[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Stoke-on-Trent swings open the garage doors and welcomes a brand new touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang<\/strong><\/em> to the Regent Theatre<\/strong><\/em> in Hanley this week.<\/p>\n

This large scale, big budget West Yorkshire Playhouse<\/strong><\/em> production, directed by James Brining<\/strong><\/em>, and with new choreography by Stephen Mear<\/em><\/strong> and musical supervision by Stephen Ridley<\/strong><\/em>, played to a packed house on opening night in Staffordshire, and the audience appeared to be delighted with the spectacle.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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However the performance we saw did suffer a few minor technical hitches, with one in particular causing what appeared to be a minor injury of leading man Jason Manford<\/strong><\/em> in his role as Caractacus Potts<\/em>, which led to the unfortunate upstaging of heroine ‘Truly Scrumptious’ <\/em>during her\u00a0title song, otherwise beautifully delivered by Amy Griffiths<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Technically though this is clearly not an easy show to tour, and although the actual flying ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’<\/em>\u00a0car didn’t have the wow factor that we hoped\u00a0it might, the overall production design and fluid staging from Simon Higlett,<\/strong><\/em> integrated with Simon Wainwright’s<\/em><\/strong> video mapping and projection elements, was fabulous, and we feel it worked better here than it did in the original 2002 West End version.\u00a0 Costume design also captures the early 1900s era of the piece perfectly.<\/p>\n

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WHAT’S IT ABOUT?<\/h2>\n

Based on the famous children’s story by James Bond author Ian Flemming<\/strong><\/em> and subsequent film version, this bright stage musical utilises the familiar music and songs of the Sherman Brothers<\/strong><\/em> – with\u00a0 just a few additions \u00a0 As for the story, apart from the omission of the\u00a0 ‘It was all just a dream’<\/em> ending that concludes the evergreen family flick, the rest of the stage version pretty much follows the exact same plot from the film, and manages to capture the same winning blend of fun and peril.<\/p>\n

The roles of the ‘Vulgarians’<\/em> are beefed up a bit, and in particular the ‘Vulgarian Spies’<\/em> – played Vaudeville style by Scott Paige<\/strong><\/em> as Goran<\/em> and Sam Harrison<\/strong><\/em> as Boris<\/em>, are camped up to the extreme, and for our money they totally stole the show.<\/p>\n

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WHO’S IN IT ?<\/h2>\n

Andy Hockley<\/strong><\/em> as Grandpa Potts<\/em> is also a highlight, and his appearances and numbers are a joy.<\/p>\n

Which brings us on to the star names.\u00a0 Lets just say, that although all of the star billing performances by aformentioned Jason Manford<\/strong><\/em>, alongside Phill Jupitus<\/strong><\/em> as Lord Scrumptious\/Baron Bomburst<\/em> and Michelle Collins<\/strong><\/em> as Baroness Bomburst<\/em> were all totally fine, the choreographic and\u00a0vocal demands of the piece did challenge them at times. Two of our favourite numbers – ‘Me Ole Bamboo’<\/em> and ‘Chu-Chi Face’ <\/em>were not as ‘full on’ as they could be.\u00a0 And ‘The Bombie Samba’<\/em>, which should be an Act 2 showstopper, felt\u00a0a tad awkward.<\/p>\n

That said, Martin Kemp<\/strong><\/em> as the creepy Childcatcher<\/em>, pretty much nailed it.\u00a0 Just a shame that his part is as small as it is, and the producers decided to cut his characters ‘Kiddy-Widdy-Winkies’<\/em> number, in favour of the much less interesting ‘Lovely Lonely Man’<\/em> – although I guess this song does help the narrative along.<\/p>\n

The two main youngsters in this production, although a bit shouty at times, played a blinder throughout, and pretty much faultless.\u00a0 They are joined by an equally engaging bunch of child performers for the big ‘Teamwork’<\/em> number, which is another Act 2 highlight.<\/p>\n

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SHOULD YOU SEE IT?<\/h2>\n

This is one of the Regent Theatre’s<\/em> <\/strong>main spring season bookings, and as UK musical tours go, they don’t come much bigger than this.\u00a0 So for sheer spectacle we say it’s worth securing a ticket.\u00a0 We just feel that some of the expected polish and emotion in a few of the musical numbers that are led by the star line up feel a bit lacking.<\/p>\n

FINAL WORD<\/h2>\n

We just want to make mention of how wonderful it is to hear the sound of a proper pit orchestra – it makes such a difference to the overall quality of a show like this.<\/p>\n

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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang<\/strong><\/em> races through the remainder of the Easter holidays until 9 April 2016.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1458774858440{background-color: #e8e8e8 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1458950926278{padding-right: 40px !important;padding-left: 40px !important;}”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”DATES, TIMES and BOOKING” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1458775149096{padding-top: 10px !important;}”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner css=”.vc_custom_1458775554849{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-12″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1459460369817{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

WHERE<\/h3>\n

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Regent Theatre<\/strong>
\nPiccadilly, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 1AP<\/span><\/div>\n

WHEN<\/h3>\n

Wed 31 March – Sat 9 April 2016
\nEvening performances 7:30pm
\nMatinee (Weds, Thurs, Sat) 2:30pm<\/p>\n

TICKETS<\/h3>\n

From <\/strong>\u00a323.40 – \u00a346.40<\/span>
\nPLUS<\/strong>, a \u00a33.90 booking fee per ticket AND<\/strong> \u00a32.85 transaction fee
\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-12″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

BOX OFFICE<\/h3>\n

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Tel: 0844 871 7649
\nCalls cost 7p per minute<\/em><\/div>\n

ONLINE BOOKING<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”BOOK ONLINE NOW” style=”flat” shape=”square” color=”juicy-pink” size=”lg” i_type=”openiconic” i_icon_openiconic=”vc-oi vc-oi-star” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.atgtickets.com%2Fshows%2Fchitty-chitty-bang-bang%2Fregent-theatre%2F||target:%20_blank” add_icon=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1459392029057{margin-top: -15px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1458950587230{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Note that this online booking button will take you to the theatres own secure online booking centre.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you need help please contact the venue box office on the number provided above.\u00a0 Enjoy the show.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1459461196945{background-color: #c1c1c1 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1458950926278{padding-right: 40px !important;padding-left: 40px !important;}”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”DISCOUNTS and OFFERS” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1459461038926{padding-top: 10px !important;}”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1459492277543{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Very few available. \u00a0The only ongoing options are the following:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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• Get 2% cashback by booking via QUIDCO<\/a><\/li>\n
• Students can get discounts through STUDENTBEAN<\/a><\/li>\n
• You can usually get a range of discounts by joining the ATG THEATRECARD<\/a> scheme
  \nBut it will cost you \u00a340 for the privilege (or \u00a335 by direct debit. Do\u00a0remember the date as there\u00a0is an automatic direct debit renewal each year)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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