The Vivienne returns to Liverpool Empire as The Childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

The Liverpool Empire Theatre is set to welcome back a familiar face this autumn as The Vivienne returns to the stage in the highly anticipated new production.

The multi-talented performer will take on the role of The Childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, adding to an already stellar cast for what promises to be the most fantasmagorical musical of all time.

Running from Tuesday, 8th October to Sunday, 20th October 2024, this production features a lineup of celebrated actors, including:

Adam Garcia as Caractacus Potts, Olivier-nominee known for his roles in 42nd Street, Saturday Night Fever, and Kiss Me, Kate.
Liam Fox as Grandpa Potts, famed for his long-running role as Dan Spencer in Emmerdale.
Ellie Nunn as Truly Scrumptious, with extensive theatre credits including Shakespeare in Love and Twelfth Night.

Credit: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang — Image provided by Liverpool Empire

The ensemble cast for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang includes Martin Callaghan, Jenny Gayner, Adam Stafford, Michael Joseph, John Macaulay, 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.

Adopted Scouser Viv, known for being crowned the first-ever winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, has had an incredible career.

Her recent performances include the role of The Wicked Witch of the West in the UK tour of The Wizard of Oz, which enjoyed a hugely successful Christmas 2023 run at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. She has also appeared in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, Emmerdale, and was a finalist in the UK series of Dancing on Ice in 2023.

This new production is directed by Thom Southerland (Titanic, Parade) and choreographed by Karen Bruce (BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, The Bodyguard).

The set and costume design are by Morgan Large (Newsies, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat), with lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Gareth Tucker, musical supervision by George Dyer (The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Billy Elliot), and casting by Debbie O’Brien.

Based on Ian Fleming’s classic story and the beloved 1968 film, the show features iconic songs by the Sherman Brothers, including Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain, Truly Scrumptious, and the Academy Award-nominated title song.

The story follows the eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, who, with his children Jemima and Jeremy, restores a magical car that takes them on a whimsical adventure with the delightful Truly Scrumptious.