Watermill Theatre |
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01635 46044. www.watermill.org.uk
The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury, RG20 8AE.
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Next
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 26th May to 13th September
Based on the MGM motion picture, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be directed by Paul Hart, with the Watermill’s signature storytelling, inventiveness and actor-musicianship at its heart.
This new production will feature classic songs played live by an ensemble cast, including
Truly Scrumptious, Hushabye Mountain and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Reviews of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
26th May to 13th September 2026
Review from Newbury Theatre.
★★★★★
Wow! Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will blow your socks off.
How director Paul Hart manages to squeeze onto the Watermill’s tiny stage a
car that moves over land and water and through the air is a wonder to
behold. It starts off, centre stage in a workshop, in a sorry state.
The main characters are widower Caractacus Potts (Christian Edwards) and his two young children (superbly played on the night I saw by Auora Breslin and Francis Adams – they will go far) along with Truly Scrumptious (Lydia Louise) who arrives on a motor bike which breaks down She spurns Potts’s attempts to help but eventually warms to him and the children.
The problem is that Potts wants to build the car but he doesn’t own it. Coggins (Theo Diedrick) does and wants to sell it for 30 shillings, which Potts hasn’t got. To get some money, he tries unsuccessfully to sell his invention ‘Toot Sweet’ to Lord Scrumptious (Sam Pay).
You can understand that it’s now getting a bit complicated, but there’s much more to come. After the first part in the theatre, we move to the marquee in the garden for probably the best part of the show, a hilarious few minutes at the funfair, where Potts manages to get his 30 shillings, then back to the theatre where it was a bit more subdued for the last part.
I particularly liked the singing of Lydia Louise, and of Mairi Ikegami as Baroness Bomburst who beautifully showed her disgust for her husband, a lovely OTT performance from Samuel Morgan Grahame. Also the spies from Vulgaria, trying to get the car: Boris and Goran (Sam Pay again and Alexander Zane) who were trying unsuccessfully to speak with an English accent, and during a short break for a technical problem improvising with the audience. Edwards and Louise were spot on at the centre of the action and Mark Curry as Grandpa Potts was very good with the kids in Port Out, Starboard Home, and splendidly confused in Vulgaria. Susannah Van Den Berg was suitably scary as the Childcatcher.
Special mentions should go to Set and Costume Designer Katie Lias and choreographer Anjali Mehra and of course to the actor-musicians playing a wide variety of instruments.
Paul Hart’s very enjoyable production got a deserved standing ovation from the whole theatre. This is definitely one to come and see, and find out if and how the car manages to fly.
PAUL SHAVE
Review from the Newbury Weekly News.
It's an absolute Chitty Chitty Banger
The car's a star! The Watermill has another blockbuster on its hands
I wish I had more words, there was so much to enjoy in this magical joyous show… Absolutely loved it!
The Watermill have an absolutely phantasmagorical hit with their vibrant production of Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang, based on the MGM film, with music and lyrics by Richard and Robert Sherman. This show is “Truly Scrumptious!”.
Katie Lias’ design perfectly creates the atmosphere of the Pott’s workshop filled with old vehicle parts, cogs, wheels and partly-competed inventions plus an old racing car that won the grand prix that he’s trying to restore to its former glory.
Caractacus Potts, impressively played by Christian Edwards, is a devoted father, bringing up his two children, the adorable Jemima and Jeremy delightfully played on press night by Auora Breslin and Francis Adams. The eccentric Grandpa Potts (Mark Curry) completes this family “that stick together”.
Lydia Louise is an engaging Truly Scrumptious, who eventually falls in love with Caractacus much to the children’s glee.
In Vulgaria the dastardly pompous Baron Bomburst, a deliciously comic performance by Samuel Morgan-Grahame, and his wife (Mairi Ikegami) are preparing for the Baron's birthday party. He has sent his two spies to steal the car. Boris (Sam Pay) and Goran (Alexander Zane) are hilarious as the hapless duo.
Soon we are off to the funfair as we make our way outside to a marquee in the gardens all bedecked in bunting as we enjoy the exuberant cast dance in the style of Morris dancers in an exhausting rendition of Me Ol’ Bamboo – such exciting choreography throughout by Anjali Mehra – it was all great fun.
When we return inside, the titular car Chitty is revealed. It’s a marvel of ingenuity as it floats on water, magically flies with the Potts family onboard and is totally spectacular.
Grandpa has been captured and the family set off on a mission to rescue him but children have been banned in Vulgaria and the fearful Childcatcher (Susannah van der Berg) has captured Jemima and Jeremy, but thankfully all ends happily.
The multi-talented actor/musicians were simply superb; their versatility and characterisation was a joy to watch.
Paul Hart’s inventive creative direction ignites the whole production with stardust. It’s a must see show.
ROBIN STRAPP