Grand Opera House York – until Saturday 15th April 2023
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
4****
I must that Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was a big part of every Christmas when I was younger. It was always showing on the telly, and it wasn’t Christmas without us watching it. As I got older, I watched it with my children and even though I might not catch it every year, it has great memories for me. I was looking forward to seeing the show, to see if it could live up to expectations.
The show centres around widowed Caractacus Potts, a crazy inventor of all things wacky and sometimes wonderful. Caractacus (Ned Sproston) is persuaded by his two adorable children, Jeremy (Logan Wilstrop) and Jemima (Hope Day) to rescue a forming racing car from being scrapped. On their first trip out the family name the car Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, because of its unique engine noise. They bump into the beautiful Truly Scrumptious (Carly Morton), who then joins them in their adventures. Along the way there are baddies aplenty, from Vulgaria, chasing Chitty and crew, kidnapping Grandpa Potts (Mick Liversidge).
Carly really has a beautiful voice, and she encompassed her role as Truly. Her and Ned shared a great rapport. The performances by Logan and Jemima, who share their roles with Esther De La Péna and Eady Mensah, were wonderful, with strong acting and vocal skills, a huge credit to them both.
The two Vulgarian spies, Boris (Jack Hooper) and Goran (James Robert Ball) really steal the show with their antics and were my standouts. Their comic timing was priceless and had us all in stitches, I would love to see them again, what a double act. Hot on their heels, another great comedic pairing of the Baron (Alex Papachristou) and Baroness (Jackie Cox). They were so over the top as the pampered childlike Baron and the child hating, wicked Baroness.
The production had a large supporting cast, both adults and children, who sang and acted with gusto. I must also mention Richard Barker’s gigantic, ankle breaking stilettos as the dastardly Childcatcher. Kudos to him managing to walk on them, I couldn’t help but cringe when I saw him walking with them on his feet, what a feat.
Chitty was truly wonderful and so magical. To see it flying on the stage was a sight to behold, worthy of any professional production. The wonder on the audience faces was a sight to behold. With the hair and makeup, live orchestra and professional set, York Stage do really excel in putting on such a show.
I saw this opening night and though there were a few technical and teething problems, this was just a blip. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is full of music, laughter, with some adult humour and innuendos, which went over younger heads, and occasional boos, in all the right places. A true mixture of madness, mayhem and magic.
York Stage have once again created a fabulous show that is a truly scrumptious Easter holiday treat for the whole family.