Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman
Music Adapted for the Stage by Jeremy Sams | Based on the MGM Motion Picture; Licensed Script adapted by Ray Roderick.
Directed by Thom Southerland.
The King's Theatre, Glasgow | 27 August 2024 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The new UK tour production of much-loved classic story Chitty Chitty Bang Bang features not just a first-rate cast, unforgettable songs and a whole heap of heartwarming nostalgia, but it has the most impressive, high-tech, magical flying car to ever grace a touring theatre show!
When eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts (Adam Garcia) restores a broken-down old racing car for his children Jemima (Gracie Cochrane) and Jeremy (Roshan Thomson), they discover that it has magical powers! Together with delectable Truly Scrumptious (Ellie Nunn), the family embark on a fantastical adventure to far off lands...
Based on Ian Fleming’s timeless book, and the later 1968 film, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has been described as "James Bond for children". With incompetent spies, maniacal villains, an aspirational car and a farfetched story-line, all the familiar Bond elements are certainly present in this stage adaptation. But Chitty boasts something Bond doesn't: a stunning musical score from Academy Award-winning songwriters The Sherman Brothers.
'Toot Sweets', 'Truly Scrumptious', 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and the stunning 'Hushabye Mountain' are all played with gusto by the excellent live orchestra led by Jessica Viner. Live music adds so much to a theatre show and here, with the score being synonymous with the story (for me anyway) the music is central to its success. I was delighted to find a full overture played at the start of the show - something we don't often hear these days - and it felt like a nod to times gone by and as well as a welcome reminder of the musical treats about to come.
This new production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang does suffer, much like the film, from a slow start. The background to the story must be told; it's unavoidable that there is some build up to reach the payoff of excitement and adventure later on. But it does feel like it takes a while for the star - the car - to appear on stage. When Chitty did eventually make her first appearance the roar that went up from the Glasgow King's Theatre audience was glorious. Yes we cheered for a hunk of wood and metal! But so special is Chitty to so many, it's what she deserves.
There really isn't much set in this production and the stage does feel bare and muted at times. Simple wooden boxes are used to represent many of the locations at the start of the show and it lacks the fantastical colours and notes of interest you may expect from previous productions. Thank goodness for Ben Cracknell's superb lighting. Cracknell's lighting brings the stage alive when it needs it most - he simply never misses.
Things start to take a turn for the brighter when the family visit the Scrumptious sweet factory. Colourful costumes, bright lights and twirling dancers fill the stage and the children in the audience sat up a little higher in their seats. From then on it's a non-stop journey through the funfair, battles with the baddies and off to Vulgaria where more colourful, crazed characters await.
It could be argued that Act II is better than Act I in this show - it's certainly more vibrant and varied - but the sheer spectacle of Chitty displaying her secret powers at the end of Act I cannot be topped. This flying car needs to be seen to be believed. It's one of the best pieces of technical theatre magic I've ever seen. But don't leave at the interval - there's so much more fun to come.
The cast are excellent. Olivier-nominee Adam Garcia stars as Caractacus Potts and he gets to show off his glorious dancing skills in numbers such as 'Me Ol' Bamboo' and 'Doll on a music box' He's the perfect choice to portray lovable Caractacus Potts; the epitome of a dashing leading man. Ellie Nunn makes for a spirited Truly Scrumptious with the most beautiful, clear singing voice too. The character of Truly has been pleasingly updated for this production and is no longer the helpless heroine in need of rescue. Hurrah!
A highlight from beginning to end, bumbling spies Boris (Adam Stafford) and Goran (Michael Joseph) are superb. Their physical comedy was a real hit with the kids (and adults) in the audience. The Baron and Baroness of Vulgaria, Martin Callaghan and Jenny Gayner also bring the laughs with their over the top shenanigans, garish costumes and chu-chi faces. Emmerdale star Liam Fox has two of the best songs in the score (POSH and 'The Roses of Success') and whole load of fun with his character.
In Glasgow, local favourite Elaine C. Smith joins the cast as The Childcatcher. Elaine does a great job with the iconic character, although she looks far too good and is not at all menacing. Gone too are the creepy voice and the rolling caged carriage from the film... But perhaps these are conscious choices not to terrorise small children who may be on their first outing to a live theatre show. The character does still manage to elicit plenty of boos from the enthusiastic crowd which Elaine soaks up with good-natured glee.
Children are of course outlawed in Vulgaria, but they feature heavily in this story and cast. The Potts children, Jemima and Jeremy, are barely off the stage. These are huge, complex roles for young actors to contend with, and Gracie Cochrane and Roshan Thomson delivered note-perfect, frankly astonishing performances. The banished children of Vulgaria are played in Glasgow by young performers from Stellar Performing Arts. You'd never believe that this was their debut show - polished and precise, they looked every bit a part of the permanent cast. With a large, all-singing, all-dancing professional company showcasing Karen Bruce's playful choreography, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is brimming with fabulous human talent alongside the spectacular automobile.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is that rare multi-generational theatre treat that will delight the whole family. It's a slick production with a strong cast, genuinely funny jokes, great songs and an exciting (if bonkers) storyline. Your little ones will believe that the car can fly... hell, I believe that the car can fly! 70 years since she was first introduced in a novel, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang remains a national treasure.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang plays at The King's Theatre Glasgow from Tues 27 August until Sunday 8th September 2024 and then continues on tour across the UK. Jump to tour listings & ticket deals
⚠️ Age guidance: 5+. Under 3s will not be admitted. Under 16s must be supervised by an adult (18+) at all times
⌚ Running time: 2 hours 40 minutes inc. Interval
🚨Please note this show may have earlier start times than what you're used to: i.e. 7pm instead of 7.30pm; 2pm instead of 2.30pm - please check your tickets carefully!
📸 production photos: Paul Coltas
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang UK Tour Cast and Creatives
Adam Garcia Caractacus Potts
Liam Fox Grandpa Potts
Ellie Nunn Truly Scrumptious
Elaine C Smith The Childcatcher
Gracie Cochrane Jemima Potts* Glasgow 27 August
Roshan Thomson Jeremy Potts* Glasgow 27 August
Martin Callaghan Baron
Jenny Gayner Baroness
Adam Stafford Boris
Michael Joseph Goran
John MacAulay The Toymaker
Also in the cast are Hadrian Delacey, Charlie Bishop, Ruaraidh Blackwood, Belle Kizzy Green, Tia Gyngell, Kirsty Ingram, Bibi Jay, Isabella Mason, Joe Press, Molly Rees Howe, Theo UK Rose, Callum train, Luke Woollaston.
*The roles of Jeremy and Jemima Potts are shared by Gracie Cochrane, Ayrton English, Isla Ithier, Isabella Manning, Charlie McGuire, Jasmine Nyenya, Roshan Thomson and Louis Wilkins.
The children for Glasgow were provided by Stellar Performing Arts.
Director Thom Southerland
Musical Director Jessica Viner
Choreographer Karen Bruce
Set and Costume design Morgan Large
Lighting design Ben Cracknell
Sound design Gareth Tucker
Musical Supervision George Dyer
Casting Debbie O’Brien
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tickets
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Glasgow King's Theatre
27 August - 8 September 2024 | atg.com/Glasgow
On the ATG SUMMER SAVER deal Chitty Chitty Bang Bang bands A & B, Tues - Thur tickets are available for Glasgow for £35!
It's also worth checking the ATG SUMMER SAVER for UK WIDE theatre ticket DEALS for over 70 shows in 22 venues. Remember the summer saver ends on 31st August so book any deal tickets by then.
What's on Glasgow Theatre 2024
➡️ What else is coming up at Glasgow King's Theatre: Highlights include Come From Away, 101 Dalmatians, Bat Out of Hell and Tina!
➡️ What's coming up at The Theatre Royal, Glasgow: Burlesque, Only fools and Horses the musical, Disney's Aladdin, SIX, War Horse and Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake!
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang review, The King's Theatre Glasgow, August 2024. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang UK Tour 2024 / 25.
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🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Neither the venue nor show has a say in what I write. I'm completely independent and invites have no impact on my analysis or star ratings.
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