Stefanie Jones in MARY POPPINS. Photo Credit: Danny Kaan.
Combining flawless performances, breath-taking staging, and old-school showbiz glamour, MARY POPPINS is a masterclass in theatrical magic.
It is easy to see why MARY POPPINS the musical has won so many awards from Oliviers to Tonys and entranced audiences from Broadway and the West End to productions across the globe; it is simply perfect in every way. The musical is not simply a night out, nor is it merely a romp through a childhood classic. Put simply, it is the pinnacle of musical theatre with old fashioned Hollywood style show stoppers where not one shoe goes untapped and not one sleight of hand is obvious.
Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers as Mary Poppins and Bert respectively fit their roles like a glove with an ease that makes not one movement or word look anything other than perfectly natural. Michael D Xavier and Lucie-Mae Sumner as Mr and Mrs Banks are an excellent double act with the gruffness of Mr Banks being countered by the softness of Mrs Banks. Then, of course, we have Jane and Michael Banks as they call themselves in their advertisement for a nanny. Jane, played by Katie Ryden, is the perfect foil for Charlie Donald’s Michael, a cheeky turn in his professional debut, with both children showing a confident grasp of their roles and the humour of the musical.
Jack Chambers as Bert in MARY POPPINS. Photo Credit: Danny Kaan
As far as the dancing is concerned, what wonderful dance numbers there are. This is a big, solid, technicolour musical with every bit of old style glamour you can think of. There is an amazing supporting cast of dancers who are everything from bank clerks to statues and the routines are impeccably executed. There is nothing you can say about them other than “wow”. They are simply a masterclass in the golden age of musicals and it is a joy to watch.
MARY POPPINS is full of humour and moments of slapstick and the pairing of cook Mrs Brill (Rosemary Ashe) and butler Robertson Ay (Jacob Ritzema) is straight out of the comedy duo playbook. We also get treated to a nice little cameo role of The Birdwoman by the legendary Patti Boulaye who has lost none of her stage presence and powerful voice.
Charlie Donald, Stefanie Jones and Florence Swann in MARY POPPINS. Photo Credit: Danny Kaan.
However one of the undoubted stars of the show is simply the set and stage effects. Along with new musical numbers by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe which compliment the Sherman brothers original score the staging is simply breath-taking. Bob Crowley as scene and costume designer has simply outdone much that has been seen before. The staging is clever, the costuming sumptuous and along with Hugh Vanstone’s atmospheric lighting designs and the energetic, fun and inventive choreography by Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear this whole production is a feast for the senses.
Cameron Mackintosh has, with P L Travers’s blessing, created something very special which Richard Eyre has directed note perfect. This truly is an absolute spectacle of musical theatre full of laughs, pathos, surprise and seriously good dance routines. To see this musical is to step back into childhood when anything was possible, everything was bright and it really will blow you away; even if you don’t have the ability to fly with an umbrella.
MARY POPPINS runs at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, until 17 May 2025.
Gillian has a Masters degree in Film Theory and a background in music journalism. A veteran of gig promotion, she loves nothing more than a darkened room, a packet of Revels and a good play. By day she works in medico-legal administration, by night she escapes into theatre for relaxation.
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