Chitty Chitty Bang Bang takes off at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney delivering a fun night out for young and old.
The original inspiration for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a children’s book written by Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond novels.
And in true Bond style, the fast-paced theatre production includes a flying and floating car, villains from imaginary Eastern Bloc countries, a beautiful woman, improbable inventions and it ends with a kiss. The show is based on the 1968 MGM film.
The Sydney production includes a strong all-Australian cast with a company of more than 70 performers (including eight very cute dogs) – and, of course, the car is the star, “Old Chitty”.
Used in the British production, the car holds the Guinness World Record as the most expensive prop in the history of British Theatre, and the appreciative Sydney audience was delighted with the amazing car flying through the air and floating on water.
All the favourite songs from the movie are included in this theatre production. The signature title song, as well as “Toot Sweets”, “Hushabye Mountain” and “Truly Scrumptious” all deliver a dose of sweet nostalgia.
Australian tenor David Hobson plays the eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts. Rachael Beck is gorgeous as the feisty Truly Scrumptious who first falls for the endearing Potts children and then Caractacus himself. The children playing Jemima and Jeremy have strong, clear voices and are delightful in their roles.
Spics and Specs host Alan Brough and Jennifer Vuletic (Mamma Mia) look like they are having a ball playing the loved-up couple, Baron and Baronees Bomburst. He plays the childish toy-loving husband to her child-hating wife. Their rendition of “Chu Chi Face” is hilarious.
George Kapiniaris (Wogs Out of Work) and Todd Goddard add some adult humour as the blundering Vulgarian spies poorly disguised as Englishmen who set out to steal “Old Chitty”.
Anthony Ward’s continually changing sets draw gasps from the audience and whimsical inventions are cleverly woven throughout the production.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a nostalgic journey for adults who are lovers of the film of the same name and a magical romp for a new audience of children who may not have seen the film but enjoy a fast-paced musical with plenty of action, villains, sweets and an amazing car.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is playing for a 10-week limited season at the Capitol Theatre, Haymarket and for 10 weeks at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne. It opened November 16 in Sydney and plays Tuesday 7pm, Wednesday-Saturday 8pm; Matinees Wednesday 1pm, Saturday 2pm, Sunday 3pm. More information at http://www.chittychitty.com.au/
TICKETS http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang-tickets/artist/946425
