Mary Poppins is a 2004 musical based on the Disney film and its original source material of stories written by P.L Travers. It tells of a family in Edwardian London who seek the help of a Nanny to mind their children, but Mary Poppins isn’t your average Nanny. It’s a story of love, magic, and acceptance. 

Producer Cameron Mackintosh acquired the rights to the show off author P.L Travers in 1993. Travers, who had famously hated the Walt Disney film, only allowed the rights to be optioned on the proviso that it created an all-British creative team, and that no one who had worked on the original film worked on it. After her death in 1996, Mackintosh opened a conversation with Disney Theatrical president Thomas Schumacher in hopes that they would be able to use the original music from the 1964 film. When Schumacher agreed, they outlined the show in 2002 with songwriting duo Stiles and Drewe coming on board to pen the new songs. In hearing about the adaptation, the British duo submitted ‘Practically Perfect’ to seal the deal. Mackintosh loved it and signed them both up, alongside book writer Julian Fellows. 

At the end of 2003 when My Fair Lady had just closed, the cast were used to workshop Mary Poppins. In 2004, the show was completed, cast and set for an out-of-town try-out commencing on 14 September 2004, at the Bristol Hippodrome. The show was directed by Sir Richard Eyre, choreographed by Stephen Mear and Matthew Bourne with set and costume design by Bob Crowley and lighting design by Howard Harrison. The production closed on 9 November before transferring to London’s West End and opening 15 December 2004. The original London cast included Laura Michelle Kelly as Mary Poppins, Gavin Lee as Bert, David Haig as Mr Banks and Linzi Hately as Mrs Banks. Mary Poppins became the first Disney musical to premiere in the UK and was a critical and commercial success, with Kelly winning an Olivier for her portrayal of the titular role. 

The Broadway production opened on 16 November 2006, at the New Amsterdam Theatre. Ashley Brown took on the role of the iconic nanny, whilst Gavin Lee reprised his West End turn as Bert. Daniel Jenkins starred as George Banks, with the late Rebecca Luker originating the role of Winifred Banks. The musical received positive reviews and garnered seven 2007 TONY award nominations, wining for ‘Best Scenic Design of a Musical’. The American production also featured a technicolour ‘Jolly Holiday’ section as opposed to the original monochrome version in the London production, and the ladders in the ‘Anything Can Happen’ sequence were replaced with a giant umbrella. These changes were incorporated into the West End production and also subsequent productions after that. 

The 2008 UK tour of the London production commenced with Caroline Sheen in the titular role (she was taken over by Lisa O’Hare) of Mary Poppins, Daniel Crossley as Bert, Martin Ball as George Banks and Louise Bowden as Winifred Banks. Bob Crowley also redesigned the house, making it smaller so that most touring houses could accommodate the show. The 2008 UK tour also marked the last time ‘Temper, Temper’ was in the show before it was replaced by ‘Playing The Game’. 

The show has enjoyed many international productions as well as multiple US and UK Tours. In 2019, the show returned to London at its original home of the Prince Edward Theatre, commencing previews on 23 October. The cast included Zizi Strallen as Mary, Charlie Stemp as Bert, Joseph Millson as George Banks and Amy Griffiths as Winifred Banks. The revival received critical acclaim. The show closed due to the pandemic but is set to reopen on 7 August 2021. The revival won Oliviers for ‘Best Set Design’ and ‘Best Theatre Choreographer’. 

Besties, Mary Poppins is simply magical musical theatre at its finest, and if you haven’t listened to it already, then where have you been?

Cast recordings available on streaming services.

FACTS:

Music: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman and George Stiles
Lyrics: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman and Anthony Drewe
Book: Julian Fellows

Theatre: The Prince Edward Theatre 
Run: 15 December 2004 – 12 January 2008.

OLIVIERS: 

(NOMINATIONS) Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical – Gavin Lee, Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical – David Haig, Best Director – Richard Eyre and Matthew Bourne, Best Set Design – Bob Crowley, Best Lighting Design – Howard Harrison, Best Costume Design – Bob Crowley 

(2020) Best Musical Revival, Best Actor in a Musical – Charlie Stemp, Best Actress in a Musical – Zizi Strallen, Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical – Petula Clark 

(WON) Best Actress in a Musical – Laura Michelle Kelly, Best Theatre Choreographer – Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear

(2020) Best Theatre Choreographer - Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear, Best Set Design – Bob Crowley

TONYS:

(NOMINATIONS) Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical – Gavin Lee, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical – Rebecca Luker, Best Choreography – Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear, Best Costume Design – Bob Crowley, Best Lighting Design – Howard Harrison.

(WON) Best Scenic Design of a Musical – Bob Crowley