SYNOPSIS

Mary Poppins

The story of Mary Poppins is familiar to millions of people around the globe. Originally capturing hearts and minds through a series of children's books, the first of which was published in 1934, everyone's favourite supernanny became a hit when immortalised in the 1964 film by actress Julie Andrews. It is estimated that more than 200 million viewers have watched the film, which also stars Dick van Dyke as 'jack-of-all-trades' Bert.

In 2004, on her 70th birthday, Mary Poppins took to the West End stage as a musical for the very first time. The groundbreaking production brings the story of the 'perfect nanny' and her impact on the Banks' family alive for a whole new generation. It has won two Olivier Awards and is lauded by critics for its technical merit and creativity.

Now showing at London's Prince Edward Theatre, the musical version of Mary Poppins is simply one not to be missed!

Down at Cherry Tree Lane

Number 17, Cherry Tree Lane is home to the dysfunctional Banks family. Head of the household George works at the bank, while his wife, Winifred, struggles to cope with the wayward behaviour of their two children - Jane and Michael - who have just managed to drive the last of a succession of nanny's charged to look after them out of the house.

Jane and Michael want the 'perfect nanny' - someone who they can boss around and who will play games with them. Their father, quite naturally, wants somebody quite different - a nanny who will discipline the children and bring them into line. When George finds an advertisement for the perfect nanny written out by Jane and Michael he is furious. He rips it up and throws it into the fire, pieces of which float up the chimney. A short while later Mary Poppins arrives out of nowhere, and sets about - with a little bit of magic - putting everything right in the Banks household.

She teaches the children to drop their prejudices about people and look beyond appearances. But getting the children (and their father) to control their tempers is a little trickier. To resolve the issue Mary Poppins employs some shock tactics -- she leaves the home and is replaced by her nemesis, Miss Andrews, a tyrant of a woman who uses heavy-handed tactics to get what she wants from the family.

Scared of Miss Andrews, the Banks's hope that Mary Poppins will one day return. She does, and realising that lessons have been learnt, the Banks take action to change for the better. The show ends with the Banks as one big happy family, and Mary Poppins, knowing that her job is complete, disappearing off into the ether.

West End Creative Team

The West End production of Mary Poppins is a collaboration between Disney Theatrical, Sir Cameron Mackintosh and several other big names in American and British theatre. The Sherman Brothers - Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman - contributed music and lyrics to the project, as did music composer George William Stiles. British actor Julian Fellowes wrote the storybook, while the dream team of Richard Eyre and Matthew Bourne direct the production.

Mary Poppins is due to close at the Prince Edward Theatre in 2008, after which an international touring version of the musical will start out in UK theatres.

PLEASE NOTE: MARY POPPINS is recommended for children 7 years and up. The running time is approximately 2 hours 50 minutes with one interval.