Review – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Theatre Royal Brighton

From the moment that the familiar music starts, and the stage fills with the colourful world of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, it’s hard not to feel a little bit like a child again. Brighton Theatre Group’s lively production is packed with enthusiasm, colourful characters and enough theatrical silliness to put a smile on even the most serious face. It’s a show with a big heart, and that comes across from the very beginning. Based on the classic 1968 film, the production has everything you could want from a family musical: eccentric inventors, dastardly villains, romance, comedy, catchy songs and, of course, a magical flying car.

At the heart of the show is Caractacus Potts (Carl Lovejoy), the slightly bonkers inventor whose transformation from struggling widower to adventuring hero provides the story with its warmth. Opposite him, Truly Scrumptious (Kiarnie Camp) brings a welcome touch of elegance and heart, while the Potts children, played at this performance by Aaryan Willmott and Georgia Burns, (with Ronnie Harman and Eve Morris-Fuzi as alternates) add plenty of energy and innocence.

But it’s the larger-than-life characters who really get the audience buzzing. The villains, Boris (Dean Cowlard) and Goran (Philip Lloyd Davies), are wonderfully theatrical, with the Child Catcher (Jake Beniston) inevitably providing a deliciously sinister presence, while Baron and Baroness Bomburst (Gary Lynn and Jodie Michele) give the production some of its biggest laughs.

Musically, the familiar score is a major attraction. Numbers such as “Toot Sweets”, “Hushabye Mountain”, “Me Ol’ Bamboo” and the title song are instantly recognisable, and there’s a genuine thrill when the full company comes together. The huge ensemble deserves particular credit for throwing themselves into the big production numbers with gusto. There’s always something happening on stage, and the show rarely loses momentum.

And then there’s Chitty herself. Getting a flying car onto the stage of this historic theatre is no small challenge, but the company handle the central piece of magic with considerable skill. As we see the car float, and then fly, it’s easy to forget that this is amateur theatre. It’s a fitting reminder that, when it comes to community theatre, blowing the budget can create theatrical magic but, the enthusiasm of a willing cast can go a surprisingly long way as well.

The production does have the occasional rough edge, but frankly that’s part of its appeal. This isn’t trying to pretend it’s a West End spectacular. Instead, it has the warmth and immediacy of community theatre, with performers giving their all and an audience clearly rooting for them. What shines through most is the sheer affection for the material. Brighton Theatre Group understands that Chitty Chitty Bang Bang works best when its eccentricity is embraced wholeheartedly.

For a relaxed, feel-good evening at the theatre, this is a thoroughly enjoyable trip into childhood nostalgia. Bring the family, settle back and let Chitty whisk you away. It may not be perfect, but it’s certainly a whole lot of fun — and sometimes that’s exactly what a night at the theatre should be.

****  Four Stars