Based on the 1964 film and book series by P L Travers, this tricky nanny debuted as a stage musical in 2004 but this latest touring production from Cameron Mackintosh and Disney doesn’t rest on reputation, presenting a practically perfect show for all ages staged on a spectacular set of mechanical wizardry designed by Bob Crowley, augmented by Luke Halls‘ stunning projections and Paul Kieve and Jim Steinmeyer’s impressive illusions, partnered with a toe tapping score delivered by a stellar cast fronted by a captivating leading lady.
Mary Poppins (Stefanie Jones) arrives at 17 Cherry Tree Lane as yet another nanny flees mischievous Banks children Jane (Matilda O’Sullivan) and Michael (Jude Martin-Thomas) as their delegating father George (Michael D Xavier) and submissive mother Winifred (Lucie-Mae Sumner) dutifully try to fulfill their delegated roles as provider and wife. The surprise arrival of Mary - who responds to the children’s letter which their father tore up and gifted to the fire - signals a journey of self improvement on an increasingly magical course, steered by a supremely sophisticated, uniquely confident and stylish font of practical wisdom. Jones is dryly witty, poised to perfection and armed with charm to captivate, with an array of glittering co-stars and stage magic to ensure she shines and enchants all.
Julian Fellowes has coupled Travers’ original with the best blockbuster film elements, creating a sympathetic retelling of a beloved heroine and a story which at its heart believes that anything can happen if you open yourself up to the possibility, and happiness is waiting if you only open your eyes to it. A deft hand of direction from Richard Eyre, assisted by Matthew Bourne (who also choreographs a spectacular ‘Step in Time’) ensures care to each scene, with attention lavished from a fantastic orchestra under Isaac McCullough.
The result is Sherman & Sharman’s celebrated film score being reworked yet remaining recognisable, blended with original songs from Anthony Dreww and George Styles which ebbs and flows with catchy melodies (‘Practically Perfect’, ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee’, ‘Jolly Holiday’, ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’) adorned by showstopping stompers (‘Playing the Game’, ‘Let’s Go Fly a Kite’, ‘Step in Time’, ‘Anything Can Happen’) as dull park walks transform into technicoloured lands with dancing statues, and toys come to life in dark, vengeful toy rebellion in a nightmarish nursery takeover as the children play the game, discovering positivity is preferable to nasty naughtiness, and there’s more to people than appearances through befriending jack-of-all-trades and all round charmer Bert (a superb Jack Chambers).
Fleshed out characters and dysfunctional lives are easily portrayed with beautiful moments of ethos amidst ample comedy and slapstick, giving substance to the underlying magic and extravaganza, with a few moments creating a lump in this reviewer’s throat. Creative and cast are seamlessly drilled and choreographed to bring the best practical tricks and technical magic together to ensure wide eyed delight from an invested, packed auditorium.
The sound of it may be something quite atrocious, but, like the titular character, it’s uniqueness is needed to sum up the treat this two hour trip into nostalgia, hope and good old-fashioned theatrical entertainment is - it’s ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’.
Mary Poppins is at Festival Theatre until Sat 15 Feb 2025.
© Lindsay Corr, January 2025.