Where do you start with a show like this? Not only is Mary Poppins the biggest theatrical event of the year, not only is it having it’s World Premier in Bristol but the sheer scale of the production is astonishing. With Disney and Cameron Mackintosh putting their money in, the hype for this show is massive. But I was worried, would Mary Poppins live up to this immense hype, the expectations were high, the excitement was mounting, the lights went down, the curtain rose and now nearly 24 hours since I saw the show I am still speechless.

I’m going to get if off my chest right away, I have seen a hell of a lot of theatre over the years, I love theatre, I adore it, and I have seen the world’s best productions yet nothing could prepare me for Mary Poppins; this is the best show I have ever seen. It is such a sight to behold, it brings such joy and happiness, if I may use a cliché for just one second, it is practically perfect in every way.

I am so delighted to heap massive amounts of praise on this production, because it is truly mind-blowing; theatre has never seen anything like this. Every part of this show is better than you would ever expect. The world-best team have been working on Mary Poppins and they’ve outdone themselves. The set, the lighting, the costumes, the book, the songs, the cast, there is not a single thing, which lets this production down.

The money spent is obvious from the moment the show begins, as the splendour of the lavish, vast and technologically astounding set hits you. Fortunately this is never a one-trick pony, the effects never seem like effects, they are part of the show, they are amazing, you sit there with open mouths wondering what is next, and every single effect and set outdoes what you saw before it. From the hilarious magic bag, to flights of fantasy, stepping in time, going up banisters and appearing from nowhere, you are constantly flabbergasted.

The phenomenal moving set, projections and effects (which I promise not too spoil, but suffice to say you will never have seen anything like it in your life…if throughout the show you think you’ve seen it all wait for Step In Time, and be prepared to almost cry with emotion, excitement and amazement!) alone won’t make this show, and it’s when they combine the cast and Matthew Bourne’s slick choreography that you get the best of the best. Jolly Holiday and Supercalifragalisticexpialidocious both spring to mind as stand out pieces of jaw dropping entertainment. Both are unexpected and along with A Spoonful Of Sugar they take the original film, and turn it into something even more magical.

The very best of the film is combined with the original book to create a story of substance, which will delight lovers of either, and those who’ve never heard of Mary Poppins. The strong and swift script by Julian Fellows keeps pace and Richard Eyre’s graceful direction avoids any musical clichés to create a sound piece of theatre. The Sherman brothers original music sounds as fresh now as it did when you first saw the film, and is delightfully supplemented with George Stiles and Anthony Drewe’s new songs and lyrics, which are evident in new classics such as Temper Temper (which manages to scare even the strongest of men!)

This re-telling of the classic PL Travers books gives even more depth to the film, and offers something for everyone. But at three hours long it’s advised those under 8 don’t attend. 

I’m still finding it difficult to put this show into words and the emotions I felt whilst watching it, more than once a tear came to my eye. I heard applause at the end of certain numbers that was louder than I’ve heard at the end of most musicals. The five-minute standing ovation says everything. Poppins is perfect, this is what all musicals should be like, and it’ll be a long time before we see anything else like this.

Every member of this cast is a star, it’s that simple. Laura Michelle Kelly has the task of filling Julie Andrews shoes as Mary Poppins herself. Many people were worried she would be too young, or doesn’t have enough experience, but to me she is Mary Poppins. Her performance has the character down to a tee, just the right amount of care and strictness; with the most beautiful voice you have ever heard she is effortless brilliant. Her partner in crime is everything Dick Van Dyke was, everything you didn’t want him to be, and everything you would ever want from the character of Bert, Gavin Lee is fabulous. His voice, his walk, his dancing, his acting, he is constantly pushing back the boundaries and delivers a knock out performance.  

David Haig finally adds the third dimension to the character of George Banks, and Linzi Hateley takes Winifred Banks and gives the performance of a lifetime. I honestly think the film would have been better with this cast as the leads. I cannot say how good they are, there are not enough superlatives to describe Laura, Gavin, David and Linzi’s performance…but then there are the kids, Jane and Michael Banks. Two colossal roles that make the story, Harry Stott and Charlotte Spencer take on this challenge. They have been given the gift of a beautiful script, with hilarious lines and believable dialogue, they have the gift of award winning choreography, and memorable songs, they perform with all this help and they give it their all. They are absolutely brilliant, they really are. You could loose those gifts they have been given and they would still nearly steal the show. They are everything you could ever wish Jane and Michael to be and perform with professionalism that would make any actor proud.

This really is the hardest review I have ever had to write, I don’t want to give anything away, I don’t want to sound too gushing but it’s impossible as there is not one bit of Mary Poppins I would change. This is the rarest of treats, a ideal, faultless and magical piece of theatre. You will never see anything like this again in your life, and nothing will be able to compare to the brilliance of Mary Poppins. Watch out award ceremonies, as Mary Poppins is going to be going home with everything.

What else can I say, if you haven’t got your ticket, you should be getting it now, as you will remember this for the rest of your life. 

Staging: 5 out of 5
Lighting: 5 out of 5
Cast: 5 out of 5
Costume: 5 out of 5
Music: 5 out of 5
Book: 5 out of 5
Overall: 5 out of 5

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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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