Lyceum, Sheffield – until 1st March 2025
Reviewed by Alison Beaumont
5*****
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is based on the 1968 film of the same name. It tells the story of a widowed eccentric inventor named Caratacus Potts, and his two children Jemima and Jeremy Potts who live with their batty Grandpa Potts. While the children are playing truant from school, they meet Truly Scrumptious. The children want their father to buy an old racing car from the scrap heap which he restores only to discover it is magical and can float and fly. However, everything does not run smoothly when the evil Baran Bomburst wants the magical car for himself. Thinking Grandpa is the inventor he is kidnapped and taken to Vulgaria. Caratacus, the children and Truly head to Vulgaria in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to rescue Grandpa.
Caratacus Potts in this performance was played by Adam Garcia, he was brilliant and played the role well and connected with the children.
Grandpa Potts was played by Liam Fox who most people will know from Emmerdale and gave that battiness to Grandpa’s performance.
In this performance the child catcher was played by Callum Train. Unfortunately, Charlie Brooks will not appear in the Sheffield performances due to her Dancing on Ice commitments. Callum brought the evilness of the child catcher to life.
Truly Scrumptious (Ellie Nunn) is elegant and has good vocals. I loved “Toot Sweets” and “Doll on a Box”, which she performed to perfection.
As with all main children’s parts there are 4 boys and 4 girls playing the roles of Jemima and Jeremy. We were lucky enough to see Gracie Cochrane who had extremely good stage presence and good expressions, I’m sure Gracie will go far. Making his first professional debut as Jeremy was Roshan Tomson. Roshan played the part well and I’m sure once he has more credits under his belt he will shine.
Martin Callaghan played the Baron and Jenny Gayner as the Baroness, they were incredibly funny and all I will say is “Bottom burp”. When you watch this show you will know what I mean.
The car was absolutely incredible, transforming it into a floating car on the sea by using an inflatable underneath to the magnificent flying car which was brilliant. At one point a small remote car zoomed along the stage which was funny but when they tried to recreate the flying car with the small car it wasn’t as good.
All the costumes were good, I particularly liked the ones in The Bamba Samba scene and the fairground ones, the helter-skelter one being a favourite of mine.
There are lots of loud bangs and flashes, some of which make you jump.
Of course, the best song had to be “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”.
The show ended with a fitting tribute and dedication to The Vivienne who until their death had been playing the Child Catcher.