Review: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (New Wimbledon Theatre / UK Tour)

Review by Daz Gale

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A truly fantasmagorical musical flies into London this week as part of its UK tour as the new production of timeless classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang lands at New Wimbledon Theatre. With a story that has entertained (and, let’s be honest, terrified) audiences for more than 50 years now, how would this latest stage adaptation live up to the show’s legacy. Would I be saying “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, we love you” or would I think the whole thing was a bit Chitty?

Originating from Ian Fleming’s timeless childrens novel, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is most famous for the 1968 musical film which has been loved and repeatedly viewed all over the world in the decades since (particularly in my own case, as I used to watch it incessantly as a child). The story sees widowed, unsuccessful inventor Caractacus Potts build the titular magical car which can miraculously float and fly. As the car takes his family to far-off lands, an adventure ensues to stop Chitty’s magic being shared and save the children from the childcatcher.

There is something incredibly satisfying about reliving a story from your youth and experiencing it on stage for the first time. Unbelievably, I had missed all previous productions of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang but knew I couldn’t miss this one. It’s fair to say I felt like a big kid again as I watched the story come to life and the pure escapism I love about theatre take hold of me. Jeremy Sams stage adaptation takes the essence of the classic story and recreates it as faithfully as possible, while not being afraid to add new elements, never in danger of detracting from the story. With always entertaining writing, Chitty Chitty bang Bang isn’t the only thing that flies, with the pleasantly surprising inclusion of some very adult jokes flying over the childrens heads, but appealing to the big kids in the audience such as myself.

Thom Southerland’s direction takes the sense of childlike wonder and makes sure it is present in every choice, with a playful quality, never afraid to break the fourth wall and make sure everyone watching is having the time of their life. Treading close to a panto at times), it manages to create a strong blend of family friendly theatre while never feeling too childish for adults. Morgan Large’s set design gloriously showcases the fantasy world of Chitty with some inspired touches and, of course, the show-stopping centrepiece that is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang herself. Similarly, Morgan’s costume design is equally exquisite, especially when it comes to the dress sense of the Vulgarians and the now fashionably fabulous female Childcatcher.

Touring productions can prove inconsistent in how they use their space and what they are capable of including in each stop. Sadly, that was one element that impacted Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in New Wimbledon Theatre. Designed as a very big show, limitations of the size of the stage meant some of the larger, more visually exciting props were unable to be used here. While the necessity to use your imagination in certain parts felt fitting for the nature of the story, I did get the feeling this would be even more of a visual spectacular, had all of the set pieces been able to be used. That said, the main attraction is the car itself and, when it finally took flight, it certainly didn’t disappoint. Similar to THAT moment in Back To The Future, the sight of it in the air took my breath away, making me forget all of the troubles in life.

Adam Garcia leads the cast as Caractacus Potts. While he is a proven performer and I have personally been wowed by his talents in the past, most recently his stunning turn in 42nd Street last year, something didn’t quite click for me in this role on this performance at all. It may have just been a rare off-day for him, but the sparkle you would hope for in this character was lacking for me. Garcia did come alive, however, in the more active of sequences, particularly in the show stopping number ‘Me Ol’ Bamboo’ which played to his strengths perfectly and created one of the standout moments of the show.

Ellie Nunn delivers the strongest and most well-rounded performance in the iconic role of Truly Scrumptious. A truly gifted performer, she marvels and lights up the stage with every appearance, demonstrating a beautiful singing voice and warm sensitivity that has the entire audience falling in love with her as much as the Potts children do. With a revolving cast of four children each taking on the role of Jeremy and Jemima Potts, on this performance I was treated to talented young performers Ayrton English and Jasmine Nyenya delighting with their beautifully innocent portrayals.

Though her appearances are fleeting, Charlie Brooks more than makes a lasting impression as the Childcatcher. Perfectly balancing a sinister character with a camp performance, she put a new twist on the terrifying classic role, once again demonstrating what a great villain she can play (though nobody was pushed off a cliff on this occasion). Liam Fox gives a pleasingly fun performance as Granda Potts with Adam Stafford and Michael Joseph forming a hilariously comical double act as Boris and Goran. The whole cast proved striking in their own right, but Martin Callaghan and Bibi Jay were undoubted standouts as Baron and Baroness in performances that felt like the Thernardiers in Les Miserables in the most satisfying of ways. With the laughs not far away whenever they were on stage, I longed to see more of them – can we give them their own spinoff at all?

As well as the magic, it is the music that Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is known for, with Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman’s iconic songs from the movie joined by new numbers written for the musical. With ‘Hushabye Mountain’, ‘Toot Sweets’, ‘Truly Scrumptious’ and of course the title track ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ all present, the songs created nostalgic memories, all performed fantastically to add to the legacy of these songs. Musical highlights including a stunning ‘Lovely, Lonely Man’ performed by Ellie Nunn, ‘The Roses Of Success’ and a particularly rousing ‘Me Ol’ Bamboo’.

Taking a story as loved and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang isn’t an easy task, but this magical and nostalgic production didn’t just fly, it soared. Though a couple of flaws related to this particular performance and stop on the tour may have taken away from the impact slightly, a stunning cast and a show-stopping centrepiece meant this was still a glorious evening of theatre for kids and big kids alike. With a show as Toot sweet as this, it’s a joy to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang fly again. (Child)catch it while you can.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is at New Wimbledon Theatre until 26th May and continues to tour the UK until 10th May 2025. Tickets available here

Photos by Paul Coltas