Review - Mary Poppins
Date Reviewed: 17th December, 2008
Venue: The Palace Theatre
When Mary Poppins finished its run in the West End last year, many regional theatregoers hoped that Cameron Mackintosh’s delightful show would go on tour.
Their wish has come true and everyone’s favourite Nanny is as magical and enchanting as she was on Old Compton Street.
If you have fond memories of the film starring Julie Andrews, then you are in for a treat, as many of the songs including “A Spoonful Of Sugar” and “Chim Chim Cher-ee” remain. At the same time, if you found the Disney movie slightly too sugary, Mackintosh’s stage production does have its fair share of dark moments to satisfy even the most ardent non-converts.
The plot remains the same, Mary Poppins arrives at the Banks’ household, determined not only to get the children into ’spit-spot’ shape, but also their long suffering parents. Despite initial resistance, Jane and Michael succomb to the charms of their mischevious and magical Au Pair.
We get to meet Mary’s friends, including upbeat Chimney sweep Bert, the lonely Birdwoman and the lively Mrs Corry. I say, meet as Bob Crowley’s superb set, means that you enter another world. You are whisked from the chimney tops, up into bright skies above and back again. Everything is done with such precision and sheer inventiveness, that you remain completely immersed throughout.
The cast are all superb. including the ensemble and swings. Martin Ball brings a real sense of regret as the father unable to relate to his neglected children. Likewise Louise Bowden enables you to empathise with his wife’s empty existance, in spite of the Banks’ wealth.
Isabella Sedgwick and William Pearce played the Banks’ children on the night I attended and they both exude charm. I also loved Valda Aviks’ poignant cameo as the Birdwoman and Tania Mathurin’s energetic, thigh slapping turn as Mrs Corry.
As for the leads, Daniel Crossley is cheeky and charming as Bert and in one scene, whereby he literally reaches the dizzy heights of the Palace Theatre, he is both brave and breathtaking. Lisa O’Hare brings a different spin to Mary; she is more mischevious and glides across the stage with a real glint in her eye and her vocals are simply superb.
Julian Fellowes‘ additions to the original book add more wit and a touch of darkness, which works wonderfully. Anthony Drewe’s new songs do not take anything away from the original material and the connection is seamless. And fans of Matthew Bourne are in for a real treat as his highly original choreography brings energy and vitality to an already practically perfect production.
Some scenes such as “Temper Temper” may be too scary for toddlers, but that aside, this is a first class family show, full of surprises, rendering it a must-see piece of theatre.
See Mary Poppins before she leaves the Palace in March, because if the first night standing ovations are anything to go by, tickets will be flying out of there faster than the super-nanny herself!
-Glenn Meads