Auditions for Young People in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

The Watermill Theatre is looking for young people to play Jemima, Jeremy and the children of Vulgaria in its professional summer musical production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

• For the roles of Jeremy and Jemima, young people must be aged between 9 and 12 on 13 Apr 2026. They must also be under 4’7” tall.
• For the children of Vulgaria, young people must be aged between 9 and 14 on 13 Apr 2026. There are no height restrictions for these roles.
• Singing experience is helpful; dancing experience is a bonus.
• All boys must have unbroken voices.
• All young people must live within one hour of Newbury.

In order to apply on behalf of their child, parents/guardians should complete the following steps by 9am on Fri 11 Dec 2025: 

• Complete a registration form here; and
• Email the following to outreach@watermill.org.uk with a covering message including the young person’s name and your contact details:
  • An up-to-date photo of the applicant
  • A video of 30 seconds maximum of the applicant singing a song of their choice
  • A video of 30 seconds maximum of the applicant reading a few lines of dialogue from a book of their choice

Please note that videos can be filmed by phone, provided that the young person is clearly audible. 

Shortlisted young people will be invited to an in-person audition at the Watermill Theatre on Sun 18 Jan 2026. Young people must be available on this date to be considered.

Rehearsal and Performance Dates

Preliminary training for Jeremys and Jemimas: Sat 28 Mar and Sat 11 Apr 2026 

Rehearsals: Mon 13 Apr – Mon 25 May 2026 

Preview Performances: Tue 26 May – Wed 3 Jun 2026 

Performances: Thu 4 Jun – Sun 13 September 2026 

Ideally, young people will have no pre-existing commitments during the preliminary training, rehearsal and performance dates. Please list any pre-existing commitments on your application form. 

• Rehearsals will be a mix of evenings, weekends, and up to three afternoons a week out of school, depending on the role. Rehearsals will continue in the daytime during previews.
• During performances, the roles will be shared between three to four teams.
• Evening performances will be Mondays to Saturdays at 7.30pm.
• Matinees will be on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2.30pm.
• Early in the run, there will be some matinees on Wednesdays at 1.30pm.

Parents will be responsible for transporting their young person to rehearsals and performances. Some rehearsals will take place in London, in which case young people will be accompanied from Newbury by licensed chaperones. There is no cost to take part; the young performers will be paid a small rehearsal and performance fee.