OVER the years I've clocked up a lot of mileage seeing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

From the film version to the amateur interpretations to West End and UK touring shows.

This new revival is by far the slickest, funniest and best overall production I have experienced to date.

From the first time we see our four- wheeled, iconic car in all its glory the audience are ready for a celebration of  pure creative escapism. The vehicle itself received a rousing round of applause.

Liverpool audiences especially love to laugh and sing along (when invited). On press night the very versatile cast and crew could not -  and did not  - put a foot wrong.

A superb ten piece orchestra, dazzling choreography and polished performances together with sublime special effects make this one of the family highlights of the year.

There is also a very funny adapted script which the cast clearly relish allowing for some subtle ad-libbing during the two hour and forty minutes running time.

We meet inventor Caractacus Potts played on opening night by the very accomplished Callum Train. His chemistry with Truly Scrumptious (Ellie Nunn) is  . . . well, truly scrumptious.

His two children are played by a rotating team of six boys and six girls all of them delightfully versed in being suitably sweet and endearing.
All have the ahh factor.

There's an abundance of brilliantly bonkers characters in splendid costumes, too.

The Vivienne -  the much-loved superstar drag artiste - is a wickedly  good Childcatcher featuring spot on timing.

Songs from the legendary Sherman Brothers remain classics from Hushabye Mountain to Chu-Chi Face the jaunty title number.

And there's the star of the show -  a gleaming Chitty Chitty Bang Bang who actually flies. Yes, it magically glides across the stage before and after the interval and for a fabulous finale.

When the car took it's dipped headlight bow at the end I felt a real burst of childhood nostalgia.

Welcome back our fine, four- fendered friend. Fly on Chitty ....

5 Stars
Sparkling and spectacular  - Top Gear.
Until October 20.
Atgtickets.com