Mary Poppins - Prince Edward Theatre

I saw Scarlett Strallen as Mary in the original production and thought she was good but would have loved to have seen Laura Michelle Kelly or Lisa O'Hare.

Never liked Zizi's singing either. I'm not a vocal expert but the way she sings vowels in the higher and lower notes sounds nasally with an uncontrolled trill.

First time hearing her sing "Practically pEEErfect in every wAAAy!". Oof!

Also prefer Laura Michelle Kelly's poised and collected Mary Poppins, whereas Zizi's is beams and smiles all the time.

I've seen Charlie Stemp do cockney in Half a Sixpence. Yet somehow he has to exaggerate it here.

I think the Travers estate and possibly Disney would veto that sort of casting for Mary! 

An older Mary would be interesting casting but I suspect that Disney wants Mary as a character to be eternally young when depicted on stage or screen.

I'm probably wrong but I think PL Travers didn't approve of Julie Andrews as Mary although TBH she didn't approve of anything that was in the film!

I do wish that Becky Lock had come back to play Mary - she understudied it in final cast of the original production - I agree that it's a role that feels like it should be a touch older than its currently being played (at least with Scarlett she read a bit older!)

If ever a role screamed Emma Williams it's this one. She can move but I don't think she's a trained dancer so I wonder if that's why? Zizi, although I agree with other posters that she doesn't sing in a way that's to my taste, can dance like few others.

Now offering “magic seats” for £30 on TodayTix.
Just rush but £5 more so not sure what’s so magic 😂.

I got Dress Circle row B
£125 down to £30

I managed to get a Magic Seat yesterday. Fourth row of the Stalls, to the side, but a good row. The rake is not good there though.

A detailed announcement at the start about phones and sweets, but nothing about masks! Most people didn't wear them. I couldn't find a cast board either (if it was there, it's in a part of the theatre you're ushered away from).

I think all the leads were on, but it's hard to tell. The children were very good. I've only just looked at the cast list to find out it was Harry Francis hiding away as a statue, which really doesn't allow him to show his physique at its best.

I enjoyed watching this much more than I remember with previous viewings, despite being surrounded by a very fidgety audience. Perhaps it's just the joy of seeing a big production up close? It's still the kind of show where viewing once a year is enough, but it's an excellent deal if you can get a decent Magic Seat.

Well she was tap dancing away in memories of the musicals the other week at Kilworth after just having had a baby. I think she’d cope

Phew, that was a narrow escape!

Actually Julie Andrews was one of the few things she approved of--and she said that had she been directed properly, she would have been even better as Mary Poppins.
Also, when casting Julie Andrews Disney asked Travers herself how old Mary Poppins is and she replied "26 or 27".
In general, I like Zizi, but I believe that all productions after 2016 present Mary Poppins more as a caricature. I don't know if this is Richard Eyre's decision or CM or a resident director's. I saw the Mexican production and although Mary has a wonderful voice, the way shes goes up the stairs is way too comical for me.
Sometimes I do miss LMK's mysterious aura or Scarlett's performance (better than LMK at dancing).