Bristol Gets First Look at New Mary Poppins
by Broadway Staff • Sep 29, 2004
The new musical version of Mary Poppins had opened its pre-West End tryout at the Bristol Hippodrome on September 28. The show, which is being backed by Disney Theatricals and Cameron Mackintosh, is based on one of the most beloved books and movies of our time and has the Prince Edward Theatre reserved for a December 15 opening. Only local press was invited to review this opening, and so the two area papers have the only official critiques of the show. Did the locals think the production was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?
Here is a sampling of what they had to say:
The Western Daily Press: "Somerset theatrical director Cameron Mackintosh's triumph here is that he has taken Mary Poppins from page to stage with style, flair, adventure and considerable panache. From the moment Mary Poppins is blown in to No 17 Cherry Tree Lane, London, and refurbishes the children's room from an empty travel bag with sleight of hand the audience knows a treat is in store. Laura Michelle Kelly leads the cast as Mary Poppins… and holds centre of attention in every scene. She is wonderfully supported by Gavin Lee as Bert the chimney sweep who has his Cockney patter down to a fine art. Every other member of cast from the domineering George Banks David Haig and his put-upon wife Winifred Linzi Hateley and including every supporting actor and actress make this magic musical come alive."
Here is a sampling of what they had to say:
The Western Daily Press: "Somerset theatrical director Cameron Mackintosh's triumph here is that he has taken Mary Poppins from page to stage with style, flair, adventure and considerable panache. From the moment Mary Poppins is blown in to No 17 Cherry Tree Lane, London, and refurbishes the children's room from an empty travel bag with sleight of hand the audience knows a treat is in store. Laura Michelle Kelly leads the cast as Mary Poppins… and holds centre of attention in every scene. She is wonderfully supported by Gavin Lee as Bert the chimney sweep who has his Cockney patter down to a fine art. Every other member of cast from the domineering George Banks David Haig and his put-upon wife Winifred Linzi Hateley and including every supporting actor and actress make this magic musical come alive."
Richard Lowe and Bill Davis of The Evening Post: "This world premiere wasn't about the stars flocking through the doors and posing for the cameras. This night was all about creating genuine and almost tangible excitement about going to the theatre and about enjoying a night of song, dance and wonderful spectacle the city hasn't seen in a long time. And, as the crowd rose as one to a standing ovation as the curtain fell, there was no one there wondering who was sitting in the audience with them. The show was really the only star of the night worth bothering with."