Oscar-winner Halle Berry: Standing ovation

Speaking before the show, Brosnan said: "I saw the film way back in 60s - I probably shouldn't say that - but I really enjoyed it then so I'm really looking forward to it."

And Bond co-star Berry added: "I'm really excited to see how they bring it to the stage."

Ball plays inventor Caractacus Potts, the role made famous in the film by Dick Van Dyke.

Ball broke theatrical tradition by making a speech thanking the audience for their response.

He told them the former film musical had been in each of the cast's hearts from the moment they had first seen it.

"We still adore it today," Ball said.

He paid tribute to the musical's writers Dick and Robert Sherman who said afterwards they had enjoyed it tremendously.

Spectacular effects

The role of the Child Catcher, who lures youngsters away from their parents and locks them up in dungeons, is played by Rocky Horror Show star Richard O'Brien.

Brian Blessed, Anton Rodgers and Nichola McAuliffe also make up the cast.

Pierce Brosnan said he enjoyed the original film

Eighteen-year-old newcomer Emma Williams makes her West End stage debut as Truly Scrumptious.

In the adaptation of the children's story, Potts invents a flying car which takes him and his family to the faraway kingdom of Vulgaria, where children are outlawed.

The original story was written by James Bond creator Ian Fleming.

The stage version is directed by Adrian Noble, artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Creating the illusion is the major event of the show - when Chitty flies above the audience you believe it

Michael Rose, producer

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

Spectacular special effects include the car leaving the stage and taking to the air.

Producer Michael Rose said it had been an "unbelievable challenge".

"Creating the illusion is the major event of the show - when Chitty flies above the audience you believe it," he said.

Disappointment

But some musical fans are disappointed that the production is a revival and that so few original musicals find success.

"There hasn't been a new musical in the West End that has made its money back with a new score since Miss Saigon 12 or 13 years ago," Julian Woolford, from Global Search for New Musicals, told BBC News 24.

"There is a lot of new talent out there but it is not being encouraged or developed in the right way."

He added: "If no-one had taken the risks with new music we would not have had Cats or Miss Saigon.

"One of the problems in this country is that the Arts Council has absolutely no money for developing new musicals."

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is already booking up until October.