Four-Fendered Fabulousness
There are certain movies which transcend generations, and are loved by all ages. The 1968 movie adaptation of Ian Fleming's 1964 novel is certainly one of them. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a beloved movie which first became a stage musical in 2002 at the London Palladium and has toured in various versions across the world since.
This latest touring production comes courtesy of David Ian and the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton. The colourful world of Caractacus Potts is deftly realised by designer Morgan Large with a versatile set which leaps from the rural home of Potts to the Scrumtious sweet factory to the fairground and the nation of Vulgaria. Each vista conjuring up the jollity and dark menace of the piece as required, and complimented by Ben Cracknell's superb lighting. Choreographer Karen Bruce and director Thom Sutherland make sure the large cast keep on their toes portraying a wide variety of factory workers and fairground folk, in this energetic telling. The movie's score has been extended by Richard and Robert, the Sherman Brothers. So we get all the favourites: 'Toot Sweets', 'Me Ol' Bambo', 'Hushabye Mountain', 'Truly Scrumptious', 'Chu-Chi Face' and of course that infernally catchy title song which won't leave your head the minute you hear it.
Leading the tour is former Tap Dog and all round musical theatre veteran Adam Garcia as inventor Caracatacus Potts, his gentle sway helps keep the show grounded amid all the outrageous personalities on display. He's a triple threat, and the perfect leading man for this show. At the performance we saw Hadrian Delacey stepped in to play Grandpa Potts and didn't put a step wrong all evening, his old jokes and eccentric demeanour proved a winner with the audience. So too the comedy henchmen Boris (Adam Stafford) and Goran (Michael Joseph) whose pantomime-esque antics as Vulgarian assassins were Music Hall gold. Ellie Nunn made for a very likeable Truly Scrumptious and possessed a lovely singing voice to boot. The role of the creepy Childcatcher was taken by The Vivienne, one of the winners of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and a promising acting talent, they took the role and mined it for the sinister and nightmarish presence that Robert Helpmann had established in the movie. There were plenty of boos at the curtain call, so a job well done! Martin Callaghan and Jenny Gayner as the Baron and Baroness were another comic double act, well suited as the pair flirted and preened their way through life.
The 10 piece band under the supervision of MD Jessica Viner rose to the occasion magnificently, and belted out the Sherman's score with finesse. We were certainly humming along to those melodies from childhood, and like the rest of the audience we left the theatre with a big smile.
In an era where touring productions cut corners for financial returns, it is pleasing to see a show whose values are still firmly on quality. This 2024 touring version of Chitty is the real deal, spectacular in every aspect. And then there is the car herself. The real star of the evening. She has leapt off the movie screen and manifested herself before us. But does she really fly? Buy a ticket and find out. In the words of the song: "What a happy time we'll spend!"
Rob & Ian
Tour details can be found at the OFFICIAL CHITTY ON TOUR WEBSITE
Further listening:
The original London cast album from 2002 is our recommendation. Featuring Michael Ball, Anton Rogers, a young Carrie Hope-Fletcher, Brian Blessed, Nichola McAuliffe and Richard O'Brien.