Matt Gillett moves centrestage to play The Childcatcher in the touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Matt Gillett will move from ensemble player to centrestage in May when he takes over as The Childcatcher in the UK and Ireland touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
The actor who won the iconic role after impressing the show’s producers (Music & Lyrics Limited and West Yorkshire Productions) as understudy for current Childcatcher Martin Kemp.
Kemp will leave the production on 24 April with Gillett taking over from 4 May when the show arrives at the Milton Keynes Theatre.
John Stalker, executive producer of Music & Lyrics 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!”
Gillett, who played Bob Crewe in the UK and Ireland tour of Jersey Boys, will join the previously announced Lee Mead who steps into the role of Caractacus Potts from 4 May (until 18 September); Carrie Hope Fletcher, who takes over the role of Truly Scrumptious from 4 May (until 2 October) and Shaun Williamson who will play Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst from 4 May (until 21 August).
The 2016–17 tour, playing the Grand Opera House, Belfast until Easter Sunday, currently features Jason Manford as Caractacus Potts and Phill Jupitus in the roles of Lord Scrumptious and Baron Bombast.
Manford will take a break from the show on 24 April before returning to the leading role from 21 September. Jupitus, who will also leave the show on 21 September, is scheduled to return to the show from 24 August when the production reaches Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre.
Current cast members Michelle Collins and Andy Hockley will both remain in their roles as Baroness Bomburst and Grandpa Potts respectively until February next year.
Other cast members are Ewen Cummings, Sam Harrison, Scott Paige, Kathryn Barnes, Rosanna Bates, Alex Louise Bird, Abigail Climer, Jade Davies, Ewan Gillies, Joanna Goodwin, Nathan Vaughan Harris, 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.
The new production of the family favourite is directed by West Yorkshire Playhouse artistic director James Brining, with new choreography by Stephen Mear. There is a live orchestra with musical supervision by Stephen Ridley. Set and costume design is by Simon Higlett, lighting design is by Tim Mitchell, with sound design by Ben Harrison and video design by Simon Wainwright.
Angela Thomas
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