Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Gary Wilmott, Paul Greenwood, Marissa Dunlop, David Henry,
Jane Gurnett, Alvin Stardust, Chynna Louise Brennan, Ben Darcy
Director: Adrian Noble
Adaptation: Jeremy Sams
Choreography: Gillian Lynne
Liverpool Empire Theatre
Wednesday 20th September 2006
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Review of
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG
from Liverpool Empire Theatre
It’s difficult to know where to begin a review of Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang. Superb is an understatement and Spectacular
only contains eleven letters. Fantasmagorical, whatever it means, will
just have to do. With a cast of over 70 that includes 10 dogs, sensational
sets and astonishing special effects this action-packed adventure is
the story of the magical car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Following award-winning runs in both The West End and on Broadway, the
show has hit the road at full speed to delight and entertain audiences
wherever it has travelled and, on this performance, it is little wonder.
The
sets are a child’s gigantic colouring book of oversized, grandiose
machines that lend themselves perfectly, though never outshine, the
story of eccentric, penniless inventor Caractacus Potts (Wilmott) his
two children, Jeremy and Jemima (Brennan and Darcy), Truly Scrumptious
(Dunlop) and Grandfather Potts (Greenwood) who have nothing to give
the children, but dreams. That is until one day Jeremy and Jemima find
that their favourite plaything, a clapped out old heap of a car, is
for sale at forty shillings. Somehow Caractacus finds the money and
returns the car to its former glory, much to the chagrin of the vile
Vulgarians who covet the vehicle’s hidden extras.
Like slipping into a pair of comfy slippers, the memories of childhood
come flooding back, as each tune is performed with enough emotion to spring
an oily tear from the most rusted of headlights. Toot Sweets,
You Two, Truly Scrumptious and, of course, Chitty
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang come alive on stage though the brightest
of musical highlights were reserved for the fantastically well choreographed
Me Ol Bamboo performed before a fairground picked out in twinkling,
multi-coloured fairy lights, Gary Wilmott’s moving version of Hushaby
Mountain and The Roses Of Success performed superbly well
by Paul Greenwood. In addition, Marissa Dunlop showed her vocal talents
exquisitely as Truly pretended to be a doll in a music box.
Special
mention should also be given to Chynna Louise Brennan and Ben Darcy. These
two youngsters are in virtually every scene, yet their professionalism
and talent – at such a tender age – is nonetheless evident.
David Henry and Janet Gurnett –
unrecognisable beneath her make up from her role as Kate Russell, manager
of the later version Crossroads Motel – were impressively
bumptious and overstated in their roles as Baron and Baroness Bomburst,
though it is a little puzzling as to why the birthday bash they host has
a Brazilian theme.
There
has to be a baddie and here Alvin Stardust excelled as the pale faced,
bald headed, top-hatted, black cloaked, hook carrying Child Catcher, who’s
job it is to ensure the Republic of Vulgaria remains child free by virtue
of his ability to smell children’s blood.
If hisses and boos were applause, Stardust would have brought the house
down by himself.
Naturally enough, however, in this show the car is
very definitely the star and its bow was taken in full mesmerising style
as she at first floats like a hovercraft on a sea of dry ice, before finally
taking to the air in a manner guaranteed to bring gasps of wonder-filled
delight from both children and adults alike. If there is one thing that
makes this show stand out it is the effects and this tops anything there
is on the musical stage at the moment. Chitty Chitty Bang
Bang is fast, fantastic and fun. If you’re six or
sixty-six, make a point of booking to see this extravaganza (a dozen letters
still aren’t enough to do it justice) when it flies into a town
near you over the coming twelve months.
9/10
http://www.chittythemusical.co.uk
Chitty On Tour 2006 / 07
Liverpool Empire … Sept 18 – Nov 18
Edinburgh Playhouse … 2 Dec – 24 Feb (2007)
Bristol Hippodrome … 12 Mar – 9 June
The Mayflower, Southampton … 25 June – 15 Sept
(Cast and dates may change. Check local press for details)
If so - please feel free to leave your FEEDBACK
break the rules as I see fit.” - Chris High 2003.