Scarlett Strallen to Star as the West End's New Mary Poppins

Scarlett Strallen will be the West End's new Mary Poppins. She takes over for Laura Michelle Kelly, who won an Oliver Award for her performance in the title role, on October 31. Also joining the Mary Poppins cast that day will be Aden Gillett as George Banks, Eliza Lumley as Winifred Banks and Sarah Flind as Mrs. Brill.

Strallen recently appeared in Twelfth Night and HMS Pinafore at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre. Her West End credits include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Witches of Eastwick, Peggy Sue Got Married, Mamma Mia! and Aspects of Love.

Gillett's stage credits include Much Ado About Nothing, Blithe Spirit, Betrayal, Design for Living, Noises Off, The Seagull and Three Sisters. He has also starred in numerous television series, including Taggart, Peak Practice, Silent Witness and The House of Eliott.

Lumley was a member of the original London casts of both Mamma Mia! and Jerry Springer--The Opera. She also appeared in the National Theatre production of Jumpers in London and on Broadway.

Flind's theatrical credits include last spring's production of Hedda Gabler at the Almeida and Ivanov at the National Theatre. She also appeared with Gillett in the David Mamet film version of The Winslow Boy.

Gavin Lee will continue to play Bert in Mary Poppins. Also remaining with the show are Rosemary Ashe and Julia Sutton.