Yes, but will I like it?

Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre

A lavish stage version of the much-loved Disney film produced with very evident love, care and cash by producer Cameron Macintosh.

What's it about?

Kids Michael and Jane Banks terrorize each of their nannies into leaving until their long-suffering parents recruit the mysterious Mary Poppins. She leads the whole household through a series of magical encounters and adventures across Edwardian London that teaches them to love each other.

Who's in it?

The successful show has just undergone its first cast change. For its second year Scarlett Strallen beautifully captures Mary's enigmatic beauty, no nonsense attitude to childcare, and mischievous sense of humour. Eliza Lumley is the plucky but long suffering Mrs Banks presiding over colourful servant's Sarah Flind (Mrs Brill the Cook) and Andrew Pepper (Footman, Robertson Ay). Aiden Gillet in now a more angular, slightly less lovable Mr Banks then his predecessor David Haig. Gavin Lee remains as Bert and is everything you could wish for in the Dick Van Dyke role.

Who'd enjoy it?

Anyone of any age who can suspend their cynicism, relax and enjoy a life enhancing evening of adventure, love and magic. The management do suggest that some sequences are too scary for the under eights but I suspect that's to stop parents bringing restless little kids whose noise could ruin the show for everyone else.

What should I look for?

The show certainly looks like it cost a lot of money but unlike some "spectaculars", its budget has been spent with taste and artistry.

It's interesting how quite a flabby film has been shaped into a very tight stage musical. The writers have concentrated on Mary's effect on the family and kept that as a focus.

The beautiful, gigantic projections of charcoal drawings which often form the backdrop to the action must be based on Bert's drawings.

The most solid setting in the show is the Banks Family's (almost life size) house that impressively tracks down to the front of the stage, and rises and falls to allow the audience to see down into the kitchen and up on to the roof.

It's not a show for actor's who are afraid of heights. The Banks Children and household are often required to ride down on the scenery from way up in the theatre's grid. And Mary Poppins famously flies up and out over the audience in the final moments.

The new songs and additional lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drew mesh perfectly with the film's original songs by Richard and Robert Sherman.

The Edwardian setting allows us just enough distance to feel nostalgic for happier, simpler times whilst feeling modern enough to reflect contemporary family problems.

Mrs Banks becomes a much more interesting character now that she's transformed from the suffragette figure in the film into a three dimensional mother with real concerns about her wayward family.

The local park becomes a place of magic and change much as Shakespeare uses the natural settings of forests and Islands as a backdrop for his character's discoveries.

It's great to hear a comparatively big orchestra playing the evocative and emotive music.

Kids can watch the show as a simple fantasy whilst adults will enjoy what it says about the strains and rewards of family life.

Verdict:

A lavish treat of an evening for children and anyone still in touch with childhood.

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