Audience treated to a magical night of fun and wonder as Mary Poppins comes to Norwich Theatre Royal.
So lets start by getting all the puns out of the way… Yes! It was ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’! Yes! It was ‘Practically Perfect in Every Single Way’ and Yes! It did leave everyone stepping in time! It really was a ‘Jolly Holiday’! All joking aside, show was jam packed with lively and energetic musical numbers and quirky characters that really were ‘A Spoonful Of Sugar’ during the week… okay, that one was a bit of a stretch.
The set was amazing and a huge selling point for the show, I could easily spend all day looking at it. The main piece was a doll house like building that opened to reveal the Banks home on Cherry Tree Lane. This was really interesting as you felt you were peering in with Bert and seeing the story unfold before your eyes. A great scene was the scene in the magical sweet shop owned by the feisty and hilarious Mrs. Corry. A bright coloured tent filled the stage and matched with the crazy characters inside the shop (one looking like she came straight from ‘Wicked’) it was a fun filled and highly enjoyable scene leaving the audience clapping and laughing all the way through! Other great moments for set included the bank scenes. A huge grey drawing of the interior of a bank made the stage dull and boring, exactly what you think the bank should be like. This, along with the clockwork and ordered movements of the cast in their black and grey suits helped show the mundane and boring life of the bank. Contrasting brilliantly with the fun scenes with Mary, such as ‘Jolly Holiday’ where even the statues were magical!
Mary Poppins as played by Zizi Strallen. She played the prim and proper, magical nanny very well. However, it was very different from the Julie Andrews version, but none the less it was highly enjoyable and she played the role amazingly. Showing of her vocal range and amazing spelling skills! Bert was played by Matt Lee, he successfully portrayed the lovable Jack of all trades made famous by Dick Van Dyke. He took us through the story with humour and cheekiness, with perfect comedy timing and cockney charm. The children playing Jane and Michael were phenomenal. To be able to perform at that high of a standard at that age is just incredible and a treat to watch! Showing the amazing development from bratty kids to caring and kind children. Mr Banks was funny and great to watch however I wish he was a bit more strict at the beginning to show more change. Mrs Banks, left the audience moved during her song ‘Being Mrs Banks’. Beautiful. A special mention must go to Wendy Ferguson playing the house maid perfectly! We were in bits as she delivered comedy lines and showed us her no nonsense approach to being the maid. A stand out performance! The whole company was incredible really made the show as magical as it could be.
A stand out moment has to be ‘Step in Time’. The iconic musical number performed by the chimney sweeps of London leaves you toe-tapping and clapping and wanting more. With an incredible tap routine and character being shown in every move it was amazing. ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ was also incredible, the dance routine left your brain just as crazy as the characters doing it! A highly enjoyable musical number!
Overall, Mary Poppins was incredible. Although it is very different to the version we are used to in the film. It is an amazing piece of musical theatre and a great fun family show, that will leave both parents and children in awe. Every magical moment is a treat for the audience and who can resist which has people flying in it?! A magical evening and a magical show! A must see!
