It's a brave man who takes on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the battle to win local kids' hearts.

But Dr Dolittle has dozens of animal friends to share the stage in this fun musical.

His marvellous menagerie of costumed creatures and animatronic animals is certainly a hit.

Tommy Steele as the good doctor has too much charm to totally upstaged by the wildlife.

And he has strong support from Abigail Jaye and Conor Michael-Sheridan as his pals.

The story is slight, Dolittle learning to talk to animals then heading off to find a mythical sea snail.

And the songs, bar two or three showstoppers, are immediately forgettable.

But this show is really about the animals: and families will be thoroughly delighted by them.

* Until March 8. Phone 0844 848 2700.

David Knights