The cheering and clapping started even before curtain up, at the Hull New Theatre on Tuesday evening, as the audience in the packed venue instantly reacted to the very recognisable melody being played by the in-house orchestra.
As the strains of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang rang out, the anticipation built to fever-pitch and, a few minutes after 7pm, the curtain rose on a night of rip-roaring fun.
The much-loved family favourite (an Ian Fleming story for children, later made into a film in 1968) tells the tale of an absent-minded inventor, Caractacus Potts, who, urged on by his two young children, restores an old racing car – only to discover the machine has a magical mind of its own.
Potts (Adam Garcia), a single parent to Jemima (Isla Ithier) and Jeremy (Charlie McGuire), has very little dosh, but would do anything for his children.
When the two youngsters discover their favourite car is being sold for 30 shillings, for scrap, they plead with their dad to buy and repair it.
Grandpa Potts (Liam Fox) can’t help financially and, adding to Caractacus’s woes, a local lady is questioning his parenting skills, after seeing Jemima and Jeremy running around unsupervised.
After taking his whistling sweet invention to the Scrumptious sweet factory and practically getting thrown out, up pops the complaining lady, who turns out to be Truly Scrumptious (Ellie Nunn), daughter of the factory owner.
It looks like the whistling sweets (Toot Sweets) are going to earn him big bucks, until the whistles reach the ears of all the local dogs who come a-running. So it’s back to the drawing board – but this time with Miss Scrumptious by his side.
After working his magic on the old car (the finished product is a shining, theatrical wonder), it takes the four on the most amazing adventures as it floats over the seas, eventually flying them to Vulgaria, in search of Grandpa Potts who has been abducted by two henchman of that country’s ruler Baron (Martin Callaghan), and his wife the Baroness (Jenny Gayner).
The dim-witted henchmen, Boris (Adam Stafford) and Goran (Michael Joseph), kidnap Grandpa, thinking he is the inventor.
Once in Vulgaria, a childless state thanks to the evil Childcatcher (The Vivienne), the shenanigans to rescue the old man, free Jemima and Jeremy from the Childcatcher – with the help of a Toymaker (John Macaulay) – and keep Chitty out of the spoilt Baron’s clutches, will stay with me for a long, long time.
There really aren’t enough superlatives to describe what we witnessed on Tuesday evening. The stage setting never let up and it never let us, or the production, down, culminating in the unbelievable sight of Chitty flying through the air … and I mean flying, this way and that, up and down, twirling around. How on earth?
Costumes included rags, ermine, fluorescent creations et al.
I couldn’t fault the acting, dancing, puppetry or singing by anyone on stage on the night, and songs such as Hushabye Mountain, Truly Scrumptious and, of course, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang were just some of the many highlights. All accompanied by the most amazing music from an orchestra conducted by Jessica Viner.
Comedy was plentiful, courtesy of henchman Stafford and Joseph (my fave character on the night) and the “royals” Callaghan and Gayner – both double acts that constantly had us in stitches.
And drag superstar The Vivienne, gained plenty of boos as well as cheers in their role as the evil Childcatcher.
All were simply magnificent with the youngsters, Isla Ithier and Charlie McGuire, showing a talent way beyond their years.
‘Truly scrumptious’ are the perfect words for this magnificent production which thoroughly deserved the prolonged standing ovation from a delighted audience.
Reviewer: Jackie Foottit
Reviewed: 29th October 2024
North West End UK Rating: