Theatre
In with a ban
FOR TWO HOURS WE'RE ALL FODDER FOR 11-IE CHILD CATCHER
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is much more than a car
A forty-year old children’s fable by Ian gemng has an enduring appeal. Now, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is the subject of a popular stage production. Kelly Apter goes along.
l w ill come as no surprise to learn that lor director. .\drian .\'ohle the starting point l‘or this stage musical was the lilm. The original (ll/lit got so much right. it‘s hard to imagine aii_\onc changing it tor the better. The lilm had it all lo\c. intrigue. humour. children. animals and the mother ol' all gadgets. ('hitt) hcrscll'. .\ll ol which surxixc intact in this da/xling stage musical. which has set up residence in lidinhurgh lot the nc\l three months. (‘liilli l'e\ er has hit the capital in a wa_\ l‘cw other shows could manage. .\ replica car stands proudl} down at ()cean ‘l‘erminal. pro\ iding photo
opportunities lor _\oung and old. .»\ hlankcl cmcrage ol~
posters announce the great car's arri\al in town. and llte \litl\\ is \il'lllall} sold otll despite Ito child concessions hel'ore .lanuar}. .'\nd why? Because (littlr is more than just a car. more than just a show met) its part ol our childhood. and l'or two hours in the Ma} house. were all l'odder l'or the (‘hild ('atcher.
.\s .\ou would e\pccl lrom a musical ol' this scale. the \t‘ls are laltlastic. .\ \asl metal windmill spins in the lutekground ol' the l’otls' l'amil) home. with a large spiral staircase leading lo the kids. lk‘tll’titllll. l.il\L‘\\i\c. at the Scrumptious lactot‘). huge copper sweet boilers
lower met the cand} stripe costumed dancers. But ol'
herscll is the main attraction. l’arlicularl} when she spreads her wings and l'lies tip into the air. tipping hcr occupants pcl'llttllsl} l'rom side to side. llcatlligllls hla/ing. against a stair) night hackdrop. the el'l'ecl is ama/ing.
ll’s a lot lot the cast to li\c tip to. heing mere mortals in the lace ol such mechanical genius. Yet the} do so
course. (hill)
96 THE LIST
admirahl}. and stll‘pl'isillgl) )tlll don't miss the original actors from the lilm. (iregor l’isher is exer) inch the genial old grandpa. an e\-militar_\‘ man with hall. his brain \llll hack in India with the regiment. .loe .\lcl’adden is a )tttlllg hut enllttisiaslic (‘aractacus l’otts. with a surprisineg strong singing \oice. 'l‘ruly Scrumptious is just that. htit with a l’eist) edge that pulls no punches. The kids are suitahl} adorahle. as are
the Hull} pooches which imade the stage at the end of
"l'oot Sweet’. While the (‘hild ('atcher has been given
a couple ol'e\tra twists that keep )tlll on your toes. and
\tilgarian dtio Boris and (ioran are l‘unnier than ever. Director .\'ohle comes to (‘liillr alter l5 years with
the Rtwal Shakespeare (‘ompan_\. adding a lotieh of
class to the project. And Dana Broccoli. wile ol‘ lilm producer .-\lhert. helped pill the show together prior to her death last year. In short. the show has been a labour ill low which honours. but doesn‘t try to replicate. the lilm. All but one ol the original songs has been lel't in. with a couple ol‘ new numbers added including the cracking “'l‘eamwork‘ h} the kiddies hiding otit in the sewer.
\Vatching ('lii'llr on DVD from the eomlort of _\our living room is one thing. but sitting in the 3000 sealer l’la)house with the car li\e onstage renders _\ou part of a palpable collecli\e e.\cilemenl. lan l’lenling ma} ha\e gone on to use some ama/ing gadgetr} with Bond. but when he wrote the stor_\ ol~ ('lii'rn' (ill/IT [lune Ill/ire he did more than iment a car an icon tll‘ clliltlllood.
he created
Edinburgh Playhouse until Sat 24 Feb 0000
Hit
THE BEST THEATRE & DANCE
* Chitty-Chltty Bang Bang Delight at the adventures of the marvel car, its winsome passengers and their tuneful voices while you hiss the Childcatcher. Spectacle combines with comedy and music, and the addition of some well-kent Scottish faces makes for a good night out. Playhouse, Edinburgh, until Sat 24 Feb.
3|! Dick McWhlttlngton A thoroughly enjoyable panto from the Brunton Theatre, which features many a delight for the kids (sweety shower included) and the odd gag for grown ups, too. Well paced and finely acted. this is a good night out for one and all. Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, until Sat 30 Dec. See review, page 99.
* Aladdin The old jokes are still the best ones. if you like your panto done in the good old fashioned way, then you can hardly go wrong with this little number. Gerard Kelly, Eric Potts and Julie (Miss Hoolie) Wilson Nimmo lead a strong cast in this time-bending production. King's Theatre. Glasgow, until Sat 73 Jan. See review, page 98.
* Cinderella The King's panto offers all the delights we’ve come to expect from it over many years. Andy Gray and Allen Stewart are in top form in the leads, and there's no shortage of boisterous humour to keep things ticking along. King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, until Sat 21 Jan. See review, page 99.
Ill Wullie Whittington The Tron was dealt a blow when its regular panto collaborator. Forbes Masson, decided he wasn't playing any more, but the theatre has managed to produce a cracker even without him. As we‘ve come to expect, it’s a post—modern affair, involving our hero entering a singing competition that is suspiciously similar to The X factor, but it still comes through with a great plot and silly gags that should have the kids in stitches. Tron Theatre, Glasgow, until Fri 7 Jan. See review, page 98.