Standing ovation for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

~ Ananova - 17/04/02~

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has made its stage debut to a standing ovation throughout the London Palladium.

Many stars were in the audience including James Bond star Pierce Brosnan and Oscar winner Halle Berry.

At a cost of £6.2 million to stage, the show is set to be the most expensive British production ever seen in the West End.

Michael Ball broke theatrical tradition and made a speech thanking the audience for their response. He told them the former film musical had been in the cast's hearts from the moment they had first seen it.

"We still adore it today," he said.

He paid tribute to the musical's writers Dick and Robert Sherman who were in the audience.

Members of the cast of the original film, headed by Sally Anne Howe were brought onto the stage in tribute at the curtain call.

Michael Ball stars as Caractacus Potts, Brian Blessed is the Baron, and Richard O'Brien the spine-chilling child catcher.