Brings out the kid in me (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - The Musical)

Member Name: MarnieDebs

Product:	Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - The Musical
Date:	10/10/03 (313 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The songs, the car, the choreography

Disadvantages: If you sit in the wrong place under the balcony you might miss the finale :-(, Got to get to London, and it'll be a very difficult show to tour

I've seen this show twice now, both times with the same original cast (Michael Ball, Emma Williams, Brian Blessed etc) but the second time with a different child-catcher (Paul O'Grady). The first time, I really didn't expect much at all. I was in London for another reason, and it was an excuse to see some amazing actors all together on stage. Well, I was blown away completely. When the overture struck up, and the audience started to clap insanely, I momentarily got worried - I don't like that kind of thing at all. I almost walked out of "Fame" when people started doing this at the end. But by the end of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", I was on my feet with everyone else -- it just deserved it for being such an insanely optimistic production. The second time I saw the show, I was concerned that it wouldn't match that first viewing - maybe it just caught me on a really bad or really good day, this time there would be no Richard O'Brien, no surprises - but nope, it did it again. And I imagine that now, even minus all those original cast members, it will still have the power over my inner child. It's down to an insanely simple premise - a car that flies - a bunch of completely mad characters, and of course, those ridiculously catchy songs of the Sherman brothers.

Two perfect golden-haired kids convince their ever-loving father, a crackpot inventor by the name of Caractacus Potts, to buy a run-down wreck of a racing car. He raises the money by taking a hair-cutting machine to the fair and selling it to a man who wishes to use it for plucking chickens. He renovates the car, which promptly takes on a life of its own, informing them, in so many sound effects, that its name is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. But evil forces are floating off the coast of Beachy Head in the form of Baron Bombhurst of Vulgaria. He Wants That Car! But Chitty has a bunch of tricks up her bonnet, and all will of course be well, but not before the kids a
re kidnapped by the Evil Child Catcher and all kinds of madness ensues over in Vulgaria.

What struck me about the show is that, despite it being such a huge endeavour, there are opportunities in each separate setpiece for each individual on the crew to shine. There's a big song that showcases purely Gillian Lynne's choreography, while allowing Michael Ball to show off his newly acquired dancing skills, Me Ol' Bamboo. There's a new song that fully shows off the costume design and lighting, introducing a whole new look and musical style to the show in the Bombie Samba. There's another whole new song, Kiddie Widdie Winkies, that brilliantly captures the sinister Child Catcher, something that many thought could not be recreated after the movie's truly terrifying version. Toot Sweets is given an enormous and beautifully unveiled sweet factory set. Miniature models are used to hilarious effect in a couple of places. Animals and children flood the stage. No theatrical flourish is left untapped, and the show lives up to its promise in The Car -- the flight scenes are simply wonderful to behold.

You might think "I'll just buy the movie" but I urge anyone with kids - they will go absolutely crackers over this musical, and you probably will too. I have to say I've probably never been so happy watching a show, possibly even *not* watching a show. I heard someone say that "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" is a story which is about those crazy dreams which should be allowed to come true, and for two hours plus, you will absolutely believe it can be so. You don't just believe Chitty can fly because the effects are good -- You *want* her to fly at the end, and become lost in a beautiful impossible moment made possible by the magic of theatre.

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