It was one of the most iconic Disney movies on the big screen and now, the timeless story of Mary Poppins is gracing the stage at Birmingham Hippodrome for their Summer season.
I don't care what the rules are - this show deserves six stars.
Mary Poppins is a fusion of elements of the 1964 Disney movie and the original series of children's books by P. L. Travers.
The original West End production opened in December 2004 and won two Olivier Awards, one for Best Actress in a Musical and the other for Best Theatre Choreographer. A Broadway production with a near-identical creative team opened in November 2006, with only minor changes from the West End version. It received seven Tony nominations, including Best Musical, and won for Best Scenic Design in a Musical.
I don't think I'm over-exaggerating when I say that this production is quite literally the most magical thing I've ever seen on stage. Having caught glimpses of the West End production, there was a concern that many of those moments of wonder - and the technology behind them - may not travel well and we might get a slimmed down version. How wrong can I be?!
Forget practically perfect, this show is a spectacular, feel‑good masterclass in musical theatre.
Stefanie Jones embodies the iconic nanny with extraordinary poise, vocal power, and charm. Her mannerisms, facial expression and timing mimic Julie Andrews so beautifully but stop short of becoming a caricature.
Her voice is captivating, and her handling of complex choreography is mind-blowing. Working predominantly in a partnership with Jack Chambers as Bert, he delivers a refreshingly charismatic, comedic version of Bert with an astonishing aptitude for dance!
Similarly to Jones, Chambers' vocals on songs like like Chim Chim Cher‑ee and, in particular, Step In TIme are breathtaking.
They lead a cast of exquisite performers, especially our to youngest cast members; Olive Harrison and Oliver Benson as Jane and Michael Banks respectively. The pair are superstars with confident, assured performances with Benson in particular delivering some killer lines!
Set designer, Bob Crowley’s folding doll‑house aesthetic brings the Banks home to life in storybook fashion, unfolding on stage with explosion of colour, movement, and mechanical magic that astonishes young and old alike. In fact the choreography was so perfectly timed and the scene changes so exquisitely executed, this was a non-stop cascade of colour and joy with shocked looks on the faces of the adults, let alone their children!
Walking into the auditorium tonight, I've never been so excited to see a show. Such is the enormity and spectacle of the job at hand, it felt like we'd sat through an entire production by the time the interval rolled round! However, when those first chords of the overture ring out, and when you see the scene setting up for Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, your entire body develops goosebumps upon goosebumps.
And the ending...is just the greatest conclusion I've seen to a story which fights to stay true to the nuances we know and love.
If you’re looking for a show brimming with magic, emotional heart, dazzling dance and a sublime soundtrack, this one delivers without compromise.
Mary Poppins runs at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 23rd August. For more information, or to get your tickets, visit birminghamhippodrome.com.
