RYEDALE Youth Theatre’s production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is soon to take to the air at the Milton Rooms, Malton, after months of rehearsals.

Billed as "the most fantasmagorical stage musical in the history of everything", it is being staged by director/choreographer Chloe Shipley, assistant director Lauren Hood and new musical director Rachael Clark from April 17 to 20.

The musical is based on MGM's 1968 adventure fantasy film, directed by Ken Hughes and written by Roald Dahl and Hughes, inspired loosely by Ian Fleming’s 1964 novel Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

James Bond novelist Fleming wrote his short story about a flying car for his only son, Caspar, while convalescing from his first heart attack in 1961.

"The secret of the success of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is that it’s got broad appeal: a terrific adventure story for children, nostalgia and romance for older people and a great big heart," says Chloe.

"Our company has to invest in the central theme of the show, which is that anything is possible with enough faith, courage and trust.That's why the productions needs lots of energy and our multi-talented young members have limitless energy."

In the company will be Romy Freer as Truly Scrumptious; Sam Spencer as Caractacus Potts; Jess Scholefield as the Childcatcher; Sam Piercy as Grandad; Abi Rennison as the Toymaker, Michael Williamson and Jack Robinson as Jeremy and Ruby Jackson and Eloise Myers as Jemima.

Further roles go to Ben Greenhough as The Baron and Hermione Collier-Hield as The Baroness; Callum Hodgson and Josh Lewis as the Spies, Boris and Goran; Lola Weatherill, Ella Piercy, Matilda Gledhill,Emily Cooper and Izzy Cooke as the Inventors;

Key to the show is Chitty, the flying car, created by stage manager Piddy Young, who is also the set construction's master carpenter, and his grandson Matt Kemp.

"We're so looking forward to the launch on Friday when our Chitty Car arrives at the Milton Rooms, courtesy of Ian Brown Tyres on their lorry," says publicist Barbara Wood.

"Important to the show too are wardrobe mistress extraordinaire Yvonne Young; property manager and set painter Jane Gledhill, and an excellent administration and production team who work tirelessly ‘to get the show on the road.’ Not to mention the rest of our wonderful family volunteers, who are essential to the everyday running of the production."

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's songs are "so clever and beautifully constructed," reckons Chloe. "Many of them are high energy and the show features such big production numbers as the tap-dancing Me Ol' Bamboo’ and the Bombie Samba, which the Baroness leads, and then of course there’s Toot Sweets, the ballet number," she says.

Tickets for the 7.15pm evening performances and 2pm Saturday matinee are on sale at £14, concessions £12, at yourboxoffice.co.uk.

Charles Hutchinson