Multi award winning musical to stage in Plymouth next year
It’s the children’s classical musical which has seen generations of youngsters grow up knowing that a ‘spoonful of sugar’ helps the medicine go down and that nothing can ever beat the idea of ‘flying a kite to the highest height.’
Penguin waiters and chimney sweeps create the magical backdrop for a very prim and proper Victorian setting as we follow the tale of the nanny and the family from London’s Number Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane.
Fans of Jane and Michael Banks’ adventures can pen 26 February to 29 March, 2025, into their diaries, following Cameron Mackintosh and Disney Theatrical Group’s recent announcement for its staging at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
It’s part of the musical’s UK and Ireland tour following it’s West End run. It’s now 20 years following its world premier in Bristol and record breaking productions across the globe.
The tour is scheduled to run at Bristol, Dublin, Edinburgh, Plymouth and Manchester. It’s expected further venues to be announced.
Acclaimed Australian stars, Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers reprise their roles as Mary Poppins and Bert, having both received critical acclaim and nightly standing ovations for their performances in the recent Australian production.
The Age hailed Stefanie as being ‘a terrific Mary Poppins, who gives an impeccable performance,’ and called Jack Chambers, ‘a glorious Bert, with happy feet and a thousand-watt smile.’
‘Spectacular new National tour’
‘It is amazingly already 20 years since Mary Poppins first landed onto the stage at the Bristol Hippodrome and started spreading Pamela Travers’ magical stories around the great cities of the world,’ says Producer and Co-creator Cameron Mackintosh.
‘Mary has soared triumphantly around the globe and our recent Australian production discovered two of the most delightful Mary and Berts ever – Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers – whom I’m thrilled to be bringing to the United Kingdom and Ireland to star in this spectacular new National tour.’
‘They are heading a wonderful cast and I’m sure you will find this the most magical production of Mary Poppins ever, practically perfect in every way!’
‘It is a joy to bring this glorious production back to the UK and Ireland under the guiding hand of our long-time partner Cameron Mackintosh,’ says Thomas Schumacher, Chief Creative Officer and Producer, Disney Theatrical Group.
‘It is a privilege to keep the beloved tale of Mary and the Banks family alive for audiences who know it well, and for a new generation of theatregoers.’
Stefanie Jones established herself in the firmament of Australian Leading Ladies when she starred in the Australian National Tour of Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s production of Mary Poppins.
For her portrayal she received a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Leading Role in a Musical.
She was also a 2016 finalist in the ANZ Trustees prestigious Rob Guest Endowment Competition. Stefanie’s screen credits include the role of Megan Dennison in Neighbours.
Jack Chambers’ training started at the age of three at the Julie-Ann Lucas School of Dance, Brisbane. He has performed throughout Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.
He became well known to Australian audiences by winning the first season of So You Think You Can Dance Australia in 2008.
His musical theatre credits include Kurt Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Link Larkin in Hairspray and Cosmo Brown in Singin’ in the Rain.
Jack has worked internationally as a choreographer and teacher, including at the Joffrey Ballet School and Peridance Capezio Centre in Manhattan NYC.
Mary Poppins has original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman with new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.
The book is by Julian Fellowes and this production is co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. It has orchestrations by William David Brohn and dance and vocal arrangements by George Stiles.
It has sound design by Paul Gatehouse and lighting by Hugh Vanstone. Co-Choreography is by Stephen Mear. The set and costume designs are by Bob Crowley.
Co-direction and choreography is by Matthew Bourne and direction is by Richard Eyre.