Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Ok so I'll admit that this has always been one of my favourite family films and I knew that Ian Fleming always had in mind a stage production of his story but it has only been in the last few years that stage technology has got to a level where it has been possible to produce this on stage and oh dear lord if it isn't absolutely fantastic! The magic of the film translates perfectly to the stage, the sets are amazing and everything about it makes your inner child feel all warm and squishy. Hushabye Mountain will bring a tear to your eye as will Truly as the clockwork doll. I had booked tickets in our own private box for this performance as a birthday present for my daughter so there were only three of us meaning that we had more than enough room for comfort, a fantastic view and thanks to our location on Stage Left my daughter was completely pulled into the performance by the Inept Spies and Baron and Baroness Bombhurst taking the opportunity to have an in-character quick chat with her. The Childcatcher was complete panto baddie with a touch of Dick Dastardly thrown in for good measure, incredibly creepy and very sinister but absolutely my daughter's favourite character. She's always loved the Childcatcher and thankfully Ian "H" Watkins (yes, him from Steps) absorbed the role completely and was very obviously enjoying all the boos and hisses from the audience. One small gripe, and it isn't a big one, was Aled Jones. He was Charactacus Potts and while he is a fantastic singer, he is no actor. He has very little stage presence and quite obviously is not a dancer. The Old Bamboo scene was carried by the singers and dancers while you could almost see Aled Jones counting out the steps as he moved. If you get the chance to go and see this then take it, you won't regret it. It is truly an absolutely magical stage performance that will make you fall in love with the story all over again.
Ok so I'll admit that this has always been one of my favourite family films and I knew that Ian Fleming always had in mind a stage production of his story but it has only been in the last few years that stage technology has got to a level where it has been possible to produce this on stage and oh dear lord if it isn't absolutely fantastic! The magic of the film translates perfectly to the stage, the sets are amazing and everything about it makes your inner child feel all warm and squishy. Hushabye Mountain will bring a tear to your eye as will Truly as the clockwork doll. I had booked tickets in our own private box for this performance as a birthday present for my daughter so there were only three of us meaning that we had more than enough room for comfort, a fantastic view and thanks to our location on Stage Left my daughter was completely pulled into the performance by the Inept Spies and Baron and Baroness Bombhurst taking the opportunity to have an in-character quick chat with her. The Childcatcher was complete panto baddie with a touch of Dick Dastardly thrown in for good measure, incredibly creepy and very sinister but absolutely my daughter's favourite character. She's always loved the Childcatcher and thankfully Ian "H" Watkins (yes, him from Steps) absorbed the role completely and was very obviously enjoying all the boos and hisses from the audience. One small gripe, and it isn't a big one, was Aled Jones. He was Charactacus Potts and while he is a fantastic singer, he is no actor. He has very little stage presence and quite obviously is not a dancer. The Old Bamboo scene was carried by the singers and dancers while you could almost see Aled Jones counting out the steps as he moved. If you get the chance to go and see this then take it, you won't regret it. It is truly an absolutely magical stage performance that will make you fall in love with the story all over again.