Jo Turbitt finds the new tour of the musical 'entertaining and enjoyable' but thinks a key part is lacking.
A delightful production with all the tones of a fun production: toe-tapping numbers, a talented ensemble, phantasmagorical fantasy, slithering-sly villains and loveable characters.
Stephen Mears’ genius is ever present in the dance numbers and musical staging: it’s tight, snappy and inventive, and the ensemble are entertaining to watch. The choreography plays with the hummable, toe-tapping melodies to create show-stopping moments; this, teamed with the gorgeous animated projections that compliment and support the fantastical imaginative undertones of the story, really are the grit and beating heart of the production.
Jason Manford proves on regular occasion throughout the show that he has a voice worthy of musical theatre: if you want a lesson in successfully faking a tap number, he’s your teacher! Boy does he go for it and pulls it off. Claire Sweeney and Phil Jupitus are well matched as the Baroness and Baron Bomburst, complimenting each other’s comic timing and a yin/yang of stage presence. Jos Vantyler is really creepy as the Childcatcher, but he’s missing that certain je-ne-sais-qui of Robert Helpman; the deftly footwork is there as he entices the kids into his cart, but Vantyler seems capable of so much more than he’s allowed to do.
While this touring cast of big headlining names hold their own on stage, the brilliance belonged to the double act of Boris and Goran, Sam Harrison and Scott Paige. They steal the show with their comedic timing, presence and energetic musical dance numbers, plus Harrison has the best bevel I’ve seen grace the stage!
Oh, what was that? What about the car? Well, the moment that the audience all waits for, the moment we’re all gearing up for, the moment when it flies… needs more oomph. Chitty’s wings need to take over the stage and fill the auditorium, like when Mary Poppins flies out across the audience or when Joey from War Horse grows up and you feel like you’ve witnessed true magic. I felt more inclined to work out what mechanism the car was on to make it fly. Don’t rob audiences of ‘that’ exhilarating moment.
Mears, the music, the animation and the cast all make the evening entertaining and enjoyable. The Ian Fleming, Chitty fan who accompanied me and I both left the theatre feeling uplifted and with memories of good fun show… just shame about the lead: the car.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang continues its UK tour until February 4th, 2017.
RSS