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 The Sherman Brothers were an American songwriting duo that specialized in musical films, made up of Robert B. Sherman (December 19, 1925 – March 6, 2012) and Richard M. Sherman (born June 12, 1928). Together they received various accolades in ...

in 2003 as a replacement song for " Think Vulgar". The song was first premiered at the

London Palladium The London Palladium () is a Grade II* West End theatre located on Argyll Street, London, in the famous area of Soho. The theatre holds 2,286 seats. Of the roster of stars who have played there, many have televised performances. Between 1955 a ...

on March 15, 2003. It is an expositional song. That is, aspects of the plotline are revealed in its lyric. In the song the vulgarian 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 Sherman agreed to write the replacement song, "Act English", but only under protest. He felt that the song, " Think Vulgar" better suited the vulgarian 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 Sams Jeremy Sams (born 12 January 1957) is a British theatre director, writer, translator, orchestrator, musical director, film composer, and lyricist. Early life and education Sams is the son of the late Shakespearean scholar and musicologist Eri ...

and director

Adrian Noble Adrian Keith Noble (born 19 July 1950) 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 Noble was born in Chichester, Sussex, England. After le ...

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.

References

{{authority control 2003 songs Songs from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Songs written by the Sherman Brothers