The Watermill Theatre has unveiled its complete casting and creative team for a highly anticipated summer revival of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the beloved musical based on Ian Fleming's children's story and the iconic 1968 film. The production will run from Tuesday 26 May to Sunday 13 September 2026 at the award-winning Newbury venue, with a national press night set for 4 June.
Directed by the Watermill's artistic director Paul Hart, the production will employ the theatre's signature actor-musician approach, with performers playing their own instruments alongside acting and singing. The venue is also set to transform both its theatre space and surrounding grounds for the show, continuing a tradition that has become a hallmark of its ambitious summer programming.
Who Stars in the Watermill's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?
Leading the company is Christian Edwards as the eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, the warm-hearted widower whose magical flying car takes his family on an unforgettable adventure. Alongside him, Lydia Louise will make her professional debut in the role of Truly Scrumptious, the beautiful daughter of a sweet factory owner who joins the Potts family on their journey.
Mark Curry takes on the role of Grandpa Potts, Caractacus's lovably dotty father, while Susannah van den Berg is set to play the Childcatcher, one of musical theatre's most memorably sinister villains. In an intriguing piece of casting, the role will be played by a female performer, promising a fresh perspective on the character that terrified a generation of cinemagoers when Robert Helpmann originated the part on screen.
The fictional kingdom of Vulgaria will be ruled by Samuel Morgan-Grahame as Baron Bomburst and Mairi Ikegami as Baroness Bomburst, the child-hating royal couple whose tyrannical reign provides much of the show's comic menace. Sam Pay doubles as Boris and Lord Scrumptious, while Alexander Zane takes on the role of Goran and serves as onstage musical director.
Rounding out the named roles, Reuben Greeph plays the Toymaker and also serves as onstage deputy musical director, while Theo Diedrick takes on the role of Coggins. The ensemble features Tasha Chu (who also serves as dance captain), Sameer Dhanjee, Georgie Hales, Javai James, Maya Khatri Chhetri, and Josh Rosewood.
Young Performers Share Key Roles
As is customary with long-running productions featuring child performers, the roles of Caractacus's children will be shared among several young actors. Jeremy Potts will be played by Francis Adams, Bodhi Allnutt, Elijah Bailey, and Lucas Froud, while Jemima Potts will be shared by Auora Breslin, Juyoung Chang, Sophie Georgeand, and Aila McLeish.
The production also features a large ensemble of young performers as the Children of Vulgaria, the oppressed youngsters hidden away by the Baron and Baroness. This group includes Chika Atakorah, Felix Brims, Amelia Cartwright, Willow Daniels, Roko Duckling, Ivy Evans, Rafe Evans, Cosmo French, Hugo Haworth, Asha Ibrahim, Imogen Jermey, Sophie Jones, Sam Llewellyn, Florence Martin, Kweji Sameke, Wilf Seymour, Cassia Tipp, and Audrey Williams. The commitment to casting such a large number of young performers underlines the Watermill's dedication to community engagement and nurturing the next generation of theatre talent.
The Sherman Brothers Score and Stage Adaptation
The musical features the much-loved score by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, the legendary songwriting duo behind the music for Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, and countless other Disney classics. Their work on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang produced some of the most enduring songs in family entertainment, including the rousing title number, the tender lullaby "Hushabye Mountain", the romantic "Truly Scrumptious", and the infectiously joyful "Me Ol' Bamboo".
The stage adaptation was crafted by Jeremy Sams, who expanded the story beyond the original film to create a full theatrical experience. The show originally premiered in the West End at the London Palladium in 2002, where it became a massive hit and ran for over three years. Since then, it has been performed in numerous productions worldwide, but the Watermill's actor-musician approach promises to offer audiences something genuinely different from the large-scale spectacle of the original staging.
A Stellar Creative Team Behind the Scenes
Paul Hart has assembled an impressive creative team to bring the magical world of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to life within the intimate Watermill setting. Katie Lias serves as set and costume designer, tasked with reimagining the show's many locations, from the Potts workshop to the fantastical kingdom of Vulgaria, for the Watermill's distinctive space.
Stuart Morley takes on the crucial role of musical supervisor and orchestrator, responsible for adapting the Sherman Brothers' orchestrations for an actor-musician ensemble. This is one of the most exciting aspects of the production: hearing these familiar songs performed by the cast themselves rather than a traditional pit orchestra will give the music an immediacy and intimacy that larger productions simply cannot replicate.
Anjali Mehra choreographs the production, while Marc Parrett serves as puppet designer, maker, and director. Given that the show centres on a magical flying car and features various fantastical elements, puppetry is likely to play a significant role in bringing the story's more imaginative moments to life. The creative team is completed by lighting designer Jai Morjaria, sound designer Tom Marshall, and video designer Daniel Denton.
A robust associate team supports the principal creatives, including Eva Sampson as associate director, Vanessa Vince-Pang as associate choreographer, and George Francis as associate musical supervisor. Casting for the production was handled by Cydney Beech.
The Watermill Theatre: A Venue Like No Other
The Watermill Theatre in Newbury, Berkshire, has built a remarkable reputation as one of the UK's most innovative and beloved regional theatres. Its actor-musician productions have become a signature of the venue, with performers required to act, sing, dance, and play instruments, often all at the same time. This approach strips away theatrical artifice and creates a raw, engaging connection between performers and audience members.
The venue's summer productions have become particularly celebrated, with the theatre making full use of its beautiful rural setting. Previous summer seasons have seen audiences enjoying performances that spill out from the intimate auditorium into the surrounding gardens and grounds, creating an immersive theatrical experience that draws visitors from across the country.
For a show like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which is typically associated with lavish West End or touring productions featuring elaborate flying car effects, the Watermill's stripped-back, imaginative approach presents a fascinating creative challenge. The theatre has repeatedly demonstrated that big stories can be told compellingly in small spaces, using theatrical ingenuity rather than expensive technical wizardry.
Should You Book Tickets?
With a run stretching from late May through to mid-September, the Watermill's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is positioned as the perfect summer outing for families and musical theatre enthusiasts alike. The combination of a universally beloved story, an iconic score, and the Watermill's distinctive actor-musician approach makes this one of the most intriguing regional theatre offerings of 2026.
The four-month run is generous by Watermill standards, reflecting the venue's confidence in the production's appeal. However, summer shows at this intimate venue tend to sell extremely well, so early booking is advisable, particularly for weekend and school holiday performances. The national press night on 4 June will provide the first critical assessments, but given the Watermill's track record of acclaimed summer productions, expectations are justifiably high.
For theatre fans looking for a unique take on a classic family musical, set in one of England's most charming theatrical settings, this production should be near the top of your 2026 wish list.
Looking for more musicals to enjoy? Browse our full list of shows currently on stage across the UK, or check out the latest theatre news and features on BritishTheatre.com.
Susan Novak has a lifelong passion for theatre. With a degree in English, she brings a deep appreciation for storytelling and drama to her writing. She also loves reading and poetry. When not attending shows, Susan enjoys exploring new work and sharing her enthusiasm for the performing arts, aiming to inspire others to experience the magic of theatre.
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