The new tour of the Disney musical will open at the Bristol Hippodrome from 4 November 2024, returning to where it originally began and marking the 20th anniversary since the musical’s world premiere.
Cameron Mackintosh and Disney Theatrical Group have today announced complete casting for the upcoming new UK & Ireland tour of Mary Poppins.
Joining the previously announced Stefanie Jones as Mary Poppins and Jack Chambers as Bert, who played the roles in Australia are: Michael D. Xavier (Olivier nominee for Into the Woods and Love Story, Sunset Boulevard on Broadway) as George Banks, Lucie-Mae Sumner (West End production of Mary Poppins and Barnum at Menier Chocolate Factory) as Winifred Banks, Rosemary Ashe (original casts of the West End productions of The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins and Olivier nominee for The Witches of Eastwick) as Mrs Brill, Patti Boulaye (West End and recording star, Carmen Jones at the Old Vic) as Bird Woman, Wendy Ferguson (West End productions of Mary Poppins, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall) as Miss Andrew, Sonia Swaby (West End productions of Oliver!, Miss Saigon and Cats) as Mrs Corry and Miss Smythe, Ruairidh McDonald (Matilda, West End) as Roberston Ay and David Burrows (West End productions of Half a Sixpence, My Fair Lady and Oliver!) as Admiral Boom and Bank Chairman.
Meanwhile, the company is also set to include: Olivia Ainsworth, Olaya Martinez Cambon, Matilda O’Sullivan, Katie Ryden and Florence Amelia Swann will alternate the role of Jane Banks with Charlie Donald, Jude Martin-Thomas, Oscar McCulloch, Joshua Miles and William Stafford alternating the role of Michael Banks.
The casting is completed by Jay Luca Allan, Marianne Bardgett, Rhys Batten, Lydia Boulton, Ben Culleton, Jasmine Davis, Matthew Dawkins, Lily de-la-Haye, Nathan Elwick, Darcy Finden, Lyndsey Gardiner, Ryan Gover, Emma Harrold, Billy Mahoney, Sarah-Marie Maxwell, Yujin Park, Roan Pronk, Henry Rhodes, Jacob Ritzema, Scarlet Roche, Callum Rose, Charlie Waddell, Rachael Ward, Jemima-Jane Willcox, James Wolstenholme and Ellie Young.
Mary Poppins is based on the stories of P.L. Travers and The Walt Disney film, with a score including the original songs by the Sherman Brothers as well as new songs by the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Songs include: Jolly Holiday, Step in Time, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Feed the Birds.
The musical also features a book by Julian Fellowes, orchestrations by William David Brohn and dance and vocal arrangements by Stiles. Direction is by Richard Eyre, with co-direction and choreography by Matthew Bourne, co-choreography is by Stephen Mear, sound design by Paul Gatehouse, lighting design by Hugh Vanstone and scenic and costume design by Bob Crowley.
Talking about the casting, Cameron Mackintosh said today: “Our Australian Mary and Bert, Stefanie and Jack, were so practically perfect that we invited them to lead this brilliant new company which also includes such marvellous leading actors of the British theatre as Michael D. Xavier, Rosemary Ashe, Wendy Ferguson, Sonia Swaby and Patti Boulaye. Mary Poppins remains a timeless classic for all ages, full of wonderful characters, brilliant songs, showstopping dances and spectacular magic. So, you are assured of an unforgettable performance and the jolliest of holidays with Mary. But step in time to get tickets, as Mary has a lot of places to visit and her bag is packed!.”
To find out more about the tour visit: https://marypoppins.co.uk/