P.L.Travers, by all accounts, cried at the opening of the Disney adaptation of her famous children’s novel – and not in a nice way. She was a stickler for accuracy and precision and wanted her book recreated almost exactly as she had envisioned it – Disney had other plans. Disney often did. In reinventing her novel (and ignoring Traver’s demands) he gave the world one of its most beloved family films which has woven itself in the DNA of our shared culture for over sixty years. It gave us those indelible Sherman Brothers songs coupled with an endearing, cute plot and one of the worst cockney accents committed to celluloid. So when Cameron Mackintosh landed on the idea of staging the show he not only took on the behemoth of a cultural icon, the might of Disney but, perhaps most intimidatingly, he would be taking on P.L.Travers – who insisted no one who had been involved in the Disney version came near the stage one. Cameron agreed.
Unbelievably, it’s 21 years since the practically perfect Poppins popped on the West End under Richard Eyre’s post-RSC direction with Julian Fellows strait-laced book and songs by the inventive Stiles and Drewe – and its latest regeneration which continues to delight, entrance, bedazzle and move. Stefanie Jones is the perfect personification of Poppins in every way and Jack Chambers embodies everything we know and love about Bert. George Banks, played by Michael D.Xavier, lends surprising physicality to his role – which, for those who know Poppins properly, is the key element to the story. “Ah,” Travers once corrected someone, “You thought she’d come to save the children…” Sarah-Marie Maxwell is delicious and endearing as Winifred Banks. But it’s the children – Jane Banks played by Olive Harrison and Michael Banks played by Oliver Benson – who really prove a wonder with two thoroughly realised performances both with an unerring knack for comedy. Patti Boulaye is exquisite as the Bird Lady delivering one of the most beautiful songs in the Disney playbook with precision and charm. Rosemary Ashe is sublime as Mrs Brill with her dopey side kick, Ruairidh McDonald.
There are moments of profound theatrical magic woven perfectly into the plot, the pace of which only slows when we’re taught lessons in fiscal prudence. The rest is a lavish spectacle of wonders with every song delivered with consummate aplomb – and one (yes, that one!) teased out with a knowingly restrained tempo until it finally lets rip and the house explodes! There is hardly a dull moment and the show whips us into a frenzy of joy and wholesome fun – and when she finally flies away I defy anyone who has a heart (and anyone who has had these songs in that heart for a lifetime) not to shed a tear and mouth the words, “Goodbye, Mary Poppins – we’ll never forget you!”
Reviewer: Peter Kinnock
Reviewed: 18th July 2025
North West End UK Rating: