Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is my favourite childhood film of all time and I have seen it live on the stage a couple of times, but when we were invited to see the tour at Bournemouth Pavilion, I couldn’t wait to introduce the kids to this fantasmagorical musical.
Based on Ian Fleming’s timeless story for children and later made into the famous 1968 film, in CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG we meet absent-minded inventor Caractacus Potts who restores a broken-down old racing car with the help of his children Jemima and Jeremy. Soon the family discover the car has magical powers, and along with the delectable Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts, they end up on a fantastical adventure to far off lands. Their heart-warming journey makes CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG a fun-filled hit for all the family.
The musical is packed full of all your favourite songs from the film and each member of the family had their favourite; Toot Sweet was lots of fun with dancers and fantastic dog puppets, Me ‘Ol Bam-Boo was complete with a fabulous and fast paced stick dance routine, Hushaby Mountain was a beautiful as I remember and my all time favourite, Doll on a Music Box, was done to perfection. A real goosebump moment was when the whole audience got involved and joined in and clapped along with the theme song.
Local celebrity, Ore Adouba, was perfectly cast as Caractacus Potts and Charlie Brooks was at her menacing best as the wicked child catcher, but it was Baron and Baroness Bomburst and their hapless henchmen that really stole the show for us, with their hilarious antics.
Of course the show wouldn’t be here without the fantastic car and we were very impressed that, not only had they arranged for a replica to be outside from Beaulieu Motor Museum, but that the stage car moved around the stage and even flew.
I also want to give a special mention to Isaac and Eliza’s musical theatre class mates from Jamie Lee Dance Academy, who were all fabulous as the imprisoned children in Baron Bomburst’s castle.
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG on tour is at Bournemouth Pavilion until Sunday 23rd March – you would be mad to miss it.
Disclaimer: We were guests of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG at Bournemouth Pavilion. All thoughts and opinions are our own.
