Sweeping back into the West End from October, Mary Poppins will return to the Prince Edward Theatre, with Zizi Strallen in the titular role and Charlie Stemp as Bert.
Disney’s internationally award-winning musical will return to its original West End home following an absence from Theatreland of six years. Mary Poppins’ run will come at the conclusion of that of Disney’s Aladdin.
Audiences can look forward to being transported to the magical world of Mary Poppins on Cherry Tree Lane through dazzling choreography, stunning visual effects and unforgettable songs. The show brings to life on stage the beloved Walt Disney film and the wonderful stories of PL Travers.
Strallen will return to the main part, which she played in a 2015 UK and international tour, while Stemp’s casting comes after an Olivier Award-nominated performance in Half A Sixpence, a leading role in Palladium pantomime Dick Whittington, and a Broadway debut in Hello, Dolly!.
Zizi Strallen (Mary Poppins) and Charlie Stemp (Bert) in Mary Poppins (Photo: Seamus Ryan)
The stage production of Mary Poppins is co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. The award-winning original creative team returns, led by director Richard Eyre, with co-direction and choreography from Matthew Bourne, co-choreography by Stephen Mear, a book by Julian Fellowes, and a beloved score by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman, which includes the classic songs Step In Time, Feed The Birds and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
Cameron Mackintosh said at the show’s announcement: “I’m thrilled to be bringing the internationally acclaimed new staging of Pamela Travers’ magical stories back to London in the autumn of 2019, with Disney, featuring the dazzling talents of Zizi Strallen and Charlie Stemp as Mary and Bert. The original production, over 14 years ago, only played London and Broadway and subsequently was revised and continues to be staged around the world with phenomenal success.
“Its story of the importance of family is at the heart of the show and the reason why this iconic British nanny remains irresistibly timeless and popular the world over.”
Mary Poppins originally opened in the West End in December 2004, running for three years and winning two Olivier Awards. The Tony Award-winning Broadway production then ran for over six years. The show has been seen by over 11 million people worldwide.
Tickets for the new West End run of Mary Poppins are now on sale!
First published 14 September 2018; Updated 28 January 2019