The name "Mary Poppins" probably conjures up images of Julie Andrews, Dick van Dyke, flying umbrellas and singing kids. The popular Disney film has now been adapted for the stage and opened at London's Price Edward Theatre on 15th December 2004 - just in time for Christmas. The critics gave it a mixed reception with many feeling it was more Royal Shakespeare than Disney. It has certainly been given a more serious treatment, some even found "dark undertones". The sugar of the film production has been replaced by saccharine and Cameron Mackintosh's production is certainly aimed at a more adult audience. Indeed, there were signs that the young children amongst them were getting decidedly restless for long periods, something you didn't find in adaptations of other Disney shows such as "The Lion King" or "Beauty and the Beast". They perked up, however, heartily joining in favourite numbers such as "Supercalifragilistic...etc" and "Chim Chim Cheree". All the old songs from the film are still there, plus a couple of new ones specially written for the stage version. One word which cropped up in a number of reviews was "pretentious". It was as if the writers felt they knew something the audience didn't.
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Playing the role of Mary Poppins is a great home-grown talent - Rosie Ashe. Once described as a cross between Joyce Grenfell and Barbara Windsor, Rosie had already starred in stage shows featuring the music of Cole Porter and Noel Coward. This is her biggest opportunity yet and, by all accounts, she steals every scene in which she appears.
The critics have, on the whole, applauded the lack of schmaltz in this production. Maybe the odd spoonful of sugar remains. |
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