Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Mary Poppins, the musical based on the stories of P. L. Travers and the original film, returns to its original West End home at the Prince Edward Theatre after 15 years, beginning previews on 23 October 2019 with opening night on 13 November. There will be Family Night performances on Wednesdays with an earlier start at 7pm and reduced priced tickets.
Starring Zizi Strallen in the title role and Charlie Stemp as Bert, this internationally award-winning production has been praised by critics and audiences alike and seen by 12 million people worldwide. Further casting will be announced at a later date.
The stage production of Mary Poppins originally opened in the West End in December 2004, running for over 1,250 performances. During this time, the production won two Olivier Awards and an Evening Standard Award. Subsequently the Tony Award-winning Broadway production ran for over six years.
This new production of the show will be seen for the first time in London following record-breaking runs in Australia, North America, the UK and Ireland, New Zealand, Holland, Mexico, Austria, Switzerland, Dubai, Japan and Germany, where the production recently entered its second hit year in Hamburg. Mary Poppins is also the biggest hit musical ever in Italy where it is currently running in Milan.
At its heart Mary Poppins is a story about the importance of family, so with this in mind, this family show will hold Family Night performances on Wednesdays with an earlier start at 7pm and reduced priced tickets. Performances on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays will begin at 7.30pm with matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm. On Sundays performances will also be at 2.30pm.
Cameron Mackintosh said:
“I am very excited to be welcoming Pamela Travers’ iconic nanny back to the Prince Edward Theatre later this year for audiences across all generations to enjoy. Since we originally presented the show, we have found even more magical ways to stage this timeless tale in this new production, and with the spectacular dancing talent of our two stars, I’m sure our audiences will find our new Mary Poppins practically perfect in every way.”
The original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman include the timeless songs ‘Jolly Holiday’, ‘Step in Time’, ‘Feed the Birds’ and ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’. New songs and additional music and lyrics are by the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The book is by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator, Julian Fellowes.
This production of Mary Poppins has direction by Richard Eyre, co-direction and choreography by Matthew Bourne and co-choreography by Stephen Mear.
