» Stage: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang we love you, sings Andrew Kay as the hit show flies into Eastbourne
The concept of the stage musical is a rapidly changing thing. Where once upon a time a show would start on stage and, if successful, make a transfer to the silver screen, now they are likely to have started life as film and make the reverse journey. Some even start life on screen without songs and in the transfer have them added.
There are some notable major film musicals that have done this: Grease, Fame, and even Seven Brides For Seven Brothers started life as a Hollywood screen musical. Most of them make a good transition too, although one or two fall flat. There are also those screen musicals that seemed destined to never make to to the stage. That was until a few years ago when producer Michael Rose set about putting Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on stage. It was a big ask. The songs are good and the story is excellent, who would expect less from Roald Dahl? But the big question though would be could they make Chitty Chitty Bang Bang fly? Not just the show, the actual iconic car. Rose and his team invested hard in the production and in the technology. The car’s ability to fly was going to be key to the show’s success. When it opened in London at the Palladium, it was to universal acclaim. Audiences and critics alike were thrilled and Chitty flew, if not like a bird, like a flying car. The effect was impressive with the boat-like vehicle soaring out above the stalls, dipping and turning as it did.
The show ran for four years in the West End before embarking on a national tour and now it is flying into Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre. The scale of the production means the show has only been touring large-scale venues around the UK and will be in Eastbourne for three weeks only.
With a cast, orchestra and crew of 100, including ten dogs, sensational sets and stunning special effects, the action-packed adventure is the story of the flying car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Everyone will love singing along to Chitty’s songs, which include ‘Toot Sweets’, ‘Truly Scrumptious’ and the Oscar -nominated title song ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’.
The Congress Theatre also has an extra special treat for those who come along, as the foyer has recently become home to the GEN II car that was used in the Broadway production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – a real piece of theatre history. GEN II was shipped over from America and has been sat in a warehouse in Manchester since it arrived two years ago. This is the first time GEN II has been on display in the UK but the car will only be in Eastbourne until the show leaves in September, so this is your chance to admire a magical mechanical wonder, before it flies away!
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, Wednesday 18 August – Saturday 4 September. Monday 7pm, Tuesday–Saturday, 7.30pm. Thursday and Saturday Matinees, 2.30pm. £15.50–£38.50, 01323 412000, www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk.
