Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Norwich Theatre Royal review

Star of stage and screen Adam Garcia plays the title role of Caractacus Potts with the perfect mix of charm and chaos. 

Ellie Nunn stars opposite him as Truly Scrumptious, who is hugely likeable and in the driving seat in their blossoming relationship.

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L-R Adam Garcia (Caractacus Potts), Ayrton English (Jeremy Potts), Jasmine Nyenya (Jemima Potts) and Ellie Nunn (Truly Scrumptious) Picture: Paul Coltas (Image: Supplied by Norwich Theatre)

In the show, Caractacus' charming children, Jemimia (Jasmine Nyenya) and Jeremy (Ayrton English), plead with their dad to buy a broken-down racing car.

He raises the money to buy it by selling one of his inventions, which are intricate, smoke-billowing masterpieces.

While at the fairground, Garcia and the ensemble give a magnificent rendition of Me Ol' Bamboo, with the stage a kaleidoscope of colour.

Adam Garcia as Caractacus Potts leads the performance of Me Ol' Bamboo Picture: Paul Coltas (Image: Supplied by Norwich Theatre)

When the car, affectionately named Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, is restored in fantasmagorical fashion, the show takes flight in both senses. 

Meanwhile, the Baron (Martin Callaghan) and Baroness (Jenny Gayner) from the fantasy land of Vulgaria have sent their spies Boris (Adam Stafford) and Goran (Michael Joseph) to England to steal it.

Boris and Goran felt like a panto double act and provided many funny moments, particularly in the song Act English.

However, some bits with the Baron and Baroness distracted from the main story, including a samba routine and risqué performance of Chu-Chi Face.

Liam Fox as Grandpa Potts Picture: Paul Coltas (Image: Supplied by Norwich Theatre)

In the second act, the action moves from the English countryside to Vulgaria, after Grandpa Potts (Emmerdale's Liam Fox) is abducted as he is mistaken for his inventor son.

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Fox gave a standout performance and captured the spirit of Lionel Jeffries from the 1968 film. 

EastEnders star Charlie Brooks channelled Roald Dahl's Grand High Witch for her turn as the Childcatcher, though she felt a little underused. 

Charlie Brooks as The Childcatcher Picture: Paul Coltas (Image: Supplied by Norwich Theatre)

Eight children from the local Anglia Region Theatre School were cast for the Norwich shows as the urchins and they were fantastic. 

The musical shone when the car took centre stage and during the original songs from the film by the Sherman Brothers - from Toot Sweets to Truly Scrumptious.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang runs until September 29 at Norwich Theatre Royal and tickets are sold out.