Ian Fleming`s `Chitty Chitty Bang Bang` show heading to Edinburgh

It is the high-flying stage adaptation of one of the best-loved family films of all time - and it is heading to Edinburgh.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the action adventure about a madcap inventor and his flying car, was a smash hit musical in London's West End for more than three and a half years - reports The Scotsman.

The £6 million production was seen by more than three million people during a record-breaking run at the Palladium, which ended in September.

Now the extravaganza - which uses spectacular special effects to create the illusion of a flying car on stage - is expected to become one of the most popular shows ever to be staged at the Edinburgh Playhouse.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is the latest in a string of major shows confirmed for the venue next year, including Mamma Mia!, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, the Rod Stewart-inspired musical Tonight's The Night, Footloose and Grease.

The Playhouse, on Greenside Place, has landed a major coup as it is the only Scottish venue planned for the tour.

The tour will start a three-month run in Edinburgh next December, before transferring to further dates in Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol and Southampton.

The cast for the Edinburgh production has yet to be confirmed, although previous stars in the West End run have included Michael Ball, Jason Donovan, Gary Wilmot, Russ Abbott, Alvin Stardust and former Boyzone pin-up Stephen Gateley.

It is expected to be one of the most successful shows of all time at the Playhouse, where productions such as Mamma Mia!, Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables have packed in the crowds over the years.

James Haworth, general manager at the Playhouse, said: "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was a massive success in London and it's also going to be absolutely huge here. We've got a lot of other great shows coming up next year, but there's no doubt this is going to be absolutely fantastic for the Playhouse.

"As far as we know it's going to be the same production which is going on tour, although we won't know the casting details until much nearer the time."

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the stage musical, is an adaptation of the celebrated 1968 movie, which in turn was based upon the book by James Bond creator Ian Fleming.

Bond film producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli was behind the film, which starred Dick Van Dyke in the main role as Professor Caractacus, and it was his family that led the plans for the stage version.

The car which features in the stage show - which has a cast of more than 70, including ten dogs - weighs a tonne and a half and is the most expensive prop in British theatre history.

More than £70 million was taken at the box office during its London run, which enjoyed the longest run ever at the Palladium, beating both Oliver and Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

The show features a string of the songs from the film including the title number, Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets and Hushabye Mountain.

Final dates for the Playhouse run are expected to be confirmed within the next few months, before tickets go on sale, although it is planned to run from early December next year to the end of February.

A spokeswoman for Visit- Scotland said: "Edinburgh is a major centre for culture, events and festivals and these big productions are very much part of an exciting and growing scene.

"We know that people come here for shows and stay in the city as part of the experience so this is a great way of bring people to the city, particularly during quieter months."

Thanks to `JP` for the alert.

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