Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review
The Watermill Theatre mounts its most fantastical production to date with an utterly magical and spellbinding production of the classic musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
 |
| Photo by Pamela Raith |
Just when you think The Watermill couldn't top its previous summer triumphs, they go and launch a vintage car right into the stratosphere. This brand-new production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang doesn’t just do justice to the iconic classic; it breathes a breathtaking, inventive new life into the story with clever, inventive staging and outstanding performances.
Paul Hart's production in these intimate surroundings of the Watermill sings in every aspect. The story of Caractacus Potts, a struggling inventor, his two children, and a chance meeting with Truly Scrumptious, the daughter of a sweet factory owner, and an old rusty motor car which contains magical powers.
The actor-musician style, which is favoured by The Watermill, makes these classic Sherman Brothers songs sound fresh and alive. You get to see the cast bring every song right in front of your eyes. Stuart Morley’s orchestrations re-imagine the classic score with a fresh, vibrant energy, masterfully weaving the instruments of the multi-talented actor-musicians directly into the fabric of the storytelling to create a sound that is both intimately rich and thrillingly cinematic. The ensemble also bring high energy to Anjali Mehra's choreography. Using the space skillfully, the group dance sequences are thrilling to watch.
Christian Edwards is an absolute revelation as the eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, infusing the role with a perfect blend of manic, wide-eyed genius and deeply tender fatherly devotion; his rendition of "Hushabye Mountain" is a beautiful, grounding highlight of the show. Matching him beat for brilliant beat, Lydia Louise is gorgeous as Truly Scrumptious, masterfully balancing a fierce, modern independence with a warm, vocal precision that makes tracks like "Truly Scrumptious" soar. Together, their onstage chemistry is electric, crackling with a playful wit and a genuine, heartwarming connection. Their growing romance is completely irresistible. Impressive are the performances of Aila McLeish as Jemima and Bodhi Allnutt as Jeremy (the roles are shared by 4 sets of children). Their boundless charm could melt the hardest of hearts. Mark Curry has a great time as Grandpa Potts and clearly relishes the part.
In the more comedic roles, Alexander Zane (Goran) and Sam Pay (Boris), as the two Vulgarian spies, have the most fun of all. Their complete silliness brings big laughs. Both actors have a great eye for delivering a line or even a glance to get a laugh. Playing with slapstick and cartoonish levels of comedy, the duo light up the stage whenever they are on.
 |
| Photo by Pamela Raith |
A dose of the production hilarity belongs to the Vulgarian royals, played to perfection by Samuel Morgan-Grahame as Baron Bomburst and Mairi Ikegami as the Baroness.
Talking of the darkest elements, Susannah van den Berg is deliciously sinister as The Child Catcher, striking the perfect, spine-chilling balance between theatrical camp and genuine menace. Her lurking presence and predatory charisma command the stage completely, transforming the iconic villain into a brilliantly captivating nightmare that leaves the audience utterly enthralled.
The puppetry by Marc Parrett ranges from various dogs to Chitty itself. The car might not have the glamour of previous stage productions, but it doesn't miss a beat on charm. Unassuming, the car unfurls itself to float and fly with clever staging tricks. Katie Lias’ set design is a masterclass in theatrical ingenuity, superbly maximising every single inch of The Watermill’s intimate auditorium to create a world that feels infinitely vast. Rather than being constrained by the stage's physical limits, Lias uses the unique architecture to her absolute advantage, crafting a fluid, multi-dimensional playground where set pieces seamlessly transform with a sense of childlike wonder. Every nook, cranny, and level is utilised to draw the audience directly into the action, making the space feel both wonderfully cosy and breathtakingly epic. It is a visually stunning triumph of imagination over scale, proving that you don't need a massive West End stage to deliver a truly spectacular, flying-car-sized spectacle.
In keeping with another of The Watermill's signature styles, the show uses the surroundings of The Watermill to full effect; there are games on the lawn and themed stalls selling ice cream and treats for the audience to immerse themselves in before the show. The show runs indoors until around 45 minutes in, and the funfair sequence, where the audience is invited outside to a marquee when the funfair is brought to life with colour and joyous interactive fun. 'Me Ol' Bamboo' is a full-out morris dance extravaganza. This transition doesn't jar or detract in the slightest; instead makes you feel more involved as an audience.
Ultimately, this sensational production is a testament to the unparalleled power of intimate, imaginative theatre, where every element, from the stellar performances to the ingenious design, conspires to create pure stage magic. It is a joyful, heart-soaring triumph that honours the nostalgia of the classic while blazing a brilliant, inventive trail of its own. The Watermill has done it again: this is a truly fantastical, high-flying masterpiece for all ages that you absolutely cannot afford to miss!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang runs at The Watermill Theatre until Sunday 13th September 2026. For tickets and further information visit https://www.watermill.org.uk/
 |
| Lydia Louise (Truly), Bodhi Allnutt (Jeremy), Aila McLeish (Jemima) and Christian Edwards (Caractacus). Photo by Pamela Raith |
Post a Comment