One of the world’s favourite musicals, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will have audiences of all ages flying high with its mixture of madness, intrigue and exuberance. Read more …
Can the loveable but wacky inventor, Potts, along with his two children and the gorgeous Truly Scrumptious outwit the bombastic Baron Bomburst who has decreed that all children be banished from his kingdom? What happens when the children are caught and imprisoned with the other youngsters by the evil Child Catcher? Will it all end happily-ever-after? Well, of course it will!
Starring Jason Manford (The Producers) as Caractacus Potts, Charlotte Wakefield (Oklahoma!) as Truly Scrumptious, Claire Sweeney (Hairspray) as Baroness Bomburst, Phill Jupitus (Never Mind the Buzzcocks) as Baron Bomburst.
It is the full-on ensemble scenes that count, be it the mockney morris dancing display, the Sweeney-led samba extravaganza or the music box magic that liberates an entire nation in a tale designed to unleash the collective child within.
Director James Brining, of co-producers Yorkshire Playhouse, does an excellent job in the overall framing of the show.
With heavy reliance on Simon Wainwright's boundary pushing video design, enabling Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to really hit the open road, it can't help but feel as if some of the theatrical magic is lost.
It is unfair to say that this production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is unenjoyable. However, the show as a whole lacks the energy and drive to keep its younger members entertained and to live up to the name it carries.
Cultural subtext apart, though, this new staging by former Dundee Rep boss James Brining confirms his reputation as an inspired director of musical theatre, bringing together all the elements of song, dance, drama and spectacle in a brilliantly fluent piece of theatrical storytelling.
Well-loved family film proves it's just as scrumptious on stage.
Like Chitty herself, this production is a rejuvenated classic. Save a couple of issues, it soars tremendously.
Rest assured, our “fine four-fendered friend” is still in good nick and remains as entertaining as it ever was, 50 years on from its creation.
Preview: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from Wednesday October 5, 2016, until Sunday October 16, 2016. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/festival
King's Theatre, Glasgow from Wednesday October 19, 2016, until Saturday October 29, 2016. More info: www.theambassadors.com/kings/
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