Michael Ball extends contract to 19 July 03 in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Michael Ball extends contract to 19 July 03 in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Michael Ball has extended his contract as 'Caractacus Potts' in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium by four months to 19 July 03 .

There are also cast changes from 17 Mar 03: Caroline Sheen will star as 'Truly Scrumptious', Victor Spinetti as 'Baron Bomburst', Sandra Dickinson as 'Baroness Bomburst', and Derek Griffiths as 'The Child Catcher'.

Anton Rogers will remain in the cast as 'Grandpa Potts'

Caroline Sheen has recently appeared in the West End musicals "The Witches of Eastwick", "Mamma Mia!" and "Into The Woods".

Victor Spinetti is a West End veteran, whose shows include "Expresso Bongo" , "Candide" and "Oh! What A Lovely War". His film credits include "A Hard Days Night", "Help!" and "The Magical Mystery Tour".

Sandra Dickinson has recently been seen in the London stage productions of "The Graduate" and "Orheus Descending" .

Derek Griffiths is best known in the UK as a children's TV presenter. His London stage credits include "Measure for Measure" and "Twelfth Night" for the RSC at the Barbican in 1995, and most recently "Noises Off" at the Comedy Theatre last year. His film credits include "Up Pompeii" and "Fierce Creatures".

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 film version has been adapted for the stage by Jeremy Sams and directed by Adrian Noble. It is designed by Anthony Ward, with musical staging and choreography by Gillian Lynne with lighting by Mark Henderson