Mary Poppins
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Introduction to "Mary Poppins"
"Mary Poppins" premiered in London’s West End at the Prince Edward Theatre on December 15, 2004, following previews from December 7, and ran for 1,250 performances until January 12, 2008. With music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and a book by Julian Fellowes, this musical adapts P.L. Travers’ books and the 1964 Disney film. Directed by Richard Eyre, it starred Laura Michelle Kelly as Mary and Gavin Lee as Bert, winning the 2005 Olivier for Best New Musical. Revived at the Prince Edward from October 23, 2019, to January 8, 2023, for 640 shows, its blend of nostalgia and stage magic including "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" has made it a West End classic, enchanting families across two runs.
The Creative Team Behind the Show
The Sherman Brothers’ iconic film score, with Stiles and Drewe’s additions like "Practically Perfect," pairs with Julian Fellowes’ book, grounding Travers’ whimsy in Edwardian grit. Richard Eyre directed, with Matthew Bourne’s choreography earning a 2005 Olivier bringing rooftop dance to life. Laura Michelle Kelly’s Mary and Gavin Lee’s Bert led the 2004 cast, with David Haig as George Banks and Linzi Hateley as Winifred. The 2019 revival featured Zizi Strallen and Charlie Stemp, produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Disney Theatricals. Bob Crowley’s sets chimneys to starry skies and Natasha Katz’s lighting conjured a storybook London, amplifying the magic of a team that balanced Disney’s gloss with theatrical depth.
A Spoonful of Magic in London
In 1910 Cherry Tree Lane, the Banks family teeters: George, a stern banker, and Winifred clash with unruly kids Jane and Michael, cycling through nannies until Mary Poppins descends via umbrella. She transforms their world with "A Spoonful of Sugar," joined by chimney sweep Bert for adventures statues dance ("Jolly Holiday"), rooftops gleam ("Step in Time"), and words dazzle ("Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"). Mary’s rival, Miss Andrew, brings menace ("Brimstone and Treacle"), but George softens after a bank scare, firing Mary who departs skyward, leaving a kite-flying family healed. The 2019 revival darkened the tone, emphasizing Travers’ edge, yet ended with Poppins’ triumphant ascent a magical fix for chaos.
Performance and Reception
The 2004 debut dazzled, with The Times calling it “a triumph of theatrical wizardry,” running 1,250 shows and snagging two Oliviers Best Musical and Choreography. Kelly’s “radiant” Mary and Lee’s “agile” Bert won hearts, with a cast recording hitting UK charts. The 2019 revival, post-Broadway’s 2,619-show run, earned five-star raves WhatsOnStage dubbed it “practically perfect” logging 640 performances despite a COVID pause. Critics occasionally found it “overstuffed,” but audiences adored the flying nanny and rooftop spectacle, drawing over 1.5 million across both runs. Strallen’s 2020 Olivier nod and a 2007 Variety special cemented its status as a family favorite, its magic undimmed by time.
Legacy in West End Theatre
"Mary Poppins" blends Disney’s sparkle with West End craft, its nine 2007 Tony nominations including Best Musical and 1,890 total London performances ranking it among Theatreland’s elite. A 2006 Broadway debut, global tours Australia, Japan and a 2023 UK tour with Strallen spread its reach, seen by over 12 million worldwide. The Sherman score endures Julie Andrews’ film legacy meets Stiles-Drewe’s freshness while its cast albums top charts. From Prince Edward to international stages, it’s inspired family musicals like "Matilda," its umbrella soaring as a symbol of theatrical joy. A West End staple twice over, "Mary Poppins" proves a spoonful of magic keeps London spellbound, practically perfect in every way.