The magical flying car has landed at Cardiff Bay at the Wales Millennium Centre and it’s brought a hefty dose of nostalgia and family fun with it. Based on the beloved 1968 MGM film that starred Dick Van Dyke, this stage adaptation of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang delivers all the charm, catchy tunes and fantastical adventure that parents taking their kids for the first time will remember.
Most of us grew up watching the film version on repeat, so there’s always that worry – will the stage show live up to our treasured memories? The good news is that it absolutely does, while adding its own theatrical magic, sometimes more elaborate take on the classic.
Ore Oduba takes on the role of eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts with bundles of energy and charm, and i know this might be a strange thing to say but his voice just suits anything to do with children’s narration. He’s well matched by Ellie Nunn as Truly Scrumptious, who brings both sweetness and strength to a character that could easily have felt dated. Emmerdale fans will spot Liam Fox, who is kind of recognisable, as the lovable Grandpa Potts, who adds just the right touch of heart to the family scenes with the kids.
The Sherman Brothers’ timeless songs are all present and correct – ‘Toot Sweets’, ‘Hushabye Mountain’, ‘Truly Scrumptious’ and of course the title song ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. These musical numbers had the audience singing along (because let’s be honest, who doesn’t know all the words by now?).
What’s particularly impressive is how the show works on multiple levels. My kids were captivated by the bright colours, silly jokes and magical car, while the adults were chuckling at the cleverly written gags aimed squarely at grown-ups. There are a few moments that might make parents raise an eyebrow – particularly when Jenny Garner’s Baroness arrives on stage in some rather saucy lingerie for the Baron’s birthday – but nothing that caused too much concern.
The real scene-stealers are undoubtedly the Vulgarians. Adam Stafford as Boris and Michael Joseph as Goran are two bumbling spies hunting for the flying car, and they had the audience in stitches with their squeaky voices and camp performances. Their rendition of ‘Act English’ was one of the show’s highlights. Martin Callaghan as the Baron is absolutely brilliant, particularly coming into his own during the second half with perfect comic timing and witty audience interaction.
Special mention must go to the incredibly talented young performers. On the night we attended, Jeremy and Jemima Potts were played by Charlie Banks and Melody Carunana, who showed impressive confidence and timing. When the full children’s ensemble joined them as the sewer children of Vulgaria, they nearly brought the house down. There’s something irresistible about a chorus of children in full voice creates the magic in family shows.
One character I’d nearly forgotten about until their dramatic entrance was the Child Catcher – and goodness, what a frightening creation they’ve made for this production! With a Tim Burton-inspired gothic twist, this rendition of the infamous villain is genuinely unsettling. The character glides across the stage with unnatural movements, sporting a twisted smile and wielding some kind of horn. The costume and makeup design strike the perfect balance – scary enough to create genuine tension but not so terrifying that it would cause lasting nightmares for my two young kids.
The staging on this show is nothing to write home about. The sets shift smoothly between the Potts’ windmill home, Scrumptious’ sweet factory, and the sinister castle in Vulgaria. But of course, the real technical marvel is Chitty herself. The famous car not only looks the part but actually flies across the stage in a genuinely impressive bit of theatrical magic. How the actors manage to stay in their seats while the car tilts still has me scratching my head – perhaps it really is one of Caractacus Potts’ clever inventions!
What’s refreshing is that this feels like a proper family show that isn’t just for Christmas. Taking the kids to the theatre in springtime during half term isn’t as easy as christmas, but it feels right for this adventure, making it perfect timing for an Easter holiday treat.
Overall, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang delivers exactly what it promises – a fun, nostalgic and magical experience that will have you humming the songs all the way home. The production runs at Wales Millennium Centre from 15-19 April 2025, and based on the audience reaction on opening night, tickets won’t hang around for long.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is at Wales Millennium Centre from 15-19 April 2025. Tickets available at: wmc.org.uk
