Theatre / Reviews
Review: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Bristol Hippodrome – ‘The show that doesn’t put a foot, or wheel, or wing, wrong’
Silliness and nostalgia rule supreme in Director Thom Southerland’s touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
The classic film version and the original 2002 West End production made Ian Fleming’s 1964 story even more famous. And now it’s time for another national tour to hit Bristol.
Touring productions can sometimes suffer from lack of space, restraints on technical wizardry and less starry names in lead roles. However, when you have a legendary vehicle centre stage, there is always hope. When the eponymous car first made its appearance, there was an audible rush of emotion from the audience and from then on, the show couldn’t put a foot, or wheel, or wing, wrong.
Madcap, but until now unsuccessful, inventor Caractacus Potts is played with suitable bewildered other-worldliness by Ore Oduba, and his feet are kept on the ground by his children Jemima and Jeremy (played on press night by Isla Ithier and Charlie McGuire). They are adventurous innocents who miss their dead mother but are determined not to let the old car in Mr Coggins’ garage get put on the scrap heap.
Sweet as they are, the children are no match for Truly Scrumptious, the delicious Ellie Nunn. Ian Fleming had a genius for name invention and Truly is right up there with Pussy Galore. But it is not cats that Truly is interested in but pure goodness, and Caractacus’ heart.
The story is unashamedly anachronistic, with ancient jokes from Grandpa Potts and slightly dodgy double entendres, but it veers more towards panto than farce and is eminently child-friendly. That is more than can be said for Charlie Brooks’ childcatcher, who adds just enough menace to the role while sacrificing the sheer terror that a song called Kiddy Widdy Winkies could otherwise elicit. Reference is made in the programme for the tour’s original cast member, The Vivienne, who is sadly missed after their life was tragically cut short in January.
Adam Stafford and Michael Joseph are the scheming buffoonish Boris and Goran, spies for the kingdom of Vugaria, and try to steal the show. Their double act is a master class in slapstick, word play and genuine character study. Martin Callaghan as the very silly Baron and Jenny Gayner as his child-hating Baroness wife have lovely moments together, especially with the song Chu-Chi Face.
The famed Sherman brothers’ music continues to resonate with well-known standards Me Ol’ Bamboo and the tender Hushabye Mountain twanging heart strings throughout the auditorium.
The use of tiny props carried across the stage, daft humour, and some very twee scenes make the show in some ways predictable, but there is no mistaking the authentic warmth that it elicits. The whole theatre clapped along with abandon to the title song, in all its several reprises. So, if you have a little Jemima or Jeremy at home, or if you want to wallow in childhood memories yourself, clamber onto this old car’s footplate for a journey you won’t regret.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is at Bristol Hippodrome on April 29-May 4 at 7pm, with additional 2pm matinee shows on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (no evening show Sunday). Tickets are available at www.atgtickets.com.
All photos: Paul Coltas
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