Claire Sweeney
Claire Sweeney

Claire Sweeney will play the role of Baroness Bomburst in Music & Lyrics and West Yorkshire Playhouse’s production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, taking over the role from Michelle Collins, who leaves the production on 30 July 2016.

Michelle Collins said, “I will be really sorry to leave the fantastic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tour after my dates at the New Wimbledon Theatre and six months on the road.  I love playing the all singing and dancing Baroness Bomburst, but have been advised that the knee problem I have been managing along the way will not fully recover if I carry on for the rest of the 12-month tour.  I wish Claire Sweeney every success when she takes over the role this summer.”

John Stalker, Executive Producer of Music & Lyrics, said, “I would like to thank Michelle Collins for being a brilliant Baroness in our production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  I am thrilled that Claire Sweeney will be joining us in the role in August.  We are lucky to be working with two such talented actresses as part of our wonderful cast.”

On television, Claire Sweeney began her career as Lindsey Corkhill in Channel 4’s Brookside and appeared in the first ever Celebrity Big Brother in aid of Comic Relief.  She also appeared in the very first Strictly Come Dancing on BBC 1 and has been a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women.  She could also recently be heard hosting her very own weekly musical theatre-themed show on Magic FM.  In theatre, her many roles have included Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago in London’s West End, Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls at London’s Piccadilly Theatre with Patrick Swayze, The Girl in a national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s musical Tell Me on a Sunday, Paulette in the first UK tour of Legally Blonde, and she played the eponymous role in the UK tour of Educating Rita with Matthew Kelly.  Claire is currently starring as Velma Von Tussle in the UK tour of Hairspray.

Claire will join Lee Mead  as Caractacus Potts, Carrie Hope Fletcher as Truly Scrumptious, Phil Jupitus as Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst, Matt Gillett (Jersey Boys, Top Hat) as the Childcatcher and Andy Hockley (The Phantom Of The Opera) as Grandpa Potts.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will feature sensational sets, stunning special effects and, of course, the memorable score by the Sherman Brothers, which includes such classics as Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain and the Oscar-nominated title song Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang flies onto our stage from 7 – 18 Sept. You can book tickets online or call our Box Office on 0844 338 5000 (calls cost 4.5p per minute plus phone company’s access charge).