Jason Manford to star in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

The much loved comedian Jason Manford is to play the role of Caractacus Potts when the family musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang comes to Northampton's Royal and Derngate later in the year.

Well known for hit touring comedy shows, he has also appeared on TV shows such Live at the Apollo, 8 Out of 10 Cats and QI.

The show comes to Northampton from Wednesday September 21 to Sunday October 2.

Jason is no stranger to the world of musical theatre as he was involved in the last UK tour of The Producers and appeared in Sweeney Todd.

Jason Manford in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

He joins the already announced Phill Jupitus (The Producers, Hairspray) as Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst and Michelle Collins (EastEnders, Coronation Street) as Baroness Bomburst.

One of the world’s favourite musicals, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will have audiences of all ages flying high with its mixture of madness, intrigue and exuberance.

Can the loveable but wacky inventor, Potts, along with his two children and the gorgeous Truly Scrumptious outwit the bombastic Baron Bomburst, who has decreed that all children be banished from his kingdom? What happens when the children are caught and imprisoned by the evil Childcatcher? Will it all end happily-ever-after? Well, of course it will!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman, who were also responsible for Mary Poppins, The Slipper and the Rose, The Aristocats and The Jungle Book.

Tickets for the show are priced from £17 to £42.50 and are available now. To check times and to book, call the box office on 01604 624811 or go to www.royalandderngate.co.uk.