Charlotte Wakefield taking over as Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has announced that Charlotte Wakefield is taking over as Truly Scrumptious from Carrie Hope Fletcher in the UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from 5th October in Edinburgh. 

Wakefield recently played Hester Fletcher in the UK tour of The Herbal Bed: The Secret Life Of Shakespeare’s Daughter. She famously created the role of Wendla Bergman in the UK premiere of Spring Awakening at the Lyric Hammersmith. The show transferred to the West End’s Novello Theatre and Wakefield received an Olivier nomination.

Big Interview: Carrie Hope Fletcher

Carrie Hope Fletcher is currently starring as Truly Scrumptious in the UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. 

Carrie recently completed a three year run as Éponine in the West End production of Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre. In 2014 she took a short break from Les Mis to play Beth in the UK arena tour of The War of the Worlds.

As a child actress, Carrie previously starred as Jemima Potts in the West End production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium. Her credits as a child performer also include: Young Eponine in Les Miserables (Palace), Jane Banks in Mary Poppins (Prince Edward/Bristol Hippodrome) and Weasel/Duck in The Wind in the Willows (Open Air Theatre).

Her television credits include: BBC's In Two Minds, Break Kids for the Disney Channel, Princess Beatrix in Wilhelmina and Dog and Duck for HTV. Carrie’s concert appearances include Edges (Delfont Room), Andrew Lippa in Concert (St James Theatre), West End Heroes (Dominion) and Ramin Karimloo's 2012 tour Road to Find Out. Carrie performed at Summer in the City, the largest YouTube gathering in the UK involving over 3000 people over one weekend.

Alongside her acting and music career, Carrie has an established online presence with over 380,000 followers on Twitter and over 600,000 subscribers on YouTube. She is well known for her series of video blogs which discuss a wide variety of topics and have a dedicated online following. In 2015, Carrie released her first book All I Know Now: Wonderings and Reflections on Growing Up Gracefully and her second book is due to be released in July 2016.

I recently spoke to Carrie about returning to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as an adult, why it has stood the test of time and her favourite moment in the show. We also discussed her time in Les Mis, whether she would consider doing a solo show and wanting to go green…

Are you feeling settled into life in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

Yes – it always takes a little bit of time to settle into what you’re doing. I feel really settled now and the whole cast have been unbelievably welcoming. Right from the first rehearsal I felt like I was going to slot in ok. You’ve just got to get all the moves down and get the show into your body.

Claire Sweeney replaces Michelle Collins in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Michelle Collins is withdrawing from her role as Baroness Bomburst in the UK and Ireland tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang due to a knee injury. 

Collins will play her final performance on 30th July 2016. Claire Sweeney (Brookside/Hairspray) will take over as Baroness Bomburst from 3rd August 2016 and continue with the tour until it concludes in February 2017.

Collins says: "I will be really sorry to leave the fantastic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tour after my dates at the New Wimbledon Theatre and six months on the road. I love playing the all singing and dancing Baroness Bomburst, but have been advised that the knee problem I have been managing along the way will not fully recover if I carry on for the rest of the 12-month tour. I wish Claire Sweeney every success when she takes over the role this summer."

Matt Gillett takes over as The Childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Matt Gillett is taking over from Martin Kemp as The Childcatcher in the UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Kemp plays his final performance on 24th April, with Gillett taking over from 4th May in Milton Keynes. 

Gillett currently understudies The Childcatcher and is part of the ensemble. His theatre credits include Bob Crewe in Jersey Boys (UK & ireland tour) and Top Hat (West End).

Producer John Stalker said: "We are delighted to offer Matt this starring role having understudied the part of The Childcatcher since the beginning of the show in Leeds. Matt's performance will have everyone on the edge of their seats!” 

Carrie Hope Fletcher to star in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

It has been announced that Carrie Hope Fletcher will play Truly Scrumptious in the UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang between 4th May and 2nd October.

Hope Fletcher previously played the role of Jemima in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Palladium when she was a child. The star recently completed her run as Éponine in Les Miserables, having played Young Eponine as a child. 

Also joining the cast is Shaun Williamson who will play Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst between 4th May and 21st August. Phill Jupitus, who currently plays Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst, will return to the show from 24th August.

As previously announced Lee Mead will play Caractacus Potts from 4th May until 18th September, with Jason Manford returning to the role, which he is currently playing, from 21st September. 

Sneak peek at... Chitty Chitty Bang Bang UK tour

Production images have been released for the upcoming UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which opens at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton tonight (10th February 2016). Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

The cast for the first leg of the tour includes Jason Manford (The Producers/ Sweeney Todd) as Caractacus Potts, Martin Kemp (EastEnders/The Homecoming) as the Childcatcher, Amy Griffiths (Everyman/Stephen Ward) as Truly Scrumptious, Phill Jupitus (The Producers/Hairspray) as Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst, Michelle Collins (EastEnders/Coronation Street) as Baroness Bomburst and Andy Hockley (The Phantom Of The Opera) as Grandpa Potts.

Sneak peek at... Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Production images have been released for the West Yorkshire Playhouse run of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The musical is currently in previews ahead of press night on 10th December. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

The cast includes Jon Robyns as Caractacus Potts, Amy Griffiths as Truly Scrumptious, Don Gallagher as Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst, Tamsin Carroll as Baroness Bomburst, Stephen Matthews as The Childcatcher, Andy Hockley as Grandpa Potts, Ewen Cummins as The Toymaker/Mr Coggins, Sam Harrison as Boris and Scott Paige as Goran.

Completing the cast are: Kathryn Barnes, Rosanna Bates, Alex Louize Bird, Abigail Climer, Jade Davies, Matt Gillett, Ewan Gillies, Joanna Goodwin, Christopher D Hunt, Paul Iveson, Nia Jermin, Kelsie-Rae Marshall, Mollie Melia-Redgrave, Perry O’Dea, Matt Overfield, Ross Russell, Craig Turner and Robert Wilkes.

Big Interview: Amy Griffiths, starring as Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Amy Griffiths is currently preparing to star as Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the West Yorkshire Playhouse this Christmas. 

Next year she will reprise her performance for the first leg of the musical’s UK tour. Stephen Mear is choreographing the new production with direction from James Brining and design by Simon Higlett.

Amy recently played Sarah in Rufus Norris’ film adaptation of London Road. Her credits for the National Theatre include Everyman, Medea and The Magistrate.

A few of Amy’s extensive theatre credits include: understudy Christine & Mandy in Stephen Ward (Aldwych), Martha in The Pajama Game (Chichester), Lucinda and understudy Witch in Into The Woods (Open Air Theatre) and The Producers (UK tour). She understudied the role of Irene in Crazy For You at the Open Air Theatre before taking over full time for the musical’s West End transfer to the Novello Theatre.

Amy’s screen credits include: Les Miserables (Working Title), The Trials of Jimmy Rose (ITV) and Spotless (Canal Plus). She has recorded voiceovers for Sky Movies, Panasonic, Thumbs Up Productions and MTV.

I recently spoke to Amy about how it feels to be taking on such an iconic role, why this new production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang feels so fresh and being kept on her toes by her younger co-stars. We also discussed how she convinced casting directors that she was right for the London Road film, how she has avoided becoming pigeonholed and why variety is such an important part of her career…

Truly Scrumptious is one of those roles so many actresses dream of playing! Is it a part you’ve always wanted to do?

Absolutely! When the audition came through I read the script and saw the ballsy side of her which I hadn’t really thought about before. She’s a single lady, in her late twenties and had no children in the early nineteenth century – she’s a strong independent woman to be in that situation in society! Not only was it a dream role for me, but I have discovered this new layer to her that excited me even more. It’s very exciting!

Big Interview: Lee Mead

Lee Mead is currently touring the UK with his Some Enchanted Evening concert.

Marking his fourth UK concert tour, the show turns back the musical clock to the golden age of Hollywood and celebrates some of the classic songs that that have become a part of our musical heritage. 

In 2007 Lee won the BBC1 programme Any Dream Will Do and went on to star as the title role in the West End revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Adelphi Theatre.

His theatre credits also include: title role in Lord Arthur Savile's Crime (UK tour), Fiyero in Wicked (Apollo Victoria), Emmett in Legally Blonde (Savoy), The West End Men (Vaudeville/UK tour), Levi and the Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK tour), understudy Tommy in Tommy (UK tour), understudy Chris in Miss Saigon (UK tour) and understudy Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's).

Lee is currently playing Lofty in BBC1's Casualty and will return to musical theatre next year when he stars as Caractacus Potts in the UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang between 4th May and 18th September 2016.

Earlier this year Lee was nominated for a NTA Award for favourite newcomer. He won a West End Frame Award in April 2012 for Most Wanted West End Return. Lee is currently recording a new studio album to be released Spring 2016.

I recently spoke to Lee about how he put together his Some Enchanted Evening tour, how Casualty has re-launched his career and what it’s like to look back at everything that’s happened over the past few years…

How are you finding your Some Enchanted Evening tour so far?

It has been great, actually! There are just ten dates on this tour because I’m filming in Cardiff during the week. The concerts have been every two weeks since July and go through until the end of the year. It’s a shame because I usually go out and do twenty or twenty-five dates on tour when I’ve put a new show together so I think the plan is to tour next year as well. It took five months to put the show together with band calls and finding the right songs. 

Lee Mead, Martin Kemp & Jason Manford to star in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Casting has been announced for the 2016-17 UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which opens at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton on 10th February 2016 (tour dates below).

Caractacus Potts will be played by Jason Manford (The Producers/ Sweeney Todd) from 10th February until 24th April. He will return to the show from 5th October 2016. 

Lee Mead (Any Dream Will Do/Legally Blonde) will play Caractacus Potts from 4th May until 18th September 2016. 

Martin Kemp (EastEnders/Spandau Ballet) will play the Childcatcher and Amy Griffiths (Everyman/Stephen Ward) will play Truly Scrumptious, both until 24th April 2016.

Big Interview: Tamsin Carroll discusses her new roles in Casa Valentina & Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Tamsin Carroll is currently playing Rita in the European premiere of Casa Valentina by Harvey Fierstein which officially opens at the Southwark Playhouse tonight (16th September).

Based on real life events, Casa Valentina follows a group of heterosexual cross-dressers who leave their families, friends and city jobs behind to safely inhabit their female alter egos and release their inner woman.

It has recently been announced that after Casa Valentina, Tamsin will play Baroness Bomburst in James Brining's new production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which opens at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in December.

Most recently Tamsin recreated the role of Ellen in the first West End revival of Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre. She premiered the English language version of 'Maybe', a new song written by Boublil and Schönberg for Ellen to sing in the second act. 

Her theatre credits also include: Chairy Barnum in Barnum (Chichester), The Magistrate (National), Emma Goldman in Ragtime & Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream (both Regent's Park), alternate Nancy in Oliver (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show (Sydney & Melbourne) and Dusty Springfield in Dusty (Australian Tour).

Tamsin is from Australia where just a few of her theatre credits include playing Marta in Company, Isabella in Measure for Measure, Rizzo in Grease, Tracy Lord in High Society, Rose in Bye Bye Birdie and Sheila in Hair. She played Nicole in three episodes of EastEnders.

I recently spoke to Tamsin about the beauty of Harvey Fierstein’s work, memories of sitting around at the piano with Boublil and Schönberg whilst working on Miss Saigon and why she’s so excited about working on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang…

Casa Valentina is an incredibly exciting play, what made you go ‘I want to do this’?

I’m a huge fan of the writer Harvey Fierstein, I think he’s an exceptional human being who has such a wonderful collection of work behind him. New work is always exciting and this is an ensemble piece which is one of the greatest things about it. It’s very rare that you get a cast of around nine or ten who all get their moment. It’s a real collaboration with big personalities and great stories! Also, it’s very topical at the moment. It’s a subject matter which has come to the limelight and deserves to be discussed in the limelight. It’s very interesting because it’s a topic some people may not have considered, I’ve learnt a great deal through being part of it. So for all those reasons I found it very appealing and, of course, the Southwark Playhouse has such a wonderful reputation and is a great venue to be at. We’re having a great time!