REVIEW: Mary Poppins at Sunderland Empire

Mary Poppins

Sunderland Empire

Until Saturday 25 October 2025

At 21 years old, Cameron Mackintosh’s clever opening-up of Disney’s immortal classic is as fresh and bright as a new pin in this new touring production. Breathtaking staging, technical wizardry and a top-notch cast make for a dazzling and thoroughly satisfying evening of theatre.

Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, with a cartoon cast including dancing penguins, were a tough act to follow but Cameron Mackintosh is never afraid of a challenge. With a book by Downton Abbey’s Julian Fellows and additional songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, choreography by Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mears, and Richard Eyre sharing directorial duties with Bourne, one would expect something special. And that is what happened. The story of the mysterious and magical nanny who appears when needed to sort out the lives of George and Winifred Banks and their rebellious children, Jane and Michael, is in very safe hands.

Having first seen the show fifteen years ago on Broadway and being dazzled by the scope and invention of the staging, I was very curious to see how the show could be delivered by a touring company. The answer is – superbly. From the two-storey house on Cherry Tree Lane that opens up just like Jane Banks’ doll’s house to the, well, I won’t spoil things by revealing what else happens. I will say, however that the chimneys sweeps’ rooftop dance number is a sparkling highlight. 

The show is, at times, darker than the film and introduces a number of other characters. It goes deeper into the background and character of George Banks, putting his redemption more at the centre of the story, which gives the show its heart. All the technical brilliance and the stunning musical numbers performed by an unimpeachable cast would be for nothing if the show did not have an emotional depth and relatability. Here the balance is perfect. 

All the expected numbers are here, though not presented in the same way as the film. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is a dazzling delight, as is Jolly Holiday, so bright and imaginative one never misses the dancing penguins.

Mary Poppins is played by Stefanie Jones, star of the Australian tour and she is joined by Jack Chambers, her co-star from that tour, as Bert. They are wonderfully at ease and polished in their roles, as you might expect. Jones manages the tricky task of balancing Poppins’ steely determination and her warmth. This is a formidable portrayal and one feels grateful she is on the side of the angels, which is true to PL Travers’ original creation. Her voice is as clear and true as a bell. Chambers’ Bert, by contrast, is all warmth and empathy. If his diction, at times, left a little to be desired, his gently cheeky personality and his wonderful dancing more than made up for it.

This choice pairing is well complemented by the Banks Family. Michael D Xavier’s George is a splendid creation. He manages to balance the necessary sternness and pomposity of the hidebound banker with an underlying vulnerability that makes the character surprisingly likeable.  Sarah-Marie Maxwell (understudying for Lucie-May Sumner at this performance) is a warm, convivial Winifred, struggling to keep up the front to the world that George deems necessary.

Emma Harold (understudying for Rosemary Ashe at this performance) and Ruaridh McDonald, as the domestics, bring lots of comedy and Sharon Wattis is a joyously rumbustious Mrs Corry. Wendy Ferguson, as George Banks’ terrifying old nanny, is delightfully villainous and soaringly over the top.

Connie Jones and Oliver Manning as Jane and Michael are excellent. They have a lot to do in the show, and they pull it off with the panache of stage veterans.

A top-notch orchestra under the direction of Isaac McCullough gave the big Broadway sound that lifts the musical numbers up another level, and lighting and sound design, by Tom Howard and Simon France respectively, are flawless.

This is altogether a delightful, dazzling, heartwarming, surprising, and ultimately joyous evening’s entertainment. Yes, I’ll say it – Practically perfect, in every way! (Forgive my lack of invention, but it’s true.)

Review: Jonathan Cash

Photos: Danny Kaan

🎟️ Tickets

Dates: Wednesday 1 October – Saturday 25 October 2025

Venue: Sunderland Empire Theatre

#ad

Tickets: Available now at ATGTickets.com/Sunderland *

* (Transaction fee of £3.95 applies to online bookings)