Mary Poppins | Sunderland Empire
Review by Stephen Stokoe | 3rd October 2025
The north east is being spoiled rotten with theatre and talent this month and first up for me was this spectacular stage adaptation of the much-loved 1964 movie Mary Poppins. Only two days since the musical icon Julie Andrews turned 90, it is perhaps appropriate that I was once again in the presence of P L Travers’ titular nanny this time played practically perfectly by Stefanie Jones.
Even before the curtain rose, there was excitement in the theatre with people excitedly jostling to get to their seats. The atmosphere was one of good humoured anticipation and the sparkling animated show cloth just added to the atmosphere showing the smoking chimneys of the rooftops of London – cor what a sight!
This production is very much a sum of its parts and the attention to detail is simply incredible. When you bring such an iconic and beloved film to the stage then, for example, the costumes (Bob Crowley) have to be right. Not only were they spit spot on in every regard, the cleverness in which some of the costumes were used was nothing short of genius.
The set, as you would expect from the exacting standards of Cameron Mackintosh and the magical world of Disney showed that no expense was spared and as the orchestra, under the direction of Isaac McCullough struck the first chords there was no doubt that this was going to be no ordinary performance.
Bert (Jack Chambers) acts as a kind of narrator of the show and offers insights on what is to come. His cheeky cockney charm flows out from the stage and his vocals and dancing skills are mesmerising. His interactions with the children and Ms Poppins herself are a joy to watch and Chambers really makes Bert his own with a twinkle in his eye and more than a few skips in his step. In time he is let loose with one of the most amazing ensemble stow-stopping dance number in act two.
This version of P L Travers nanny penned by Downton Abbey writer Julian Fellowes blends the magic and heart of the Disney movie with the darker elements of the original book quite beautifully. While a spoonful of sugar may help the medicine go down, there is something to be gained from adding brimstone and treacle to the mix to cut through the saccharine. It works a treat as the children Michael (Oliver Manning) and Jane Banks (Connie Jones) are allowed to be mischievous, uppity and occasionally rude in their interpretations which they pull off magnificently.
Aside from Ms Poppins herself who, as we have already discussed, is practically perfect, there is a more rounded and fully feel to the adults too. George Banks (Michael D. Xavier) delivers the pompous, distracted businessman played by David Tomlinson in the movie with an elegant seasoning of Basil Fawlty while Mrs Banks (Sarah-Marie Maxwell) offers the innocent and sweet out-of-her-depth mother with added fortitude as her confidence grows throughout the story.
I said that this production is the sum of its parts, and in terms of the cast, there are some outstanding performances from the lesser known characters from the story. The Bird Lady (Patti Boulaye) is adorable, Miss Andrew (Wendy Ferguson) is terrifying as is only correct, local actor Nathan Elwick puts in a grand performance as Northbrook among other characters and Miss Lark (Rachael Ward) is fantastic along with her puppet furry friend. The partnership of downstairs staff Miss Brill (Rosemary Ashe) and Robertson Ay (Ruairidh McDonald) is hilarious as the latter is terrorised by the overworked and underappreciated cook-cum-housekeeper. A special mention has to go to Cameron Thomas Jones who puts in an athletic and animated performance as Neleus but also to all the other amazing dancers and ensemble who put in a tireless shift at this performance.
There is magic to be found everywhere in this production, whether it be from the wonderful music (Richard M and Robert B Sherman, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe), the theatre magic and trickery (Paul Kieve and Jim Steinmeyer), the direction and choreography (Director Richard Ayre, UK Tour Director James Powell, Associate Director Mark Hedges and Co Director/Choreographer Matthew Bourne.)
There is not one part of this production that I can fault and, having seen the lavish west end production, this is not a cut price tour version. I skipped out of the theatre having had a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious time.
Whatever you have planned for the month of October, then make sure one of those plans is a step in time across the rooftops of London to fly a kite, or feed the birds with the Bankses, Bert and Mary Poppins on Cherry Tree Lane.