Reviews

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Bristol Hippodrome - Review

Posted on: 2017-01-26

The world’s most famous flying car has found its way to Bristol Hippodrome this week, as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang takes to the stage on the latest leg of its UK tour.

---

Based on the story by Ian Fleming (he of James Bond fame) and boasting a score by the Sherman brothers this glorious musical masterpiece has delighted audiences for decades since it was first released as a movie in 1968 and is showing here in Bristol until 4th February.

 

**GET YOUR TICKETS HERE**

 

This is the tale of the adorably unconventional Caractacus Potts, an impoverished struggling inventor and widowed father who finds himself caught up in a fabulous adventure with his two children, Jeremy and Jemima, the upper class feminist Truly Scrumptious and their magical car, Chitty. They are borne off to the strange land of Vulgaria where they have to battle to prevent Chitty being spirited away by the toy obsessed ruler, as well as struggling to overcome the evil regime that has outlawed children.

Having heard fantastic reviews about director James Brining’s take on the classic story I was expecting great things from the show and I can honestly say I was not disappointed. This is a vibrant production full of colour, technical wizardry, a delightful windmill set and high energy dance routines that leave the audience in awe.

 

Jason Manford is Caractacus, and though not an especially charismatic lead is immensely likeable as this eccentric character. He delivers a spirited, polished performance and shows off a fairly impressive singing voice, especially during the beautifully poignant lullaby, Hushabye Mountain. Family friend and love interest Truly Scrumptious is played by the delightful Charlotte Wakefield. A well-known name in the world of musical theatre, she makes the role her own and delivers a strong and confident performance.

Rounding out the heroic quartet Finn Richards and Emma Jane Shorrock as Jeremy and Jemima are an absolute delight to watch as they give confident, engaging performances and hold their own against their adult co-stars.

 

In this decidedly dark tale comic relief comes in the form of two hapless Vulgarian spies played by the genuinely funny Sam Harrison and Scott Paige as they utilise a variety of ridiculous disguises and hare-brained schemes in an effort to blend seamlessly into English life and steal the car.

Phill Jupitus and Claire Sweeney are eccentric baddies Baron and Baroness Bomburst. They are an effective duo, working well together to bring humour to the show and getting the balance between unbalanced and eccentric just right. Both are decent singers who embrace the absurdity of their roles and deliver the almost slapstick comedy with ease, though in Jupitus’ case with a slightly dodgy and not especially consistent Eastern European accent.

 

However, these aren’t the real bad guys of the piece; that honour belongs to Jos Vantyler as the deliciously creepy child catcher. Though not on stage for long, this was a chilling and truly terrifying turn which left adults and children quaking in their seats.

 

Of course despite such a strong cast, the car is indubitably the real star. This marvelous machine is a true character in its own right, soaring high above the stage and looking for all the world if it really was flying, thanks to fantastic projected images and effects effortlessly taking us from the British seaside, along country roads and sewers to the Vulgarian court. Having last seen the show in Bristol in 2007, it was amazing to see just how the technology has advanced.

 

This is a wonderful production of the classic story, with a few modern tweaks in the script making it more relevant to today’s audience but never losing any of its original charm. Fun, exuberant and jam packed with songs we all know and love this is a “fantasmagorical” evening at the theatre with our “fine four fendered friend” - one that should not be missed.

4/5

---