Mary Poppins, the musical, is a wonderful feel-good show - brimmed full of entertainment. A spectacle, this award winning production, sparkles from beginning to end with marvellous acting, singing and dancing. An enthralling production, with all the familiar songs, it succeeds in creating a 'fantastical' magical atmosphere where even the statutes come alive.
The cast is great. Lisa O'Hare is perfect as Mary Poppins, the Edwardian no-nonsense nanny with magical powers; Chloe Jones as Jane Banks and George Spittle-McGuire as her brother Michael were excellent as the mischievous children; Daniel Crossley's Bert was suitably modest; Deryn Edwards was good as the scary Miss Andrew and Martin Bell and Louise Bolden portrayed the troubled Mr and Mrs Banks very effectively.
In the group scenes the dancing was uplifting, enhanced by flamboyant costumes - indeed there are 215 costume changes for each performance.
Imaginative stage sets were effortlessly moved from one scene to the next and the chimney sweep's tap dance scene was particularly innovative with the sweeps and brooms silhouetted against the backdrop of roofs and chimneys.
And Mary Poppins flying over the audience at the end was awe inspiring. One of the most popular musicals in current times, it is ... supercalifragilisticexpialidocious... perfect entertainment.
Show runs til 6 December - thereafter the show goes on tour. Daily 7.30pm. Matinees: Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm