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PRACTICALLY PERFECT
MARY POPPINS TAKES OFF
Mary
Poppins
Newcastle
Theatre Royal
Until
Saturday
29th October 2016
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| Photo: Johan Persson |
Mary
Poppins is a popular film and it has made the successful transition to a stage
musical. A big West-End production has the wow-factor as a large vibrant cast
deliver a thoroughly entertaining show. No wonder that the Theatre Royal
audience were on their feet applauding at the end.
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| Photo: Johan Persson |
The
story involves the dysfunctional Banks family. George Banks (Neil Roberts) is a
strict disciplinarian whose job in the bank is central to his life and his core
values. He leaves running the house and domestic matters to his wife Winifred (Rebecca
Lock) who was an actress. Their two children are hard to control. Young Jane Banks (Felicity Banks) is messy and has a bad
temper. Her brother Michael (Diego Sanna) is not one for following rules.
The
poor behaviour of the children results in a high turnover in nannies. The
children suggest that they’d like someone kind and fair, an idea immediately
dismissed by their father but almost immediately Mary Poppins (Zizi Strallen)
lands in Cherry Tree Lane to take on the role. Mary takes the children for a
magical walk in the park and they meet her friend, the chimney sweep Bert (Matt
Lee) and other characters like the Admiral (Graham Hoadly) who is chasing the
affection of Miss Lark (Sophie Caton). Whilst the kids are quickly won around,
it’ll take a miracle to change the attitude of their father.
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| Photo: Johan Persson |
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| Photo: Johan Persson |
Cameron
Mackintosh has produced a large scale show with high production values.
Director Richard Eyre’s action scenes ensure that each person on the stage is
in character and interacting with one another. Choreography from Matthew Bourne
is tight and entertaining.
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| Photo: Johan Persson |
Some
of the wow factor comes from the bright, colourful set and costumes, designed
by Bob Crowley, and Natasha Katz’s lighting design.
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| Photo: Johan Persson |
The
final icing on the cake is the tight live music from the 12 piece orchestra
under the direction of Ian Townsend. They helped with keeping up the energy of
the show. Even though it runs for 2 hours 45 minutes, the show flies by and
doesn’t lag. The new songs fit in nicely between the old classics like A
Spoonful of Sugar and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
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| Photo: Johan Persson |
On
stage there is a great chemistry between the members of the cast. Zizi is well
cast at Mary Poppins, the glint in her eye and control of the children is just
how you’d imagine the character. Matt
Lee is a much better “one of the lads” Bert than Dick Van Dyke achieved. Neil
Roberts captures the father really well whilst Rebecca Lock has a beautiful
voice, as showcased in the song Being Mrs Banks.
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| Photo: Johan Persson |
The
Banks’s children are being played by a pool of children. On this evening’s show
Felicity and Diego act with a maturity which is amazing considering that
they’re only 11 and 10 years of age respectively. They didn’t put a foot wrong
all night.
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| Photo: Johan Persson |
The
colourful set and special effects really add to what is already a magnificent
show. Really ingenious set design facilitate the wonderful pace of the show as
it changes from house to park to bedroom to the rooftops without stopping the
action.
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| Photo: Johan Persson |
Mary
Poppins is, quite rightly, creating a real buzz around Newcastle. A great cast in a
stunning production is a real draw for the theatre going public. Our family
left the show with grins on our faces as we had seen something rather special.
This review was written by Stephen Oliver the North East Theatre Guide – follow Stephen at @panic_c_button
Read
the North East Theatre Guide Preview http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/preview-mary-poppins-at-newcastle.html
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| Photo: Johan Persson |
Tickets:
Mary Poppins plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Friday 9th September – Saturday 29th October 2016. Tickets are from £22.50 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).
Mary Poppins plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Friday 9th September – Saturday 29th October 2016. Tickets are from £22.50 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).
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