Thoroughly enjoyed myself at Cameron MacIntosh's new production of "Mary Poppins" at the Prince Edward Theatre.
It's a darker version of the story than the 1964 Disney movie. There's more of a focus on the harsh relationship between the Father, George Banks, and his children.
Laura Michelle Kelly makes a wonderful Poppins. I saw her a few years ago as Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady" at the Drury Lane Theatre Royale.
Gavin Lee makes quite an impression as Bert the Chimneysweep, especially during the "Step In Time" number where he tap dances up one wall of the stage, upside down across the proscenium and then down the other wall. The crowd went wild.
But Kelly made the most dramatic stage exit I've ever seen at the end of the show when she, powered by her umbrella, flies way out over the audience and disappears in a hole in the ceiling. (Take that Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.)
Matthew Bourne is the Co-Director and Choreographer so the dancing was, as you would expect, creative, highly intricate and beautiful.
This time the entire audience participated in a Standing Ovation. Something I never thought I would see in London.
No comments:
Post a Comment