Gary Wilmot will star as 'Caractacus Potts' in Chitty from 21 July 03

Gary Wilmot will star as 'Caractacus Potts' in Chitty from 21 July 03

It has been announced that Gary Wilmot will take over the role of 'Caractacus Potts' in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium from 21 July 03 . (He is replacing Michael Ball)

The cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang currently includes: Caroline Sheen (Truly Scrumptious ), Michael Ball (Caractacus Potts, until 19 July 03 **PLEASE NOTE: Michael Ball will not be appearing on Monday Evenings or Wednesday Matinees ) , Anton Rodgers (Grandpa Potts), Victor Spinetti (The Baron), Sandra Dickinson (The Baroness ), Derek Griffiths (Child Catcher, until 24 July then Wayne Sleep)

The show has music & lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman. The film has been adapted for the stage by Jeremy Sams. The show is designed by Anthony Ward, has musical staging and choreography by Gillian Lynne and is directed by Adrian Noble.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang opened in April last year to good notices from the popular press: BBC ONLINE says, "You come out of the London Palladium feeling like a kid on Christmas Eve." THE EVENING STANDARD says, "Sheer theatrical magic" And goes on to say, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang proves itself an ageless pleasure and a pleasure for all ages. " THE GUARDIAN says, "It is the car everyone has come to see, and I can only report that when it becomes airborne and flies over the front stalls there are gasps of astonished delight." THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "The audience was purring with pleasure from the moment the band struck up the title tune during the overture." THE DAILY MAIL says, " Brilliantly and ingeniously designed by Anthony Ward."

The show is currently booking to 13 March 2004