Flying in ... the show where the car's the star! (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Flying in ... the show where the car's the star!

6:00am Saturday 14th July 2007 in News By Emma Clayton

Fasten your seatbelts - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - is flying in to the Alhambra!

After four years enchanting audiences at the London Palladium, the much-loved family show is taking flight on a UK tour and Bradford is the only stop in Yorkshire.

The fantasmagorical' musical lands on the Alhambra stage early next year, with a cast and crew of more than 100 - including ten dogs - sensational sets and stunning hi-tech special effects, not least the world-famous car with wings that flies high above the stage.

Tickets go on sale from Monday for the month-long run.

The action-packed adventure is the story of a magical car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which starts life as a derelict racing car discovered by two children, Jeremy and Jemima, who persuade their father, eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, to restore it.

Together with Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts, they are taken on an amazing adventure by the car and, along the way, they try to outwit the Child Catcher and the dastardly Baron Bomburst of Vulgaria who tries to steal Chitty'.

The show, based on the classic 1968 film by James Bond creator Ian Fleming, starring Dick Van Dyke and Lionel Jeffries, features such numbers as Truly Scrumptious, Hushabye Mountain and the Oscar-nominated title song.

Nominated for three Olivier Awards, including Best Musical, Chitty broke every record at the London Palladium, becoming the longest-running show in the theatre's history.

It soared to even greater heights after opening on Broadway to critical acclaim and was nominated for five Tony Awards.

The cast for the UK tour has not yet been announced, but stars who have appeared in the West End production include Jason Donovan, Paul O'Grady, Wayne Sleep, Stephen Gateley and Richard O'Brien.

Adam Renton, Bradford Theatres general manager, said: "I am thrilled to be hosting this fantasmagoria' musical extravaganza.

"Chitty was hugely successful in the West End and I am delighted to be able to bring one of the most enjoyably, eye-popping spectacles London has ever seen to Bradford. This is a major coup for the city.

"The Alhambra is arguably one of the best theatres in the country and we make every effort to ensure we offer stage productions of the highest quality and variety, so that as many people as possible have the chance to enjoy the spectacle that is live entertainment.

"I am very excited about the show. I am a passionate believer in quality theatre and Chitty most certainly delivers this.

"It's a fantastic show for everybody and this enchanting tale will be sure to attract audiences from all over the north to Bradford."

Actress Emma Williams, who went to Idle theatre school Stage 84, played Truly Scrumptious in the original West End production in 2002, starring opposite Michael Ball.

Emma was 18 when she landed the role and became the youngest-ever leading lady in the original cast of a West End show.

"It was very daunting because I was the youngest cast member and an unknown - they took a huge risk in casting me. But it was fantastic experience," she said.

Adam Bracegirdle, of Heaton, joined the cast in 2004, working alongside Gary Wilmot and Lionel Blair.

"It's a great family show, audiences love it," said Adam. "I'd never seen the film so I went to the show with a fresh approach. The production has quite a new feel to it, but the most spectacular bit is still the flying car."

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang runs at the Alhambra from February 11 to April 5, 2008. Tickets go on sale on Monday from 9am. Contact the box office on (01274) 432000.