Review: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
WE buckled up for a truly fantasmagorical adventure as the spectacular Chitty Chitty Bang Bang appeared on stage at Southampton Mayflower Theatre for the first stop on its UK Tour.
Wildly wacky to say the least, the dazzling production was fine tuned to perfection with a star-studded cast, spellbinding song-and-dance routines and enough theatrical magic to convince even the most dubious that Chitty Chitty Bang Bang really did possess the power to fly!
Based on Ian Fleming’s timeless story for children, made into film in 1968, this brand new production is directed by Thom Southerland, choreographed by Karen Bruce (BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing) and designed by Morgan Large.
In the story, devoted father and bonkers inventor Caractacus Potts (Adam Garcia) is determined to grant his young children’s wish and save a former racing car from being melted down for parts. But as Potts struggles to find a way to raise the money, the arrival of Truly Scrumptious (Ellie Nunn) swiftly leads to a whole new set of problems.
Meanwhile in Vulgaria, the wicked Baron (Martin Callaghan) and his child-hating wife (Jenny Gayner) have also set their sights of acquiring the magical racing car by dispatching Boris (Adam Stafford) and Goran (Michael Joseph) to do their dirty work. Both duos come together as fabulous double acts – with the cringeworthy love scenes between the baron and baroness played out to superb comic effect!
Jasmine Nyenya and Ayrton English were wonderful in the roles of the young Potts children Jemima and Jeremy, dancing and acting beautiful with plenty of humour and huge stage presence. Adam Garcia was also a delight as their bonkers father Caractacus, doing his utmost to provide for them with the creation of an array of brilliant and bizarre inventions, while simultaneously looking out for his mad father Grandpa Potts (Liam Fox).
Ellie Nunn was everything you could wish for as Truly Scrumptious with a superb voice which was particularly showcased in the wonderful Doll on A Music Box duo with Adam Garcia.
Charlie Brooks was suitably menacing in the sinister role of the Childcatcher – so much so that I’m quite relieved my older daughter had briefed her younger sister on what was in store!
Superb choreography ensured the wonderful ensemble had plenty of opportunities to shine with a musical score that included the favourites Me Ol’ Bamboo, You Too and Hushabye Mountain. But in a show full of high notes, it was the scenes where Chitty soared above the audience in the starry night sky that will be the enduring memory of this magnificent production.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is at Southampton Mayflower Theatre until Sunday 12th May. Tickets from £24.50. For more information and bookings visit https://www.mayflower.org.uk
