Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Watermill REVIEW

The Watermill Theatre has done it again. Their latest production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, directed by the theatre's own Paul Hart, is a joyous, inventive and utterly magical reimagining of the beloved 1968 classic.

I've always found parts of the show's plot a little tricky to navigate, particularly the sudden swerve into Vulgaria, but somehow the Watermill makes it all feel wonderfully natural. Time and again, this theatre proves there are no limits to its creativity. Audiences have come to expect the impossible from the Watermill – large casts squeezed onto its intimate stage, actors seamlessly playing multiple instruments while remaining in character – and yet they still find ways to surprise.

Alongside the Sherman Brothers' much-loved score are a couple of new musical numbers which sit beautifully within the production. Then, just when you think you've seen everything, two-thirds of the way through the evening the audience is escorted outside into the theatre gardens and into a circus-style tent. There, we witness the delightful "Doll on a Music Box" and "Me Ol' Bamboo" sequence, along with the scene in which Caractacus Potts raises money to buy the car. In true Watermill fashion, a haircut takes place before our very eyes. Popcorn is handed out and, remarkably, I was even offered a haircut myself – an opportunity I politely declined!

The design is wonderfully imaginative, with translucent panels forming the backdrop and ingenious inventions adorning the proscenium arch. Every inch of the space is used to tell the story. And while I won't spoil exactly how it's achieved, I can confirm that a flying car does appear within the Watermill's famously dinky auditorium. It's a genuinely magical moment that did not disappoint. 

Christian Edwards is immensely charming as Caractacus Potts, bringing warmth, heart and charisma to the role. Lydia Louise possesses a beautiful voice and makes for a perfect Truly Scrumptious. The young performers are equally impressive, tackling demanding choreography alongside their singing and dialogue with confidence and skill.

The Vulgarian spies earned huge laughs and some of the biggest audience reactions of the evening, while the outstanding ensemble brings every musical number vividly to life with energy, precision and infectious enthusiasm.

This is an utterly delicious production that delights audiences of all ages. Funny, inventive, nostalgic and bursting with theatrical magic, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is another triumph for the Watermill. I defy anyone to watch it without grinning from ear to ear throughout.