Originally Posted By leemac Lindsay and I were very privileged to be able to attend the world premier of Mary Poppins last night at the Prince Edward Theatre in London. I thought that I would just share a few moments from the evening with the rest of LP. Old Compton Street was closed to allow a proper red carpet entrance to the theatre. It was quite a odd feeling walking along it, as if we shouldn't have been on it! On arrival at the redecorated theatre, we proceeded straight to the stalls bar. We had arrived early enough to talk to various people in attendance. Some of our greatest stage actors were there (probably the entire cast of the various Harry Potter movies I suspect) including Jim Broadbent, Michael Gambon and Jonathan Pryce. Disney executives in attendance were the wonderful Dick Cook and his family, COO Bob Iger and his wife and naturally, Tom Schumacher, president of Disney Theatrical (dressed in a very pink shirt and tie!). In addition, Richard Sherman was in high spirits, albeit rather nervous. He told us that he had seen the show at least 15 times in Bristol (during its out-of-town run) but had yet to enjoy it in its new permanent home. We asked after Robert, and he said that he was there for the special occasion, that he was doing well, but would not be able to mingle. Sadly, we didnot see Robert at all that night to congratulate him on his success. We walked into the auditorium behind the Cooks. The usher kept sending us further forward into the stalls, until we eventually got to the front row. We had been given seats, dead centre behind the conductor in the front row. We could have literally stood up and touched the actors! Dick Cook was pulling faces at us seven rows back, gesturing to swap places (actually, I suspect he had the best seats in the house anyhow, only naturally for the guy who runs the division! I would guess that rows H-K in the stalls would give the best view of the stage). Lindsay and I had opted to skip the previews in order to see it for the first time on the premier night. We had even managed to avoid most of the press material in order to be surprised. The musical is simply the finest example of theatre that currently exists. It is stunning, practically perfect in every way. 17 Cherry Tree Lane is a wonderful set, quickly elevating us into the nursery in the attic or the rooftops or down to the kitchen. Very little of the movie itself has made it into the musical. All of the Sherman Brothers songs (bar I Love to Laugh) are there including 6 news numbers by the little-known George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The movie songs are totally rejigged around and staged to new scenes. For example, Jolly Holiday is a walk in the park with statutes coming to life around the kids and Super.... becomes a visit to a fictional park market, when everyone suddenly ceases conversation. A visit to Mrs Corry, an ancient vendor of curious sweets rectifies the silence with that famous fictional word. Matthew Bourne's electric choreography (particularly for Step in Time & Super) is truly magnificent. Super... runs to nearly 8 minutes in the musical, all staged to the most complicated hand gestures recreating the letters! Truly super. Each of the characters has been elaborated on extensively. Mrs Banks is an ex-actress who is unsure of her place within the family structure with a cook and nanny. Jane Banks is an awful child, full of venom and spite throughout. Mr Banks is suspended and falls into deeper despair than David Tomlinson ever showed in the movie. However, the true revelation in this production is Gavin Lee as Bert. He auditioned for the part of an understudy and Cameron Mckintosh quickly recognised his potential. He is truly phenomenal, his part is extremely demanding (especially physically as he has some tremendous dance movies including "Over the rooftops" in Step in Time, which takes him up the walls and ceiling) and the raw emotion he conveys in his fondness for Mary is heart-breaking, particularly when she leaves. The book by Julian Fellowes is exquisite, capturing the language of Victorian London whilst maintaining the wit (particularly in the character of the cook and housekeeper, Mrs Brill who is caustic beyond belief). At 2 hours and 50 minutes, it is one of the longest musicals around, but it never sags at all and the emotional core makes it a rollercoaster for the audience. The play is about the turmoil of the Banks and not about Mary. The new songs are not just fillers for the Sherman tunes. Stiles & Drewe have created some classics, particularly Anything Can Happen, the closing number which is fantastic. This musical truly proves that there is something about Mary. Although it can be a little macabre and frightening at times (the closer to Act I is called Temper, Temper and is a giant toy court convicting the Banks children and is very disturbing), it is far closer to the P.L. Travers stories than the Disney movie. The night closed with a premier party in London's Leicester Square. Ironically, the location was a former nightclub that was closed due to drug violations by the local council! The place was decked out like 17 Cherry Tree Lane and the building had been enveloped in a huge vinyl wrap of Mary Poppins made of flowers. Quite spectacular. All in all, if your travels bring you to our fine city in the near future, a trip to Mary Poppins is essential. I can promise you that this is one of the greatest musicals ever produced. The Lion King has always been my personal favourite, but a stern nanny seems to have replaced Simba in my heart. I am also delighted that Disney consider London's West End to be perfect for original productions. Plus the ticket prices are significantly less than Boradway, making it highly accessible to families. More information, and photos from the night will be in the first issue of Tales from the Laughing Place, when it is released in early January. Lee & Lindsay.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Great review guys. I have had my reservations about this one, especially after the Children in Need tv spot, but your review has opened my mind a little more. Maybe a visit is in order?!!
Originally Posted By leemac Dave, what did they do on Children in Need? I think I was away in WDW whilst that show ran. It really is a quite spectacular production. I picked up some of the dailies today, and the reviews were pretty stupendous. The London Evening Standard's reviewer, Nicholas de Jongh (IMO one of the best around) said that: "I never thought in my wildest theatrical fantasies that Walt Disney's syrup mountain of a film that has melted the hearts and softened the faculties of millions of children could be worked into such a sharp, thoughtful stage musical" David Haig as George Banks: "beautifully acted" Gavin Lee as Bert: "excellent, jauntily sung sweep" Laura Michelle Kelly as Mary: "Miss Kelly's passionately sung Mary cuts such an enigmatic, elegant and emotionally detached figure that she rivets attention as she faces up to Haig's highly comic model of ill-tempered, anxiety-laden pomposity" Benedict Nightingale in the Times (probably the most respected theatrical journalist in the UK) gave it five stars out of five: "Long before Kelly's demure Mary has zoomed over the stalls into the theatre's star-splattered eaves, this marvellously fresh adaptation of P.L. Travers' stories had clearly won the hearts, minds, eyes and ears of last night's audience. I don't think it is theatrical chauvinism that left me thinking the show better in every way than the Disney movie, delightful though that seemed 40 years ago." "Could Kelly's Poppins be more starchy and severe, as she is in the stories? Maybe, but I enjoyed the brisk, slightly smug confidence, her singing voice and much, much else. You want magic? Even a bed materialises from her trademark bag. You want music? The original Sherman Brothers' songs are there, plus some pleasing ditties from George Stiles and Anthony Drewe." It really is the greatest triumph of Disney Theatrical. Plus refusing to raise the price to the levels that other shows are pushing now in London, is great.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Maybe a visit is in order?!!>> You will love it. I'm a huge fan of the movie and not a fan of musicals per se (at all actually), but to see a fresh interpretation was wonderful and I never felt that I was comparing elements of the musical to the movie. Not once. And I reckon that is about the best compliment you can pay someone. Lee
Originally Posted By irishfan I'm already booked!! Next May, and I'm in Row H, thanks for the report Leemac. Cant wait.
Originally Posted By irishfan ^^^ Excellent....and the press reports: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4101873.stm" target="_blank">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ent ertainment/4101873.stm</a>
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Those are fantastic reviews, ok, ok, I think I'll find a way to book some tickets for next year. My fear though, I've always loved Julie Andrew - between Mary Poppins and the Sound of Music, I simply adore her. I suppose I wanted a virtual carbon copy of the movie on stage. But then again, I suppose that's a very conservative view. I will need to go see it.
Originally Posted By Labuda This sounds WONDERFUL!!! "Oh how I wish I could see this." Hmmm, when will you be in Australia, Lisa? Maybe once you get back, we can arrange an LP field trip to the UK to see this, then pop over to France for a day at DLP!
Originally Posted By Labuda Oh, and I can't WAIT for the first issue of LP magazine to arrive so I can see pictures! WOO HOO! COME ON EARLY JANUARY!!!!!
Originally Posted By leemac It went to print yesterday! We can't wait either to see the real thing! Lee
Originally Posted By KiNOO thanks for the report lee, i can't wait to go to London to catch it! I have the Children in Need preview keep playing all day long!!! And i have a question, do you know when a soundtrack CD will be releaseD?????
Originally Posted By Kevin Sounds awesome. Thanks for taking the time to review. If I happen to make it to London it will be tops on my list. London is the first place I saw Lion King too so this would be a perfect return.
Originally Posted By lesmisfan thanks for the wonderful review you guys! i finally will get to england this year, my mom and i are trying for april, and i cant wait to see this. hopefully we will be able to get tickets to this show. this is the number one thing on my to do list when i get to england!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Lesmisfan - I thought your No. 1 thing would be an LP meet with the Baloos and UKFAN?
Originally Posted By Mickeymardon Here some news! you can pre-order the CD on the MP website - www.marypoppinsthemusical.co.uk and i have heard that it is sold out for quite a long time, though they do release a few tickets daily for performances, but you need to que quickly as they sell out almost instantly!!! Rhodri
Originally Posted By Mickeymardon i guess LP magazine is summat to do with this website!!! but how can you get it?!?!?!?!
Originally Posted By lesmisfan "Lesmisfan - I thought your No. 1 thing would be an LP meet with the Baloos and UKFAN?" okay so make mary poppins my second thing on my to do list
