Car musical flies!

The longest running stage musical in the history of theatre, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", came to Singapore with a big bang! It opened at the Esplanade on 2 November, and the run has since been extended to 9 December. The musical is based on a story by Ian Fleming, but it was Cubby Broccoli who produced the film in 1968 that made the flying car a household name.

INTRODUCTION
Two children, Jeremy and Jemima, fascinated with an old battered car which was a three-time Grand-prix winner beg their father, Caractacus Potts (Kevin Kennedy), an inventor, to purchase it. Caractacus Potts then converts the car into the most splendid, elegant vehicle the children have ever seen. Their trip to the beach together with Truly Scrumptious (Marissa Dunlop) turns out to be the adventure of a lifetime. But it is when they make a trip to Vulgaria to rescue their kidnapped Grandpa Potts that the car reveals its ability to float on water, and even fly.

HIGHLIGHTS
I have no complaints about this show. The musical includes scenes that are not in the film. What's more, the cast comprises more than 70 people and 8 adorable dogs. What was most fascinating was the stunning set and props animating Caractacus Potts' amazing inventions, and creating the setting of the play that takes place in old-time England. The gushes, squeals and applause from the audience when the car took off were priceless.

Also, expect to sing along with the familiar tunes of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", "Toot Sweets", "Truly Scrumptious", and my all-time favorite, "You Two". The sound effects were superb, as were the splendid lighting and visual effects. The 'live' orchestra added much pomp, and created the different moods for various scenes, pushing the whole musical to a majestic crescendo right at the finale.

VERDICT
The tickets are definitely worth the money, if you don't mind an audience full of little kids. The audience during my show was extremely enthusiastic and believe it or not, the catcalls, the standing ovation for the cast and boos for the Child-catcher (Richard O'Brien) were all a major part of the experience!

This musical will certainly be enjoyed by both young and old; for those who love children, as well as for those who hate them (the Child-catcher might be your idol). It is especially nostalgic for those who enjoyed "Mary Poppins", "Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", and even Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (in fact, Dahl himself wrote part of the screenplay for "Chitty" in 1968).

I'd raise more thumbs up if I had more than just two!

By Clara Ang