“The Perfect Nanny” Mary Poppins the Musical review

With her cheery disposition, rosy cheeks and versatile singing voice, Zizi Strallen fits the Banks children’s description of their perfect nanny – well, just about perfectly. Nevertheless, in this take on Mary Poppins, there’s a fierce independence and no-nonsense attitude offsetting all the sweetness and kindness underneath, with hard lessons just as plentiful as sweets and treats.

Blending elements of the iconic Disney film (including the Sherman Bros soundtrack), with the original vision of the characters as laid out by P. L. Travers in her books, Mary Poppins on stage presents us with rather naughtier children and a much more troubled family. Here, Mrs Banks fondly remembers her former acting career and longs to socialise with her own friends who are not “the right sort of people”. She also wonders why the family needs a nanny when she’s at home to look after the children – but for people of their social status, it’s simply the done thing. Meanwhile, Mr Banks has some demons of his own to deal with, primarily in the form of his nanny, Miss Andrew, who arrives to keep the children in-line after Mary Poppins mysteriously disappears.

Milo Twomey is heart-wrenching as a well-meaning if misguided George Banks, the firm but gentle lord of his castle providing for the heirs to his dominion. When we meet Miss Andrew, it’s not hard to see where things went wrong for him – Penelope Woodman is an absolute horror of a pantomime villain, devouring the scenery in the best possible way. Matt Lee as the ever-optimistic chimney sweep Bert is certainly glad company throughout the show. But perhaps most impressive of all are the children themselves, whose performances are as confident and compelling as any.

Who you’ll get depends on when you go: there are 7-8 actors playing Jane and Michael in rotation. But there are plenty of grown-ups involved, too. As well as a massive ensemble cast with six swings to cover them, there are also two understudies for each of the leading roles.

“In a lot of touring shows, the ensemble casts are cut down, so you might have about eight people on stage. In this, there are thirty,” said Company Manager Neil White.

“People in Birmingham are essentially getting a West End show without having to pay a ridiculous price to go to London and see it.”

It helps, of course, there’s huge respect and trust between everyone involved, from the stars themselves to the washers and ironers busily working backstage  – and hence they find their task is not a grind.

“Unlike when you just do a show in London, on a touring production we’re like a second family. You get to know how everyone works,” said Neil.

Combined with a warm reception from every audience and the satisfaction of a job well done, this camaraderie is all the sugar this magic team needs to help their medicine go down, and the result is undeniably delightful.

Mary Poppins the Musical will be here until the wind changes (on 23 April). Tickets are available to book online or via our Box Office on 0844 338 5000 (charges apply).

Written by Heather Kincaid