Lee Mead and his all-star cast put on a phantasmagorical performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the New Wimbledon Theatre last week.
The Any Dream Will Do winner put on a stellar performance as the endearing main character Caractacus Potts.
The 35-year-old’s vocals were something reminiscent of the West End and his acting was consistent throughout — where others started to tire at the end of the opening night.
HIGH-FLYER: Lee put on a five-star performance
Caractacus’ love interest, Truly Scrumptious, was played by author and singer songwriter Carrie Hope Fletcher.
Sister of McFly-heartthrob Tom Fletcher, Carrie has now made a name for herself after playing Éponine in Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre.
The 23-year-old showed off her beautiful vocals during Doll on a Music Box with some very cute dancing alongside Caractacus dressed as a clown.
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAMWORK: Caractus’ clever plan worked
The curly-haired pair had a great connection with each other and the child actors Henry Kent (Jeremy Potts) and Lucy Sherman (Jemima Potts).
YOU TWO: Carrie and Lee had a lovely connection on stage
As ever the young stars of the New Wimbledon Theatre stage won the hearts of the audience and proved their vocals are just as good as the adults — especially during You Two.
Matt Gillett put on a convincing performance of the Childcatcher — a part of the story I had forgotten — leaving children covering their eyes and cheering when he gets his comeuppance.
BOO: The Childcatcher recieved panto-like boos from the audience
Shaun Williamson and Michelle Collins added some comedy to the show as Baron and Barness Bomburst — especially during their rendition of Chu-Chi Face.
LOVEABLE VILLAINS: The couple win the crowd over at the end
The acting veterans showed off their versatility also playing Lord Scrumptious and Miss Phillips.
Credit must be given to any production that can make you have feelings for a car — because the Wimbledon audience really did love Chitty!
The fantastic orchestra built suspension throughout the theatre as Chitty raced to safety away from the ‘Vulgarians’ before leaving them gasping as the racing car magically grew buoys leaving the enemy for dust.
Enticed by the magic car, the staging left onlookers with their hearts in their mouths as later Chitty saved the Potts family and Truly as they drive off a cliff by sprouting wings and taking to the air at the end of act one.
EXCELLENT ENSEMBLE: No one let the dream team down
A massive five stars to John Stalker Productions Ltd for their representation of the 1968 movie.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is playing at News Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday July 30.
Images courtesy of Alastair Muir, with thanks
Note: The child actors in the featured image are different to those who starred on opening night
