[Gobsmacker]

I just returned from London where I caught a performance of MARY POPPINS at the Pr. Edward Theatre. The stage version differs from 1964 classic film. The stage show contains familiar songs and themes from the movie, but it is truer to PL Travers' books.

The stage version has a little "harder edge" compared to the sticky sweetness of Disney's film. There are new characters (namely, Miss Andrew--a drill sergeant of a nanny). Jane & Michael are far brattier and devious than the kids in the film + there are a few added songs ( notably 'Practically Perfect').

The cast, overall, is terrific: Scarlett Strallen is superb as MP, and Gavin Lee is outstanding as Bert. They alone, are worth the lofty price of admission. The Jolly Holiday and Supercalifragilstiexpalisous scenes are very colorful and enegetic. The 'Step in Time' seemed a little static on stage however. I really enjoyed the macabre scene, TEMPER, TEMPER! where Mary casts a spell on the toys in the nursery--but this scene may be too scary for young children. Also, the 'Feed The Birds' sequence is especially poignant.

The highlight, of course, is Mary's umbrella flight over the stage & audience--it's a magical moment.

I really enjoyed the stage version, but nothing will ever compare to Julie Andrews in this unforgettable role.

[Aimee]

I love the chim-chimminey [however its spelt] bit. I wish I could dance like that.

*sigh*

[Brother Marvin Hinten, S.]

Chim Chim Cheree.

[Aimee]

LOL, when you're with a sweep.....

[liza_minelli]

I saw MP last Wednesday!! It's amazing, though the kids were a bit over the top with diction.. but, you know, its a big theatre...

[Fantine]

Awww I wanna go...

[liza_minelli]

Go the next time you get the chance. The Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious scene is amazing!!

[cabaretfreak]

I hope the broadway will be just as great as the one in London.

[Yasmin]

I did see this with Laura Michelle Kelly who was in the original cast. She was absolutely brilliant, and I thought she really made the show!

My fave scene was when all the toys in the nursery become life size!

[musikal_geek]

Whoa creepy....

Just as I read this thread, a parody of "Step in Time" came on TV.

Let's hope that I didn't just make an @$$ of myself, because I'm not even 100% sure that Step in Time is from MP......

[Fantine]

It is. It's the rooftop scene with the chimney sweeps.

[panda]

yer i saw mary poppins i really liked it coz it is for both children and adletn i know i was sacred buy the tmpet bit but io like the way theyhave used a lot from the books so its back to its origlanl form coz i ahve read some of the books and they are fab I really liked buirts tap daicng very good and i like the way he walks aroudn the stage very clever lol
my fav bit was in the park jolly holiday but i was hoping for live pengings lol but it was very good and reccomed it

[Tiny-Tot]

Can't Wait for this this to come to BW. I got the London recording and it is great.

[musikal_geek]

B'way in November!!

[London_Mungojerrie]

[Yasmin]

[mm]

I personally think Scarlett Strallen is amazing, she is a great actress with a beautiful voice and not as wooden and fake as LMK. LMK has a beautiful voice, no discussion about that but her acting was rather weak every time I saw the show with her!
I remember that Michael Banks asks Mary Poppins to be cross again when she gives him the present and says something to him nearly at the end of the show - LMK was hardly cross in the show at any time! From facial impressions all you would get is a cheap smile and that's about it, at other times she would not even move a muscle in her pretty face but just move her eyes, just looking good is not enough.
Scarlett Strallen gives Mary Poppins so much life - her Mary Poppins is stern and strict and kind and caring at the same time portraying a much more complex nanny. And she is a lovely sincere young woman offstage with a big heart - LMK seemed too 'professional' each time I saw her.
The new cast is not too bad, certainly not as amazing as the original cast, but they have improved so much since November. I couldn't stand Aden and Eliza the first time and these days both impress me each time I see the show - the only one really annoying me is the current Robertson Ay, his understudies are far more talented.

[TR_Wolf]

[jpman]

Jonah Lees will take over the part of Michael Banks this winter while his twin brother Christian will play tall boy in Billy Elliot the Musical.

http://www.billyelliotfans.com/forum1/viewtopic.php?p=13084#13084

[candlestickjay]

I caught a showing (and I mean caught, I went in 2 hours before the show and snagged some balcony seats) back in June and absolutely loved it. Came back to the states with merchandice coming out of places I didn't know I had. But I really enjoyed that. Personally I was just shocked and overjoyed by the stage set up. Thats one thing I was really able to enjoy was the set because we were up so high, you could really see how it came out smoothly and how everything was so neatly choreographed andd....ahh it was just lovely. Personally I do prefer LMK, but I think ending up about 2 yards vertically from her as she flew over my head was just cool enough for me. I loved her version of Practically Perfect and then Chimchimerrie with whatshisname. I came out singing! Overall, just a wonderful show, and honestly, I don't think Bway will be able to top it, if only because we can't fake British accents like the British. XD

[DefyGravityFan]

We saw it in London when it first came out...it is darker than the Disney version as it more closely follows the book, but it is SO good! We're hoping to see it in NYC when we visit next year!

[Scottish_freak]

I saw MP this summer And unfortunately was slightly dissapointed!

I loved the idea of the show and was great to see well known characters from one of my favourite movies as a kid on stage! I suppose i set my expectations a bit to high as i had just finished a show where i had played Mary P!

Overall the show was really good and the set was excellent! the woman playing Mary though really irritated me! I felt she was too busy trying to get through the show than enjoy the moment!

The show is alot darker than the film aswell! which was fine by me as obviously it couldn't stay disney cheese forever but that bit when the toys come to life scared the bejingus out of me! i was with my theatre group and ended up having to swap seats with someone cause a few of the the kids were really scared!

loved the stunts though - the flying by MP and the walking on the ceiling by Bert was pure genius!

[musikal_geek]

[TR_Wolf]

[Jekkienumber24601]

It is very carefully concealed wires. Trust me, with enough money you can do anything these days. Always be open to anything (didn't you see the prestige?)

[TR_Wolf]

[London_Mungojerrie]

[musikal_geek]

So, did it actually look like he was walking upside-down? (I haven't seen it).

All three shows I saw used flying (BatB - Gaston falling, WICKED - Monkeys, TLK - Scar falling) and they used painfully obvious black wires every time.

[TR_Wolf]

[LesMisForever]

Hello

I saw the show sometime in March 2006. I enjoyed it very much, and i thought that Scarlett was "Practically Perfect" . Gavin Lee was excellent as well.
The "Supercali........" number was amazing, and the theatre joined in clapping. It was really great stuff.
As for the wires. Yes, there are wires, and i actually saw them because i was sitting fairly close to the stage. It is impressive neverhtless. But if you don't see them it is even better.
Mary flew within a touching distance from me.
Chim Chim Cheree is probably the best tune of the show.

[wls250]

[Impossible Dream]

Before I go to see this (and I'm thinking of using my Theatre Tokens for it), are there any explosions/sudden loud noises during the show? I know that in the original movie the Step In Time number has fireworks going off in the background ...

[hedge_hog]

[ado amber]

thats rad i want to see it now...i think im gonna move to london so i can see mary poppins and also so i can see daniel radcliffe exposed

[TR_Wolf]

[Jordan]

I think the walking thing works in MP. Sure, you can see he has wires but it's a different set up to normal wire work, I don't know how to describe it properly.