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2 weeks into the 'get in' Nowt2Do.Com were invited to peep behind the scenes of The Bristol Hippodrome as it undergoes the transformation to bring the magical Mary Poppins to life. Whilst there we caught up with Simon Roberston, the production manager for Cameron Mackintosh who gave us an insight into this mammoth task.

Walking through the 'elephant doors' onto the stage the first thing you notice is the massive depth of the Hippodrome's stage...it's massive. Then you are struck by just how many people are busy working setting up the grid, fixing on lights, building trusses, welding, creating a floor, and putting together the roof of the nursery and 19 Cherry Tree Lane.

Simon told us where they were in the build, "The team are currently in the first stages of the set build, we spent the first week mainly preparing the stage area and now is the first time that we have started to build some of these massive set pieces." "We were here not long ago with Miss Saigon and it's great to be back in Bristol and seeing Mary Poppins come to life." 

"The task of building everything and putting it together is not an easy one, this is the first time the whole set will be put together, the first time we will see it as a whole, and the first time we'll find out if it all actually fits and works. There have been numerous contractors working on the show, and each of the 3 major set pieces are slowly coming to life. There is a huge amount of sets, automation and special effects to rig and we only have till the 23rd of August, where the cast will come for the first time to the theatre." 

"I'm going to be really proud when it finally all comes together, I can't wait to see the house and it's three stories built and on stage. The planning has taken so long, and to see it start to take shape, there are about 45/50 people working on the build, and I think we'll be packing it all away in 30 trucks for the London move."

Of course, Nowt2Do had to ask the question we're asking everyone...what is your favourite song from the show...Simon's response, "It's a new one sung by Mrs Banks...but I'm not telling you anything more than that...you'll have to wait till it's on stage!"

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Review

World Premier Feature

Your Say

Behind The Scenes - Week 2 of the 'get in' & interview with Production Manager Simon Robertson.

Cast Announcement

Original Composer Richard Sherman Interview

Mary Poppins Comes Alive!

Read about the Mary Poppins Auditions

Read our interview with Resident Director James Powell

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