Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a stage musical based on the 1968 film of the same name. Having run both in London and on Broadway the show has undertaken numerous tours and still holds the record for the most expensive stage prop ever produced!

And this is a story that's got an outstanding pedigree.

First written by James Bond author, Ian Fleming back in 1964, it was adapted for the big screen by Roald Dahl. It was a movie which featured a stellar cast, headed by the legend - Dick Van Dyke. Unbelievably, the show only made its stage debut in 2002, running for three years at the London Palladium before a stint on Broadway.

As the audience, which was nicely balanced between those aged under 10 and the (equally as excited) adults they were with took their seats, it became evident that they were waiting to be impressed. The need to pull this show off well is on par with Elphaba needing to fly in Wicked or the helicopter needing to appear overhead in Miss Saigon.

I think it’s fair to say all boxes were ticked!

First honourable mention should go to the teams responsible for lighting and set, because both of those areas - coupled with the orchestra - were outstanding. This show is a spectacle and that was emphasised by the production values it subscribed to. Interestingly, the show moved away from the somewhat ‘twee’ sets of previous incarnations and brought the visuals more up to date.

Gone are Truly’s motorbike (instead, just a reference to it offstage) and the traditional overkill of props in the sweet factory and in their place, a beautifully choreographed collection of crates which imply walkways and room settings.

That said, one thing this show will always struggle with is space. The production is touring only to larger theatres because half of the depth of the stage is taken up with the ‘main event’ so I imagine any compromise further forward only serves to enhance practicality.

However, the glue that holds the show together is undoubtably the cast; and there are some real stand out stars on stage this week.

Ore Oduba and Ellie Nunn lead the team as Caractacus and Truly respectively. Both are strong performers with good singing voices and are clearly safe hands to guide the others on stage. Ellie in particular has the mannerisms and comic timing down to a tee.

Jenny Gaynor and Martin Callaghan are a fantastic comedy addition as the Baroness and Baron who, along with their spies, add the token bad guys to the production. The skill here is to play the part with enough comedy to make us smile...but without over egging the pudding, which both did superbly.

Liam Fox is superbly cast as Grandpa Potts. Bringing an air of The Major from Fawlty Towers, his funny-yet-loveable persona is so warmly received; the complete opposite to our Child Catcher for the evening, Charlie Brooks. She played the part in a different way to many I've seen before her, and definitely brought a creepy and other-Earthly persons to the character.. 

However, for me, stand out performances came from Gracie Cochrane and Roshan Thomson as Jeremy and Jemima. Both are school children who clearly have a huge future ahead of them. Their efforts this evening had the audience captivated and rightly so - if this is the future of the British theatre industry then we're clearly heading in the right direction!

Chitty is nothing short of brilliant. Whether it's a solo trip or one with mate - you'll have a blast. Plus, if you've got kids of a certain age, they'll be transfixed…and if you’re an adult of any age, you will be too. There were more than a few tears of joy shed around us when the wings came out and she flew!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang runs until Saturday 9th March. For more information, or to get your tickets, head to birminghamhippodrome.com