IF you’re after a bit of childhood nostalgia, then you can do little better than Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the New Theatre Oxford which is on until Sunday 6th October
It hardly needs an introduction, with the 1968 film starring Dick Van Dyke an absolute classic. But how would it translate onto the stage in 2024? After all, producing a stage musical whose central character is a flying car must have its challenges.
The production directed by Thom Southerland didn’t disappoint. From lavish costumes to pyrotechnics, flashing lights, stage smoke and sound effects, it started with a quite literal bang.
Of course the audience was familiar with the songs, and there was clapping and singing a-plenty. The story line was pretty true to the original (with a few flourishes) and music sounded even better live than I remembered it from the film.
This was an all-singing, all-dancing Wonka-esque production which felt as though every scene was given the full treatment – bursting with music, dance and theatricality from start to finish.
Adam Garcia (Wicked, Kiss Me Kate, Coyote Ugly) was meant to star in the lead role of Caractacus Potts. But on the opening night at Oxford’s New Theatre he was replaced by Callum Train, who performed the role with confidence and charisma. You would never have known he was the understudy.
The children, Jeremy and Jemima Potts, were played by Charlie McGuire and Isabella Manning who brought a heart-warming innocence to their characters. And Ellie Nunn played Truly Scrumptious, portraying a more robust, independent leading lady than the more sickly sweet version from the film.
But, of course, it was car that everyone had come to see. And it seemed no expense had been spared – polished to perfection, with flashing headlights, a gleaming chassis and its eponymous chugging sound.
I had spent quite a lot of time wondering how they would show it flying. But I hadn’t imagined it would actually lift off the stage and twirl in the air. The first half closed with an absolutely spectacular scene showing Chitty rising into the air with a star-studded backdrop as it flew through the night. There were audible gasps from the audience.
The Vivienne (Drag Race UK, Dancing on Ice, Wizard of Oz) was a suitably terrifying child catcher. So much so that my children looked petrified. Luckily, it didn’t last long and – as expected – good overcame evil and our heroes saved the day.
It’s a risk to recreate a story so entrenched in many people’s childhood memories. But in this case, I was not disappointed. This was truly a phantasmagorical show.
For more information and ticket view https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/chitty-chitty-bang-bang/new-theatre-oxford/.
New Theatre Oxford
24-26 George St, Oxford OX1 2AG, UK
Run-time: 2 hours 40 minutes incl. interval
Tue 1 Oct – Sun 6 Oct 2024
- Tue – Sat at 19:00
- Wed, Sat and Sun at 14:00
