For those going to the Edinburgh Playhouse expecting to see a show closely resembling the Disney Movie version of “Mary Poppins” you may, as many, be sadly disappointed. If however you are looking forward to a show which utilises many of the favourite musical numbers, displays the talents of an excellent cast plus some theatrical magic which is out of this world, you are in for a treat.

The basic story line is directly from the film but without cinematic tricks many of the scenes would have been virtually impossible. There are also eight new songs to help illustrate these changes. Mary Poppins would not be the same without ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee’, ‘Jolly Holliday’, ‘A Spoonful Of Sugar’ and ‘Feed The Birds’ not to mention the two songs, which the stage show has developed into a couple of the best ensemble routines I have seen in some time, ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’, not even easy to type let alone sing, dance and spell at the same time, and ‘Step In Time’ with the sweeps on the rooftops.

The whole cast are totally amazing with a myriad of costume and set changes for everyone to work round. Special mention must be made of those playing Jane and Michael Banks, the two children whose search for a nice nanny precedes the arrival of the ‘Practically Perfect’ Miss Poppins, there are a total of 12 children rehearsed ages ranging from 8 to 13 years old. On the day I saw the production it was 8-year-old William Pearce and 11-year-old Isabella Sedgwick who charmed and amazed us.

Lisa O’Hare as Mary and Daniel Crossley as Bert, the two main characters seem totally tireless and it falls to these two to prove that sweeps can dance up walls and on the ceiling and also that Mary Poppins can really fly. Yes she flies right off stage over the packed audience right up to the top balcony and away.

Those who have never seen the film or youngsters who have totally open minds obviously enjoy the show for the spectacle it is. Those of us who are amongst the fans of the film are the ones who are most liable to make unfavourable comparisons. I honestly wish those who were in the slightest disappointed by what they saw could have been persuaded to see the production for what it is. An amazing show with a superbly talented cast spreading magic where ever it goes.

www.marypoppinsthemusical.co.uk