REVIEW: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang soars on a great night in Pompey

A soaring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang confirmed once again Portsmouth Theatres as show producers to be reckoned with.

The age-old tale – and how many times have we seen it before – was brought to new life by an excellent and spirited cast.

Paul Clements, returning to the role of Caractacus Potts after three years, brought fun, energy, imagination and, of course, inventiveness to the role.

Opposite him, and probably stealing the show, Stephanie Aves gave a performance which truly lived up to the Truly Scrumptious name, beautifully judged with real stage presence and a wonderful voice. Her solo on Lovely Lonely Man was probably the night’s highlight.

Tonight’s Jeremy and Jemima were Daniel Deboo and Logan Briant, and excellent they were too, confident, skilful and every bit the part.

Adding to the fun was late addition to the cast, former EastEnder Shaun Williamson as first Lord Scrumptious and then delightful as the toymaker. Lovely too that at the end of tonight’s gala performance Williamson was announced as the first patron of Portsmouth’s combined theatres. Also great to hear that a dressing room has now been named after him in recognition of his long and hugely enjoyable association with the city.

There was also great fun in the interplay between John Bettesworth as Baron Bomburst and Andee Jorden as the Baroness, their cheeky duet another of the night’s highlights.

Also adding to it all were Curtis McLennan and Ben Irish as the dodgy spy duo with their dodgy costumes and dodgy understanding of just what Englishness means. Sadly their dodgy accents rendered them far too often far too difficult to understand.

Another criticism would be the inclusion of a fairly ghastly misogynistic gesture in the first half, a gesture which surely needs to disappear before the next performance. Similarly some of the sauciness along similar lines in the second half. Again misjudged.

But all else hit the right note on a great night for Portsmouth theatres, expertly directed by Jack Edwards. Great to see the orchestra in the pit, all part of proper live musical theatre. And fabulous too that just up the road there was another happy ending, maybe even more needed, at Fratton Park!

The full cast:

Daniel Deboo - Jeremy Potts

Logan Briant - Jemima Potts

Paul Clements - Caractacus Potts

Stephanie Aves - Truly Scrumptious

Peter Colley - Grandpa Potts

John Bettesworth - Baron Bomburst

Andee Jorden - Baroness Bomburst

Matt Gibbins - The Child Catcher

Shaun Williamson - The Toymaker / Lord Scrumptious

Curtis McLennan - Boris

Ben Irish - Goran

Steve Reading - Mr Coggins / Turkey Farmer

John Jordan - Junkman / Sid

Alex Fentiman - Miss Philips / Ensemble

Cara Partridge - Dancer Ensemble

Charlene Murray - Dancer Ensemble

Ellie Thomas - Dancer Ensemble

Fenn Trodd - Dancer Ensemble

Grace Lewis - Dancer Ensemble

Mackenzie Turnball - Dancer Ensemble

Meli Lylia - Dancer Ensemble

Olivia Robinson - Dancer Ensemble

Sarah Partridge - Dancer Ensemble

William Sait - Male Ensemble

Jack Smith - Male Ensemble

Georgina Volkers - Female Ensemble

Jessica Hancock -Female Ensemble