CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG

Shane | 22 September 2013 | Reply

Crown Theatre, Perth, Western Australia
Starring David Hobson, Rachael Beck, Shane Bourne, Jennifer Vuletic, Peter Carroll, Tyler Coppin, George Kapiniaris, Todd Goddard, Tony Farrell
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar

Based on the book by James Bond creator Ian Fleming, 2013’s incredible theatre run of the much loved children’s classic CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG is re-interpreted from Roald Dahl’s screenplay for Bond producer Cubby Broccoli’s 1968 movie by Ray Roderick and features Australia’s most celebrated tenor David Hobson and Rachael Beck in the lead roles.

Comedic and dramatic stalwart Shane Bourne adopts a Germanic accent for the part of chief baddie Baron Bomburst of Vulgaria and injects some good laughs into the part, along with the two Vulgarian spies (George Kapiniaris and Todd Goddard).

Full of much loved songs by Mary Poppins writers Richard & Robert Sherman, including the Oscar nominated title song, the show moves at a deliciously fast pace as Hobson’s Caractacus Potts and his nippers Jeremy & Jemima (played alternately by Declan Allen and Seamus Harrison, and Chloe Marlow and Stephanie Shaw) meet and fall instantly in love with the delightful Trulie Scrumptious (the stunning Beck).

The eponymous car is a magical creation indeed, costing a fortune and worth every cent as it gleams and shines, moves around the stage and even flies as required.

As the newly extended family – including Peter Carroll’s hilarious Grandpa Potts – venture to Vulgaria they encounter the wickedly evil Childcatcher (Tyler Coppin) and eventually confront Baron & Baroness Bomburst (Bourne and Jennifer Vuletic) face to face.

It’s a fun ride from start to finish, full of enough stage magic to have the kids gobsmacked for years to come, and equally hilarious and heart warming for the grown ups, with 100% ROCK MAG far from the only couples there sans ankle biters.