Charlie Brooks, known for playing Janine in BBC’s EastEnders, will be the Childcatcher in the new production of the family-friendly musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which will open April 30–May 12 at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton before embarking on a U.K. tour with dates currently scheduled through May 10, 2025.

Brooks, recently seen on stage in The Ocean at the End of the Lane, will share the role with Elaine C. Smith (Two Doors Down, I Dreamed a Dream), who will play the Childcatcher in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Inverness only.

As previously reported, Olivier nominee Adam Garcia, recently seen as Julian Marsh in the Curve and Sadler’s Wells production of 42nd Street, will star as Caractacus Potts with Emmerdale star Liam Fox as Grandpa Potts, Ellie Nunn as Truly Scrumptious, Martin Callaghan as Baron, Jenny Gayner as Baroness, Adam Stafford as Boris, Michael Joseph as Goran, and John Macaulay as The Toymaker.

The roles of Jeremy and Jemima Potts will be shared by Gracie Cochrane, Ayrton English, Isla Ithier, Isabella Manning, Charlie McGuire, Jasmine Nyenya, Roshan Thomson, and Louis Wilkins.

The company also includes Charlie Bishop, Ruaraidh Blackwood, Hadrian Delacey, Belle Kizzy Green, Tia Gyngell, Kirsty Ingram, Bibi Jay, Isabella Mason, Joe Press, Theo UK Rose, Molly Rees Howe, Callum Train, and Luke Woollaston.

This new production will be directed by Thom Southerland (Titanic) with choreography by Karen Bruce (BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing), set and costume design by Morgan Large, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Gareth Tucker, musical supervision by George Dyer, and casting by Debbie O’Brien.

Based on Ian Fleming’s story that was later made into the famed 1968 film, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, music by special arrangement with Sony/ATV Publishing, and a stage adaptation by Jeremy Sams. Based on the MGM motion picture, the licensed script is adapted by Ray Roderick.

The musical follows absent-minded inventor Caractacus Potts, who restores a broken-down racing car with the help of his children. Soon the family discover the car has magical powers, and along with the delectable Truly Scrumptious, they end up on a fantastical adventure to far-off lands.

This production was originally produced by Eon Productions, Dana Broccoli, Frederick Zollo, Nicholas Paleologos, Jeffrey Sine, Miriam Productions, and Michael Rose at The London Palladium.

Directed by Adrian Noble, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang played Broadway's Hilton Theatre March 2005-December 2005. The production was nominated for five Tony Awards.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is presented by permission of Music Theatre International.

For the current touring itinerary, visit ChittyonTour.com.