This month Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang makes a very welcome return to Oxford’s New Theatre. And, with pyrotechnics, strobe lighting, live dogs and of course the now renowned flying car, the production, as should be expected, takes over the venue. No matter how old you may be, how well you think you know the story or how many times you’ve endured the entire film on television at Christmas, the stage show will keep you rapt throughout.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang proves to be a great night out for all of the family, providing humour for the grown-up audience members as well as for the slightly younger, more excitable ones! With superb performances from both Katie Ray (playing ‘Truly Scrumptious’) and Darren Bennett (whose ‘Caractacus Potts’ could rival that of Dick Van Dyke), and seriously stunning costumes, particularly the striking black and red uniforms of the “Vulgarians” this current revival of a well loved favourite is certainly a visual feast. It is also a feast for the ears, and even on exiting the theatre many audience members (and not just the children...) could still be heard humming the infamous theme.
Perhaps it’s because the film version seems to get several hours longer with each viewing, or perhaps it’s the joyful atmosphere amongst the audience but witnessing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on stage as opposed to on TV seems to be a far more enjoyable experience! So this Christmas, before whisking the kids off to the traditional panto, be sure to consider this timeless classic instead. You will not regret it.
Rowena Purrett, 10/12/09
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