The feature show for the festive season 2006/2007 at the Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre was ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ and although it was there for some time I didn’t actually manage to get to see it until its closing week.

As usual with this sort of show it was such a shame that I was unable to go back and see it again. Spectacular from start to finish, the cast, the sets, scene changes, and of course the car, the undoubted star of the show ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ herself.

Scottish actor Joe McFadden makes a long awaited return home to play the main character ‘Caractacus Pots’, the role made famous in the film by Dick VanDyke. Joe’s acting talents were obvious from previous TV appearances but I had not seen him live on stage and definitely had not been aware of his superb voice. His rakish good looks were the perfect foil for Marissa Dunlop as ‘Truly Scrumptious’. Marissa herself has had many parts in musicals over the years.

They are joined by Gregor Fisher and Barbara Rafferty two very popular and well know Scottish actors as ‘Grandpa Potts’ and ‘Baroness Bomburst’ and a host of talented performers of all ages.

The children ‘Jemima and Jeremy Potts’ were both played by three children, Alexandra Adie, Fiona Cassie and Katie Hill as ‘Jemima’ and Lewis Jones, Craig McCorquodale and Zachary Stewart as ‘Jeremy’.

The sets, costumes, choreography and direction, along with this talented cast and orchestra and the special effects make this a veritable feast for the senses. I hope it is not too long before I can get to see it again.