Act English
Encyclopedia
"Act English" is a song created especially for the stage musical production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It was written by Robert and Richard Sherman in 2003 as a replacement song for "Think Vulgar
". The song was first premiered at the London Palladium
on March 15, 2003. It is an expositional song. That is, aspects of the plotline are revealed in its lyric. In the song the vulgaria
n spies discuss their plans to steal the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car.
and director Adrian Noble
who felt that "Think Vulgar" was not moving the story along at a quick enough pace. Although there were disagreements with regard to its necessity, the creative parties have remained friendly throughout the course of the show's long life.
Think Vulgar
"Think Vulgar" is a song created especially for the stage musical production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It was written by Robert and Richard Sherman in 2001 and premiered at the London Palladium on April 16, 2002. It was subsequently replaced by "Act English" a year later...
". The song was first premiered at the London Palladium
London Palladium
The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety...
on March 15, 2003. It is an expositional song. That is, aspects of the plotline are revealed in its lyric. In the song the vulgaria
Vulgaria
Vulgaria is a fictional European barony visited by the Potts family and Truly Scrumptious in their flying car, in the 1968 children's film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the 2002 stage adaptation.-About Vulgaria:...
n spies discuss their plans to steal the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car.
About the song
- After March 15, 2003 "Think Vulgar" was no longer performed on stage; however, the song can still be found on the Original London Cast Album which was recorded in June 2002. There is no authorized recording of "Act English".
- Songwriter, Robert ShermanRobert B. ShermanRobert Bernard Sherman is an American songwriter who specializes in musical films with his brother Richard Morton Sherman...
agreed to write the replacement song, "Act English", but only under protest. He felt that the song, "Think VulgarThink Vulgar"Think Vulgar" is a song created especially for the stage musical production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It was written by Robert and Richard Sherman in 2001 and premiered at the London Palladium on April 16, 2002. It was subsequently replaced by "Act English" a year later...
" better suited the vulgariaVulgariaVulgaria is a fictional European barony visited by the Potts family and Truly Scrumptious in their flying car, in the 1968 children's film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the 2002 stage adaptation.-About Vulgaria:...
n Spies' personalities. Also, Sherman believed that "Act English" would not be immediately accessible to American audiences (even though he and his brother wrote it) due to the song's numerous references to specific English eccentricities.
Why the song was replaced
The concept for "Act English" was conceived by book writer Jeremy SamsJeremy Sams
Jeremy Sams is a British film director, writer, translator, orchestrator, musical director, film composer, and lyricist....
and director Adrian Noble
Adrian Noble
Adrian Keith Noble is a theatre director, and was also the artistic director and chief executive of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1990 to 2003.-Education and career:...
who felt that "Think Vulgar" was not moving the story along at a quick enough pace. Although there were disagreements with regard to its necessity, the creative parties have remained friendly throughout the course of the show's long life.