London Production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to Close on September 4

By: May. 18, 2005
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After three years, the London production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is closing. The musical's flying car will hover at the Palladium until September 4, 2005

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang concerns the efforts of eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts and his friends to foil the evil, children-hating Baron and Baroness Bomburst, who have kidnapped his amazing flying car. Adapted by Jeremy Sams from the novel by Ian Fleming and the film that followed, the musical boasts a score by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman.

Jason Donovan will be performing as Caractacus Potts when Chitty closes; Brian Conley (who leaves on June 18th) is currently playing the role which Michael Ball originated in 2002. Others in the closing cast will be Tony Adams, Christopher Biggins and Jo Gibb.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is directed by Adrien Noble with musical staging by Gillian Lynne, sets and costumes by Anthony Ward, lighting by Mark Henderson and sound design by Andrew Bruce. Noble had faced some controversy after agreeing to helm the project immediately in the wake of taking the Royal Shakespeare Company out of its London home and then resigning as its artistic director.

The dazzling, high-tech star of the show--the car--ran into some trouble earlier in the London run. Reportedly the most expensive stage prop ever built, Chitty had some engine trouble and even collided with an onstage ship at a performance attended by the Prince of Wales.

Despite Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's closing, a UK tour will go on as planned, kicking off in Sunderland this December.

The musical opened on Broadway on April 28, 2005 at the Hilton Theatre. Produced by Michael Rose, the show stars Raul Esparza as Caractacus Potts, Erin Dilly as Truly Scrumptious, Marc Kudisch and Jan Maxwell as the Baron and Baroness Bomburst, and Kevin Cahoon as the Childcatcher. Dilly, Kudisch and Maxwell have all recieved Tony nominations, as have Ward (for Best Scenic Design) and Henderson (for Lighting Design).

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