Review: Chity Chitty Bang Bang, Her Majesty's Theatre David Hobson and Rachael Beck in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. THE undeniable star of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is the exquisitely designed flying car that cost more than $1 million, making it the most expensive stage prop in theatre history. Chitty won the audience's appreciation, leaving them gaping in childlike astonishment as this glossy, 1920s vehicle, carrying the human stars of the show, spread its orange wings and flew into a glittering night sky. The Melbourne opening night audience was adorned with celebrities from stage, screen, radio and sports, but two of the celebs - Todd Woodbridge and Debra Byrne - were there to see their children on stage. Woodbridge's son Beau and Byrne's daughter Lucille played the perky, wide-eyed and precocious Jeremy and Jemima Potts, who cheerfully sung Truly Scrumptious and Teamwork. David Hobson, a renowned tenor of the opera stage, plays Caractacus Potts, eccentric inventor and creator of the enchanted car, and his silken vocal tone resonates in the sweetly moving lullaby, Hushabye Mountain. Hobson carries the Sherman brothers songs beautifully, particularly the title tune, but his acting is limited and his dialogue uncomfortable. He lacks the clown skill required for the physical comedy, and looks more startled than eccentric. Rachael Beck, as Truly Scrumptious, Potts' aptly named love interest, is pert and delicious with a warm, pretty voice, and her rendition of Doll On A Music Box, with its duet with Hobson as a jack in the box, is a sweet highlight. The first half is slow to get cracking, but the comedic duo, George Kapiniaris and Todd Goddard as the Vulgarian spies Goran and Boris, provide big laughs, as do a scampering rabble of scruffy dogs and a line of panting runners who are repeatedly passed by Chitty on the road. The second half is completely stolen by the exceptional vocal talent and impeccable comic delivery and timing of Jennifer Vuletic as the haughty Baroness Bomburst of Vulgaria, singing the silly love duet ChuChi Face and leading the chorus in The Bombie Samba. Vuletic shifts hilariously from sexy lover, to heartless child-hater, then into a whimpering mess at any mention of the c word: children. Alan Brough is entertainingly childlike as her husband, Baron Bomburst, a teutonic man-child who adores toys and blowing things up, but Brough's character lacks the contrasting bombastic militarism that ironically highlights his naivety. Peter Carroll's Grandpa Potts is a delightfully potty old British military man, and Tyler Coppin is reminiscent of a Tim Burton movie character as the scary, spider-like Child Catcher. The Sherman brothers' musical styles include 1900s music hall, lullabies, Latin beats, children's songs and peppy dance tunes, but the most memorable is the title song. Families who loved Mary Poppins and its songs by the Shermans will enjoy this production, but Chitty Chitty Bang Bang lacks the array of award-winning, unforgettable songs, electrifying dance routines and magical characters that hallmark Poppins. CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Her Majesty's Theatre, until early April Rating: ★★★½