Mary Poppins - Prince Edward Theatre

Sad to see Charlie is leaving, I thought he was a fantastic Bert and he and Zizi were great together. I’m sure he’ll be fantastic in Crazy For You though.

Yes, the Broadway World article’s wording implies the same I thought. (‘Replacing Charlie Stemp whilst he performs…’)

Yup, all his shows feel way more mechanical, plasticky and rushed now. The soul of a lot of them just isn't what it was, especially with his 'big two'. I feel though that the strength of the cast of the MP revival (Petula Clark aside) means that this effect isn't quite as bad at the Prince Edward as it is at the Sondheim or at Her Majesty's.



He really did feel like a horny teen in love with Sierra Boggess; it was creepy. Remember when he said Connie Fisher was as big a star as Elaine Paige and John Barrowman? Ah, digressing again, this isn't the thread for it.

Saw today, can't remember her name my apologies but it was the 2nd cover's debut today and you wouldn't even notice she slotted in very well!

Unfortunately, I feel the show is overworked, over polished, and a little shrill at times. Why has Mrs. Banks lost her suffragette plot? Now instead of both parents being too busy for their kids she is the doormat doting wife (although I did love her solo number). The bird lady contributes... nothing? Unless I missed it? I just thought the whole show a great shame, as the familiar songs just sort of appear with no rhyme or reason, very surface-level when there's so much you could work with.

Charlie was nice, but casting Bert and Poppins so young just doesn't contribute much, and feels like children playing as grown ups. Jane was great, the cook (apologies I forgot her character name!) was so fun, the butler is a bit of a pointless addition. Big production and slick, would have loved to have seen the original house but this one was still pretty good.

Just felt a little disappointed, and for a long show still felt rushed.

Oh get over yourself, actors are entitled to Annual Leave and was probably booked in months in advance.

Can’t agree. Think Zizi is great in the role.

Julie Andrews was 29 when the film was made. Scarlett Strallen was 23 , Laura Michelle Kelly was 22 when originating their roles. Zizi at 26 when she first played Mary was not out of line with previous Mary's!

EXACTLY!!!!! So put it on the shows website so people that DO give a sh!t can have the choice. Nobody is saying that actors are not entitled to holidays, but they’re also not the Queen or all that. Some are in the privileged position of having people who idolise them and want to come and see them. This is why it should be transparent, because why should those people shell out £40+ on the ‘chance’ that their hero isn’t on; especially with some productions insisting on holiday date blackouts too.

I totally agree…Zizi reads very young. I second Joanna Riding. I think she originally did some of the workshops and then they decided to cast younger and they offered her Mrs. Banks which she passed on.

Now booking until 2nd October!

Another show I was glad to return to tonight (despite some very poor audience behaviour - Group of 120 visiting from South America seemingly did not understand the concept of not using phones during the show - bravo to the ushers though!). It's in great shape and Zizi and Charlie both on top form. And a super strong supporting cast all around.