It hit home just how really good the current revival of Mary Poppins when it had ended.
As we all swarmed out of a Prince Edward Theatre (packed to the rafters) I overheard any number of loud and glowing impromptu reviews.
People who clearly did not know each other were sharing the joy at what they had just been part of.
The very diverse nature of the audience was also obvious, with older and young theatre goers from a number of discernable nationalities coming together for a wonderful musical experience.
That Mary Poppins – the Musical is able to attract all sorts is due to its gentle premise and with a storyline that is universally known.
But after the dark and often diverse days of Brexit it offers a big 'spoonful of sugar' to help that particular medicine go down.
We are in a Disneyesque London where Mr Banks, a banker, has neither the time nor inclination to look after his two mischievous children and who is of the opinion that his status prevents his loving and long-suffering wife from taking a hands on motherly role.
While a nanny is the option, those available are unable to cope with the kids until, and 'out of the blue', along comes Mary Poppins, an angel of a nanny in every sense of the word.
Because we all know what is going to happen, there is nothing for it but to sit back and enjoy a stream of spectacular set pieces, magical high jinks and show stopping musical numbers including Jolly Holiday, Step in Time, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Feed the Birds.
From first to last one know what to expect, indeed what we want, from Mary Poppins and that's exactly what we get in this vibrant, colourful and very lavish production.
As an audience we are swept along on a collective wave of carefree good conjured
up by a large and exceptional cast supported by a fine full orchestra.
And bringing it all together majestically are Charlie Stemp as Bert and Zizi Strallen as Mary and they dominate almost every scene and large production number.
Having seen Charlie Stemp's mesmerising performance in Half a Sixpence, I did not think his Bert could compare. It does.
And Zizi Strallen gives a truly shimmering performance that retains all the charm of Mary while add an underlying substance to her.
Finally, a mention for Petula Clark as the Bird Woman. It is heart warming to see the audience response to a star that has shone so brightly for so long.
Mary Poppins – the Musical rightly deserves the plaudits being richly lavished upon it.
If you don't believe me, be at the Prince Edward Theatre at the end of any performance and hear for yourself.
Disney the Musical
The stage production of Mary Poppins is adapted from the stories by PL Travers and the 1964 Disney film.
See also :
https://www.allwaystraveller.com/continents/europe/sixpence-for-the-light-fantastic