Mary Poppins The Musical: Complete Guide — Cameron Mackintosh & Disney’s West End & Broadway Masterpiece
Disney • Cameron Mackintosh • A Musical Based on P.L. Travers & the Walt Disney Film
Mary Poppins
Additional Music & Lyrics by George Stiles & Anthony Drewe
Directed by Richard Eyre • Co-direction & Choreography by Matthew Bourne & Stephen Mear
Design by Bob Crowley • Produced by Cameron Mackintosh & Disney Theatrical Productions
“ Practically Perfect in Every Way ”
Practically Perfect
in Every Way
Mary Poppins is a musical with music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman (the Sherman Brothers), with additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and a book by Julian Fellowes. Based on P. L. Travers’s beloved Mary Poppins children’s books and the 1964 Disney film, the musical is a fusion of elements from both sources — including songs from the film — woven into an original theatrical narrative about the dysfunctional Banks family of Cherry Tree Lane, Edwardian London, and the extraordinary nanny who brings them together.
Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Disney Theatrical Productions and directed by Richard Eyre with co-direction and choreography by Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear, the original West End production opened at the Prince Edward Theatre in December 2004 with Laura Michelle Kelly as Mary Poppins — winning the 2005 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical — and Gavin Lee as Bert. The Broadway production, at the New Amsterdam Theatre from November 2006, starred Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee, ran for a remarkable 2,619 performances, and received seven Tony Award nominations including Best Musical. More than 11 million people worldwide have seen the show, which has been produced in 22 countries and 13 languages.
The show is notably the only Disney musical to have had its world premiere in the United Kingdom — opening at the Bristol Hippodrome in September 2004 before transferring to the West End.
Development
& Creation
Cameron Mackintosh Meets P. L. Travers — 1993
In 1993, theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh met P. L. Travers — the Australian-born author of the Mary Poppins books — and acquired the rights to develop a stage adaptation. Travers, notoriously protective of her creation (her battles with Walt Disney over the 1964 film are the subject of the 2013 film Saving Mr. Banks), agreed to a stage production on two conditions: all creators must be British, and no one who had worked on the Disney film adaptation could be involved. She died in 1996, before the production began in earnest.
The Disney Partnership — 2001
In 2001, Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher, head of Disney Theatrical Productions, opened talks on a collaboration — so the stage production could also use the songs from the Disney film, including “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Feed the Birds,” “Jolly Holiday,” “Step in Time” and “Let’s Go Fly a Kite.” With both sides committed, a preliminary outline was written in 2002. Songwriters George Stiles and Anthony Drewe independently wrote a demo of a new introductory song titled “Practically Perfect” and submitted it to Mackintosh — his positive response brought them officially onto the creative team. Julian Fellowes was recruited to write the book because of his clear understanding of the English class system of the Edwardian era.
The Creative Team — A Gathering of Giants
An exceptional production team was assembled. Director Sir Richard Eyre — multi-award-winning director of the National Theatre, film and opera. Co-director and choreographer Matthew Bourne — whose all-male Swan Lake had redefined British dance theatre. Co-choreographer Stephen Mear. Designer Bob Crowley — a six-time Tony Award winner who had worked with the RSC, National Theatre, Royal Ballet and Royal Opera. The workshop of the show was held at the end of 2003 at the rehearsal room of London’s Old Vic Theatre, using the cast of My Fair Lady, which had just closed in the West End. After four weeks of rehearsals at Sadler’s Wells, the show moved to Bristol for its world premiere.
The Age Ban — Too Scary for Young Children
Shortly after opening, producers Mackintosh and Schumacher banned children below three years old from entering the theatre, deeming the show too scary for very young children. The ban remained throughout the show’s entire run — theatre staff were instructed to prevent patrons with children below three from entering. The show was officially tagged as being “for children seven years and up.”
Julie Andrews Visits — 17 March 2005
On 17 March 2005, Julie Andrews — who played Mary Poppins in the 1964 film — visited the show as a guest. She appeared onstage during the curtain calls, where she gave a speech recalling her own memories from making the film and praising the cast for their new interpretation. The moment was one of the most celebrated in the show’s West End run.
The Story —
17 Cherry Tree Lane,
Edwardian London
Act One — A Practically Perfect Arrival
Bert, a man of many professions, introduces the audience to Cherry Tree Lane in Edwardian London. At Number 17 live the Banks family: George Banks (a driven, emotionally distant banker), Winifred Banks (a former actress struggling to fulfil her husband’s expectations), and their naughty, out-of-control children Jane and Michael. Their latest nanny, Katie Nanna, storms out in despair. The children write their own advertisement for a new nanny (“The Perfect Nanny”), but George tears it up and throws it in the fire. Almost immediately, Mary Poppins arrives — advertisement restored — and takes charge with absolute confidence (“Practically Perfect”).
On their first park outing, Mary teaches the children to look past appearances by bringing the park statues to life (“Jolly Holiday”). A spilled kitchen disaster is resolved with magic and a lesson (“A Spoonful of Sugar”). George visits his bank, where a question from Jane makes him realise how much his values have shifted (“A Man Has Dreams”). The children meet the Bird Woman outside St Paul’s Cathedral (“Feed the Birds”) and the magical Mrs. Corry with her talking sweet shop (“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”). When George is suspended from the bank, he explodes at the children — and Mary enchants the toys to life to teach them a lesson in the sequence “Playing the Game.” Mary then decides to leave Cherry Tree Lane to bring the children to their senses.
Act Two — Miss Andrew, the Rooftops & Reunion
In Mary’s absence, Winifred contacts George’s terrifying childhood nanny Miss Andrew to take charge — an instant mistake. Miss Andrew is a brutal tyrant who threatens to separate the children (“Brimstone and Treacle”). The children find Bert, who cheers them up (“Let’s Go Fly a Kite”) — and Mary Poppins flies in on the kite to reunite with them. She confronts Miss Andrew, sets her beloved pet lark free, and — in a spectacular magical showdown — traps Miss Andrew in her own birdcage and vanishes her.
Bert introduces the children to his chimney sweep friends on the rooftops in the show’s great dance spectacular (“Step in Time”). George, summoned to the bank expecting to be fired, discovers instead that his decision to reject Von Hussler’s scheme has made the bank a fortune. He is celebrated as a hero and given a quadrupled salary. The family is reunited. Mary, knowing her task is done, says farewell to Bert with a kiss and flies high above the audience on her magical parrot-headed umbrella as Jane and Michael watch her go.
The Songs —
Sherman Brothers
Classics & New Gems
The score of Mary Poppins combines beloved songs from the 1964 Disney film with new material written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Several film songs have been relocated within the story to serve new dramatic purposes. The result is a score that honours the original while deepening its theatrical storytelling.
✦ = iconic show-stopper • Film songs relocated and reimagined for theatrical storytelling
The Characters
of Cherry Tree Lane
The show’s title character — practically perfect in every way. She arrives at 17 Cherry Tree Lane with her magical parrot-headed umbrella and her carpet bag of impossibilities, bringing the Banks family back together with a combination of magic, discipline and love. Her last name, the show notes, describes her habit of “popping in” and “popping out” of children’s lives.
A jack-of-all-trades — pavement artist, chimney sweep, kite-flyer, narrator — who has known Mary Poppins before the story begins. He hints at his own magical knowledge of her world. Gavin Lee originated the role in both the West End and Broadway productions and became celebrated for his extraordinary physical agility, including dancing on the walls and ceiling during “Step in Time.”
The musical’s most significantly expanded character. A driven, emotionally rigid banker whose coldness is revealed to be the legacy of his own childhood nanny, Miss Andrew. The show’s emotional arc belongs to George: his journey from cold authority figure to loving husband and father is what Mary Poppins has truly been sent to accomplish.
A former actress who struggles to meet her husband’s expectations. Unlike the film’s Winifred — a suffragette — the musical’s Winifred is a woman caught between two worlds: her artistic past and her domestic present. Her journey toward confident self-assertion runs in parallel with George’s emotional awakening.
George Banks’s own childhood nanny — a terrifying tyrant who advocates “brimstone and treacle” instead of “a spoonful of sugar.” Her arrival in Act Two as a supposed solution to the children’s behaviour is the show’s great comic horror. Her climactic defeat by Mary Poppins — trapped in her own birdcage and vanished — is one of the show’s most theatrical moments.
A mysterious ancient woman who runs a magical “Talking Shop” that sells words. Her appearance in “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” — leading the chorus in spelling out the great word — is one of the show’s most joyful sequences. A character from Travers’s original books (and briefly glimpsed in the film).
Original Productions
& Casting History
Original West End Cast — Prince Edward Theatre, 2004
| Role | Original Actor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Poppins | Laura Michelle Kelly | Won 2005 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical |
| Bert | Gavin Lee | Also reprised role on Broadway; wall-walking in Step in Time |
| George Banks | Harry Michell | Expanded leading role from film’s supporting character |
| Winifred Banks | Linzi Hateley | Former actress, unlike film’s suffragette version |
| Miss Andrew | Heather Samuel | New character from Travers books; Act Two antagonist |
| Mrs. Brill | Julia Sutton | Banks family cook/maid |
West End Notable Replacements
Notable replacements in the West End included Scarlett Strallen, Lisa O’Hare and Caroline Sheen as Mary Poppins, and Gavin Creel as Bert from July 2006. The West End production closed on 12 January 2008, after a run of more than three years.
Original Broadway Cast — New Amsterdam Theatre, 2006
| Role | Original Actor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Poppins | Ashley Brown | Broadway original; returned March 2011 to July 2011 |
| Bert | Gavin Lee | Reprised from West End; returned Aug 2010 |
| George Banks | Daniel Jenkins | Leading expanded role |
| Winifred Banks | Rebecca Luker | Tony-nominated soprano |
| Michael Banks | Matthew Gumley / Henry Hodges | Alternating child actors |
| Miss Andrew | Act Two antagonist; villain of the piece |
Key Broadway Replacements
Scarlett Strallen (reprising West End role) and then Laura Michelle Kelly (the original London Mary) both played the role on Broadway. Christian Borle joined as Bert in October 2009. Nicolas Dromard played Bert July–August 2010. The closing Broadway cast (March 2013) featured Steffanie Leigh as Mary and Nicolas Dromard as Bert. The Broadway production recouped its investment after 52 weeks.
Production History
& World Tour
World premiere opens at the Bristol Hippodrome with previews from 15 September, officially opening 18 September for a limited engagement until 6 November. The only Disney musical ever to have its world premiere in the UK.
Stars Laura Michelle Kelly (Mary) and Gavin Lee (Bert). Julie Andrews visits on 17 March 2005. Wins 2 Olivier Awards. Closes 12 January 2008. Under-3s banned throughout run.
Stars Ashley Brown (Mary) and Gavin Lee (Bert). 7 Tony nominations including Best Musical. Wins Best Scenic Design. Closes 3 March 2013. On 15 November 2009 during the LA tour, Dick Van Dyke (film Bert) appears onstage during the encore.
Stars Caroline Sheen (later Lisa O’Hare) as Mary and Daniel Crossley as Bert. Ends 18 April 2009. Last production to include “Temper, Temper” before the song was cut.
Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee reprise Broadway roles. “Playing the Game” replaces “Temper, Temper.” Dick Van Dyke appears onstage in LA. Tour closes 2 June 2013 in Anchorage, Alaska.
Stars Verity Hunt-Ballard (Mary, found through long national search), Matt Lee (Bert), Philip Quast (George Banks), Marina Prior (Winifred), Debra Byrne (Bird Woman), Judi Connelli (Miss Andrew). Australian cast recording released 18 February 2011. Tour reaches Auckland, New Zealand, closing 30 December 2012.
Directed by Richard Eyre. Stars Zizi Strallen (Mary) and Matt Lee (Bert). Visits Bristol, Dublin, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Southampton, Norwich, Plymouth, Newcastle, Bradford and Cardiff through January 2017.
Stars Zizi Strallen (Mary) and Charlie Stemp (Bert). Petula Clark as the Bird Woman. Claire Moore as Miss Andrew. Forced to close temporarily 16 March 2020 due to COVID-19; reopens 7 August 2021. Charlie Stemp temporarily replaced by Louis Gaunt while he performs in Crazy for You at Chichester. Closes 8 January 2023.
New tour announced 7 March 2024. Opens at the Bristol Hippodrome marking 20 years since world premiere. Co-directed by Richard Eyre and Matthew Bourne. Stars Stefaine Jones (Mary) and Jack Chambers (Bert), reprising their Sydney 2022 roles. Reimagined set and costume design by Bob Crowley.
Notable International Productions
The first foreign-language production opened at the Gothenburg Opera House, Sweden (October 2008), performed in Swedish. Dutch-language: Fortis Circustheater, The Hague (2010–2011) — the actress playing Mary was found via TV show Op zoek naar Mary Poppins. German: Ronacher, Vienna (2014–2016) then Apollo-Theater Stuttgart (2016–2018) then Hamburg (2018). Italian: Teatro Nazionale, Milan (February 2018). Japanese: Tokyo and Osaka (March 2018). Spanish: Centro Cultural, Mexico City with Bianca Marroquin as Mary (2012–2013). Finnish, Danish, Hungarian, Czech, Estonian and Icelandic productions also mounted.
Awards &
Recognition
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Olivier Award ✿ | Best Actress in a Musical | Laura Michelle Kelly (Mary) | Won ✿ |
| 2005 | Olivier Award ✿ | Best Theatre Choreographer | Matthew Bourne & Stephen Mear | Won ✿ |
| 2005 | Olivier Award | Best Musical | Mary Poppins | Nominated |
| 2005 | Olivier Award | Best Actor in a Musical | Gavin Lee (Bert) | Nominated |
| 2007 | Tony Award ✿ | Best Scenic Design of a Musical | Bob Crowley | Won ✿ |
| 2007 | Tony Award | Best Musical | Mary Poppins | Nominated |
| 2007 | Tony Award | Best Actress in a Musical | Ashley Brown (Mary) | Nominated |
| 2007 | Tony Award | Best Featured Actor in a Musical | Gavin Lee (Bert) | Nominated |
| 2007 | Tony Award | Best Lighting Design | Mary Poppins | Nominated |
| 2007 | Tony Award | Best Costume Design | Mary Poppins | Nominated |
| 2007 | Tony Award | Best Choreography | Matthew Bourne & Stephen Mear | Nominated |
| 2020 | WhatsOnStage Award | Best Musical Revival | Mary Poppins West End Revival | Nominated |
