Music & Lyrics: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Stage Adaption: Jeremy Sams
Based on the guide by Ian Fleming and the MGM Motion Picture
It is a chunk of beloved nostalgia for a lot of generations of adults, however how does this stage adaptation of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang fare with an viewers of twenty first century youngsters? Well it’s a bit arduous to inform because the auditorium is packed stuffed with adults of a sure age.
There’s no denying that the storyline is all a little bit of a fever dream, and this stage model much more in order it takes components of Ian Fleming’s 1964 novel, the 1968 MGM film and the 2002 unique stage adaptation.
Less than profitable inventor Caractacus Potts (Adam Garcia), his youngsters Jemima and Jeremy, and Potts by identify, potty by nature, ex-soldier Grandpa (Liam Fox) are the glad, however down on their luck household on the centre of the story.
When Caractacus can’t move up the possibility to save lots of a once-legendary race automobile from the scrapheap, an entire world of journey opens up. Into their lives comes the wonderful Truly Scrumptious (Ellie Nunn), the daughter of the native confectionary bigwig and a number of eccentric people from the aptly named dictatorship of Vulgaria whose ruler believes Chitty has magical powers that may save his homeland (all a bit off the wall – I do know). When Grandpa is kidnapped by mistake, it falls to Chitty to save lots of the day.
There’s no approach spherical it, however that is most positively a scaled down manufacturing, the finances has clearly been spent on the magnificent flying automobile, which has probably the most expansive vary of motion any manufacturing has seen and brings the requisite magic to the titular car. The backdrops are virtually universally simplistic and huge bins are utilised to characterize virtually all areas and props. While there’s nonetheless loads of verve within the manufacturing, it does lack a bit of sparkle and magic. Save for the Bombie Samba scene which injects some a lot wanted color. The Childcatcher is now feminine, performed on this leg of the tour by Elaine C. Smith, and extra pantomime than the actually terrifying one of many film. The well-known rolling cage to entice the youngsters can be lacking.
Fans shall be delighted to know that whereas many components have been trimmed again or watered down, the music stays intact. The Sherman Brothers’ soundtrack consists of perennial favourites, Me Ol’ Bam Boo, Truly Scrumptious, The Roses of Success and the attractive Hushabye Mountain, in addition to the rousing title tune.
The forged are universally strong – led by Adam Garcia, who will get an opportunity to indicate off his dancing chops and Ellie Nunn is a pleasant Truly Scrumptious, although there’s not a lot house within the script to develop any chemistry between the pair.
Vulgarian spies Goran (Michael Joseph) and Boris (Adam Stafford) and Baron (Martin Callaghan) and Baroness (Jenny Gaynor) present the farcical comedy and the color the manufacturing wants.
There’s a top quality forged, a very bonkers story and people great Sherman Brothers songs to get pleasure from. Overall Chitty nonetheless has the facility to thrill.
Runs till 31 August 2024 | Image: Contributed
