REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG
CLIFFS PAVILION, SOUTHEND
13-16 November 2024
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG
CLIFFS PAVILION, SOUTHEND
13-16 November 2024
There is something about this production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang that just seems to capture all the magic that musical theatre can offer. With the film, unbelievably, being way over 50 years old, this 2024 stage production stays true to its origins with every song and character being respectfully faithful to the music and lyrics of Richard and Robert Sherman and the storyline based on the childrens' classic written by James Bond author, Ian Fleming for his son, Caspar.
This production also boasts a stellar cast with Adam Garcia headlining as inventor, Caractacus Potts, the widowed father of two young children who live in a windmill in rural England. We can forgive that tinge of Aussie accent every so often from Garcia, just as we forgave Dick van Dyck for that shocker of a cockney accent, because essentially they’re both so flipping talented and good in the role. Garcia's wealth of musical theatre experience certainly gives him an edge for a role like Potts and he fully delivers in a heartwarming performance.
The children, Jemima and Jeremy, spend many an hour playing on what’s left of a former Grand Prix winning racing car but find themselves with the dilemma of having to ask their father for 30 shillings to buy the car for them, rather than let it go to the nasty scrapyard owner played by The Vivienne who later goes on to play the even more evil Childcatcher later in the show, looking and sounding frighteningly fantastic.
Whilst on this mission and along the way, the children as well as Caractacus, become acquainted with Truly Scrumptious and Ellie Nunn absolutely shines as the well-to-do, trouser-wearing Scrumptious, giving a no nonsense jolly hockey sticks approach to the role yet also showing a softness with her beautiful vocals, not least in ‘Lovely, Lonely Man’.
Liam Fox (Emmerdale) looking perhaps a little too young, despite the grey hair and beard, plays the part of the slightly bonkers Grandpa Potts with gusto.
With money eventually raised to buy the car after one of his inventions is sold at the fair, Caractacus rebuilds the motorcar to its former glory and the family name her Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The fair scene and subsequently 'Me Ol' Bamboo' number is a sight to behold with some wonderfully inventive costumes and great dancing from Garcia and the cast.
The fun begins when Potts, the children and Truly take a trip to the seaside in Chitty and suddenly find themselves winging their way to Vulgaria to save a mistakenly kidnapped Grandfather.
For those who maybe haven’t seen the film and are being introduced to the show from a younger age, this production cannot fail to disappoint. Parts of it are almost panto like, with the two villains having been sent by the Baron and Baroness to try and capture Chitty for the Baron’s birthday, hilariously messing up their mission. Both Adam Stafford and Michael Joseph have nailed roles that could become annoying if not played right. These two have struck the perfect comedic balance here.
The other perfect pairing is that of Lara Simon and Charlie Banks as Jemima and Jeremy. What a joy they are to watch, they are simply delightful as Potts’ children.
Southend’s very own Jenny Gayner looks like she’s having way too much fun in the crazy bonkers role of the Baroness of Vulgaria, alongside an equally hilariously whacky turn from Martin Callaghan as her hubby, the Baron; and what an ‘oochie coochie’ pair they are with their playful antics edging suggestively towards a slightly risqué borderline.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a delight from beginning to end and it was interesting to observe such a diverse age range in the audience on opening night in Southend. For those of us who remember the film from our younger days, this production envelopes you in a comforting blanket of nostalgia. 'You Two', ‘Toot Sweets’, ‘Me Ol’ Bamboo’, ‘POSH’, ‘Truly Scrumptious’, ‘Doll on a Music Box’ and of course the titular song, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ are all in there and performed alongside a brilliantly energetic ensemble cast providing some wonderfully choreographed dance routines throughout from Karen Bruce.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang takes you on a wonderfully fantastical adventure with lots of fabulous songs and energetic dance routines that will have you wide eyed with awe; however, the biggest star of the show though can't fail to put a huge smile on your face as she flies over the cliffs of Beachy Head in the story, and the Cliffs Pavilion in real life (well, the stage anyway), which of course is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - and that really is a fantasmagorical delight!
Review: Kim Tobin
This production also boasts a stellar cast with Adam Garcia headlining as inventor, Caractacus Potts, the widowed father of two young children who live in a windmill in rural England. We can forgive that tinge of Aussie accent every so often from Garcia, just as we forgave Dick van Dyck for that shocker of a cockney accent, because essentially they’re both so flipping talented and good in the role. Garcia's wealth of musical theatre experience certainly gives him an edge for a role like Potts and he fully delivers in a heartwarming performance.
The children, Jemima and Jeremy, spend many an hour playing on what’s left of a former Grand Prix winning racing car but find themselves with the dilemma of having to ask their father for 30 shillings to buy the car for them, rather than let it go to the nasty scrapyard owner played by The Vivienne who later goes on to play the even more evil Childcatcher later in the show, looking and sounding frighteningly fantastic.
Whilst on this mission and along the way, the children as well as Caractacus, become acquainted with Truly Scrumptious and Ellie Nunn absolutely shines as the well-to-do, trouser-wearing Scrumptious, giving a no nonsense jolly hockey sticks approach to the role yet also showing a softness with her beautiful vocals, not least in ‘Lovely, Lonely Man’.
Liam Fox (Emmerdale) looking perhaps a little too young, despite the grey hair and beard, plays the part of the slightly bonkers Grandpa Potts with gusto.
With money eventually raised to buy the car after one of his inventions is sold at the fair, Caractacus rebuilds the motorcar to its former glory and the family name her Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The fair scene and subsequently 'Me Ol' Bamboo' number is a sight to behold with some wonderfully inventive costumes and great dancing from Garcia and the cast.
The fun begins when Potts, the children and Truly take a trip to the seaside in Chitty and suddenly find themselves winging their way to Vulgaria to save a mistakenly kidnapped Grandfather.
For those who maybe haven’t seen the film and are being introduced to the show from a younger age, this production cannot fail to disappoint. Parts of it are almost panto like, with the two villains having been sent by the Baron and Baroness to try and capture Chitty for the Baron’s birthday, hilariously messing up their mission. Both Adam Stafford and Michael Joseph have nailed roles that could become annoying if not played right. These two have struck the perfect comedic balance here.
The other perfect pairing is that of Lara Simon and Charlie Banks as Jemima and Jeremy. What a joy they are to watch, they are simply delightful as Potts’ children.
Southend’s very own Jenny Gayner looks like she’s having way too much fun in the crazy bonkers role of the Baroness of Vulgaria, alongside an equally hilariously whacky turn from Martin Callaghan as her hubby, the Baron; and what an ‘oochie coochie’ pair they are with their playful antics edging suggestively towards a slightly risqué borderline.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a delight from beginning to end and it was interesting to observe such a diverse age range in the audience on opening night in Southend. For those of us who remember the film from our younger days, this production envelopes you in a comforting blanket of nostalgia. 'You Two', ‘Toot Sweets’, ‘Me Ol’ Bamboo’, ‘POSH’, ‘Truly Scrumptious’, ‘Doll on a Music Box’ and of course the titular song, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ are all in there and performed alongside a brilliantly energetic ensemble cast providing some wonderfully choreographed dance routines throughout from Karen Bruce.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang takes you on a wonderfully fantastical adventure with lots of fabulous songs and energetic dance routines that will have you wide eyed with awe; however, the biggest star of the show though can't fail to put a huge smile on your face as she flies over the cliffs of Beachy Head in the story, and the Cliffs Pavilion in real life (well, the stage anyway), which of course is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - and that really is a fantasmagorical delight!
Review: Kim Tobin
All photos credit: Becky Lee Brun