A NEW production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is coming to Theatre Royal Plymouth from Wednesday, June 15 to Saturday June 19.

Matt Gillett, who previously played Bob Crewe in the UK and Ireland Tour of Jersey Boys and appeared in Top Hat in London’s West End, will join Lee Mead (Casualty, Legally Blonde, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) as Caractacus Potts, Carrie Hope Fletcher (Les Misérables, War of the Worlds) as Truly Scrumptious, Shaun Williamson (The Railway Children, EastEnders) as Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst, Michelle Collins (EastEnders, Coronation Street) as Baroness Bomburst, and Andy Hockley (The Phantom Of The Opera) as Grandpa Potts.

Ewen Cummins plays The Toymaker/Mr Coggins, with Sam Harrison as Boris and Scott Paige as Goran.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman, who were also responsible for Mary Poppins, The Slipper and the Rose, The Aristocats and The Jungle Book.

The Sherman Brothers have won two Academy Awards with a further nine nominations, two Grammy Awards and they have received 21 gold and platinum albums.

The film made from Ian Fleming’s classic story has been adapted for the stage by Jeremy Sams, based on the MGM motion picture licensed script adapted by Ray Roderick.

This new production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be directed by West Yorkshire Playhouse artistic director James Brining, with new choreography by Stephen Mear and production design by Simon Higlett.

James Brining said, ‘Directing such an iconic show is a great opportunity, a thrilling challenge for any director. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a brilliant adventure story, filled with classic songs and scenes that hold so many memories for so many people. I cannot wait to bring the show to audiences across the UK and Ireland.’

The new production will have sensational sets and stunning special effects and, of course, the memorable score which includes such standards as Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain and the Oscar-nominated title song Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.