Mary Poppins - Prince Edward Theatre

Just watching the cast on the RVP and wondering if Charlie Stemp has any actual bones in his body? He is a dancing machine!

For those interested

Charlie Stemp's 'Here We Go!' at 11.23 in the RVP Video is priceless.

WOW - Petula has got HUGELY better since first preview hasn't she!

Also, Charlie's HERE WE GO is INCREDIBLE

Does anyone know of any offers on this yet? Hoping to go in February.

I easily got tickets for the lottery. £25 front row

Thanks will try for the lottery.

Saw this tonight and trying to compare this with the original production that I saw.

Am I right in thinking that in the original Mary flew up higher in the final flight? I seem to remember Laura Michele Kelly going right up to the ceiling?

I enjoyed this production but it did seem to be the touring version with a few extra special effects thrown in.

Yes, she definitely flew right up to the ceiling originally. I think this covers part of the reason what I was a little dissatisfied with the show last night, I’ve seen this production many times on tour and have loved it. But there is no doubt that due to the mechanisms needed to create some of the Illusions / entrances / exits from the original, the touring equivalents are just not as good. I could accept that on tour but given that this show is now back in its original London home and hopefully for a long run, I hoped for better. It’s hard for me to be specific without giving away spoilers but it felt a little cheap. Add to that a couple of missed cues ( Mrs Brill opened the door , closed it again and then burst in looking surprised at one point, and the big reveal at the end of Brinstone and Treacle was spoilt by the child half opening the door then waiting) , it just didn’t feel as slick. Performance wise, the children were great as were the actresses playing Mrs Banks and Mrs Corry. Nothing wrong with any of the others but it felt a bit underpowered, as if going through the motions a bit when it came to the dialogue.

This sounds very negative; but despite all this we had a lovely night. Once the dialogue stopped and the music started, all doubts disappeared. The song and dance sequences were as wonderful as ever, particularly highlights being Step In Tine, and Anything Can Happen, other than what I have outlined above, the staging is beautiful and it’s still a show I would highly recommend. It’s just that it isn’t quite as good as the original and that the previous tour cast were stronger.

So overall a very solid 4 stars from me which in any other night would be great but on this occasion. felt like a comedown from previous visits

This may be of some interest, explains the old house a bit marypoppinsphs.weebly.com/uploads/9/1/9/4/9194658/mary_poppins_sightline.pdf and here's a link to some images which includes the original house www.rbbm.photos/mary-poppins the images are from towards the end of the run.

As to where she flew to I've seen Mary Poppins in a few different theatres (Bristol, Prince Edward, Birmingham, Curve) so it's a bit tricky to remember exactly which was which. I've been trying to find photos online of the auditorium taken from the very back of the highest level but can't find anything that useful useful. However if you have a look you'll see that at the front of both circles there are columns? that go up the walls of the theatre, they then have an arch that is lower than the ceiling that goes across the top. I have this vague feeling that there was a door/hole in this arch that she stepped into. I may be wrong but I don't think she went into the ceiling.

If anyone is every just looking for some interesting info about Mary Poppins I remember watching these videos and finding them very interesting, here's the link to part 1 but the others are usually easily found, most likely the next video to play would be part 2 (Part 7 mentions the two different houses but they talk more about the current version). It's a shame they didn't make the videos over here but for Broadway, which was also the problem I have with the making of book, I do have a copy of it but wished it had more about the UK production and less about Broadway.

^In the Dress Circle slips this afternoon and Zizi flies up towards you and up onto a ledge above you.Very impressive flying in a show packed with clever magic tricks.It’s a blink and you’ll miss something kind of show.
The DC slips are a bargain at roughly £40.Already re-booked same seats for late February.Big shout out to the very friendly FOH staff.Such a privilege to see the iconic Petula Clark in the flesh.
A wonderful show.Feels like money has been thrown at it.
This is a beautiful theatre.One of my favourites to visit.

Has anyone got a picture of the view from the dress circle slips everyone is raving about? SeatPlan don't seem to list them!!