The Musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Adrian Noble's spectacular pounds 6m stage version of the 1968 film stars Michael Ball as the cranky inventor Caractacus Potts who, with his flying car, his two young offspring and Miss Truly Scrumptious, finds himself in a land where children are anendangered species. Richard O'Brien plays the dastardly child-catcher.

"Here's a musical that gives a whole new meaning to term `star vehicle' . In terms of theatrical aerodynamics and sheer entertainment value, this show gives both the kids and adults a genuine Bang Bang for their Buck Buck and it passes its theatrical MoTwith literally flying colours." (Paul Taylor)

"Beautifully calculated to enthrall," marvelled the Evening Standard. "An exhilarating production that seems to release the inventive magic that was only fitfully realised in the film," commended The Guardian. The Times loved it too: "If Chitty the caris waterproof, gravity-proof and accident-proof, Chitty the musical is critic-proof."

Not so, according to the Daily Mail: "There is something finally unsatisfactory about a show that pleases so easily but fails to be a great musical." The DailyTelegraph had a different approach: "It is scandalous that Noble has taken three months out to make a personal fortune with this show at a time when his own company, the RSC, is undergoing the biggest shake-up in its history."

The London Palladium, London W1 (020 7494 5572). Booking through to 28 September.

Author not available, Review: The Musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. , Independent, 04-20-2002, pp 16.