the stage. The use of large crates manoeuvred by the cast to set scenes gives the show a fluidity that helps drive the tale and the imaginative flourishes such as the Coggins Car sign converting to a windmill or the animated false proscenium arch and flown rear bar add a sense of Potts’ creative lifestyle.

The car, curiously uncredited in the programme, is magnificent and although we can see the movement mechanism too clearly in the scenes on the road, it is wonderful to see it hover over the sea or fly through the air and for the star cloth and footlight blinders to brilliantly mask the mechanism. Stage magic like this is a delight and must surely enthral the young audience. It makes a perfect setting for the show’s best eponymous number and a delightful back drop to the charming ‘Truly Scrumptious’ song. Indeed, the quartet of young performers who each play Jeremy and Jemima, on press night in Wimbledon we saw Gracie Cochrane and Roshan Thomson, are so charming that they steal each scene from their adult counterparts. They show bags of confidence and personality and sing their songs with clarity and sweetness.

Against this competition, many of the adult cast resort to over-the-top cartoon caricatures, at times reminiscent of Wacky Races; we even expected the lovely puppet dog to bark like Muttley. Adam Stafford’s Boris and Michael Joseph’s Goran play it like The Brokers Men from pantomime and sadly drop the comic devise of disguises, which might have given more opportunity for some more subtle comedy. Martin Callaghan and Bibi Jay as the Baron and Baroness appear to be given more stage time but play it like pantomime villains breaking the fourth wall with their looks and comments but appear to be having a great time together and are fun to watch.

Charlie Brooks, as the gender changed Child Catcher, is really wasted looking more like Cruella De Vil than Helpmann’s eerie creepy villain, which is perhaps considered inappropriate in the modern day. Indeed, the simplified child catcher’s candy shop is a disappointment looking from its first (late) appearance like a prison cell. Liam Potts as Grandpa has all the mannerisms of the original and delivers his classic ‘POSH’ and ‘Roses of Success’ with charm and energy.

Adam Garcia does bring more nuance to his performance as Caractacus Potts capturing the eccentricity of the inventor, the caring doting father figure, and the uncertain lover very well. He delivers his lullaby songs, ‘You Two’ and ‘Hushabye Mountain’, with considerable charm and is wonderful as he gets into the rhythm of ‘Me ol’ Bamboo’. His relationship with Ellie Nunn’s modern Truly Scrumptious develops with authenticity and subtlety. They, together with the two children, give the show heart and joy which leaves a warm glow with the audience as they leave humming the tunes.

This is an excellent touring production and a must see for all those grandparents who remember the film and have young grandchildren ready to be introduced to the magic of live theatre. It is a perfect show to enthral any child. There are so many memorable tunes in the Sherman’s marvellous score from the sweet lullabies like ‘Hushaby Mountain’ to charming love songs like ‘Lovely, Lonely Man, comic music hall routines like ‘Chu-Chi Face’ to big well-choreographed production numbers like ‘Toot Sweets’ and ‘Me Ol Bamboo’. But most of all, there is that song and the flying car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and that is worth the ticket price alone.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Nick Wayne

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang plays at New Wimbledon Theatre until 26 May before continuing its tour. To book tickets for Wimbledon and select touring venues, please click here.