Mary Poppins is at Milton Keynes Theatre This Month - Review

The world’s favourite nanny flies into Milton Keynes Theatre for four magical weeks, with performances running from Wed 29 Oct - Sat 22 Nov.

Cameron Mackintosh and Disney Theatrical Group’s spectacular production of the classic multi-award-winning musical Mary Poppins is flying into Milton Keynes from 29th October 2025 for four weeks only.

Since its premiere at the Bristol Hippodrome in 2004, the stage adaptation of Mary Poppins has gone on to record-breaking productions around the world, gaining over 50 major international awards, including two Olivier Awards and one Tony Award. Over 15 million people have witnessed the magic worldwide, with the production having been translated into 13 languages.

Leading the company are Australian stars Stefanie Jones (the Australian National Tour of Muriel’s Wedding The Musical) and Jack Chambers (winner of So You Think You Can Dance Australia), who reprise their roles as Mary Poppins and Bert, having previously starred in the Australian production. The pair opened this UK and Ireland tour in Bristol last year, to critical and audience acclaim. Patti Boulaye (Hair, Shaftesbury Theatre; Two Gentlemen of Verona, Phoenix Theatre) will play the role of Bird Woman until Sun 16 Nov, and from Tue 18 Nov onwards, international recording artist and actress Lyn Paul will take over the role.

Hear the Interview with Michael D Xaiver who plays George Banks

Simon Tuck saw this Friday 31st Oct 2025

✨ Practically Perfect: A Sparkling Review of Mary Poppins

There are shows that claim to be worth watching; they may even say they are "Practically Perfect." This production of Mary Poppins is all of those things and more.

From start to finish, the experience unfolds like a magnificent painting. The picture is meticulously laid out and filled in with thrilling splashes of colour and magic, culminating in a fully deserved standing ovation. I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it!

🎶 The Joy of the Music and Choreography

The sheer joy is evident in the dynamic expansion of the songs you know:

"Spoonful of Sugar" offers a clever nod to the film, complete with a Rum Punch reference.

"Step in Time" features a breathtaking routine that will leave you asking, "Is he really still tap dancing and singing?"

"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" delivers a thrilling reprise, encouraging the audience to get involved—a moment of pure collective enjoyment.

🏠 A World of Seamless Magic

The scenery takes on a life of its own. We are completely transported to 17 Cherry Tree Lane, the cook's kitchen, up to the bedrooms, across the rooftops, and into the bank. Nothing is missed.

The changes from film to musical are noticeable but easily forgotten, thanks to the bright, seamless explosions of scenery change, especially in the park sequence. The stagecraft is truly masterful: watch as characters appear and vanish within the sheer magic of the moving sets.

🎭 Superb Performances Anchor the Story

The cast is uniformly excellent:

Stefanie Jones as Mary Poppins embodies the necessary temperament, style, and wit, bringing the iconic magic alive. (Seriously, how did she fit ALL of that in her bag?)

Jack Chambers as Bert not only leads the story but possesses all the wit and charm of Dick Van Dyke, making the role his own.

Michael D. Xavier and Lucie-Mae Sumner are wonderful as Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Xavier brings a John Cleese-type of comic anguish to George, which lands some fantastic, memorable comedy moments.

The children truly make this show. There are several sets of young actors, and all of them entertain beautifully with sharp comic timing and energy.

This is a thoroughly entertaining show that will honestly leave you saying "wow." I don't normally like hearing others sing during a show, but to hear the voices of small children in the audience singing along was a moment of complete, utter joy.

Whether you sit in the stalls or up in the gods, you are guaranteed the best of everything. Get ready to clap, cheer, and be overwhelmed by the sheer joy and magic this show has to offer. Anything Can Happen, and I promise you, it does, and much, much more.

The cast is also led by Michael D. Xavier (Olivier nominee for Into the Woods and Love Story) as George Banks, Lucie-Mae Sumner (West End production of Mary Poppins) as Winifred Banks, Rosemary Ashe (Olivier nominee for The Witches of Eastwick) as Mrs Brill, Wendy Ferguson (Les Misérables, West End) as Miss Andrew, Sharon Wattis (Book of Mormon, West End) as Mrs Corry, 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.

Olive Harrison, Connie Jones, Yvie Moore, Katie Ryden and Sienna Sibley currently alternate the role of Jane Banks with Oliver Benson, Charlie Donald, Oli Manning, Joshua Miles and Oliver Noble alternating the role of Michael Banks.

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MARY POPPINS. Patti Boulaye (Bird Woman). Photo Danny Kaan.

The company 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, Cameron Thomas Jones, Billy Mahoney, Sarah-Marie Maxwell, Roan Pronk, Henry Rhodes, Jacob Ritzema, Scarlet Roche, Callum Rose, Tyler Timmins, Charlie Waddell, Rachael Ward, Jemima-Jane Willcox, James Wolstenholme and Ellie Young.

Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, the story of the world’s favourite nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane is more magical than ever before, featuring dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs. The timeless score includes the classic Sherman Brothers songs: Jolly Holiday, Step in Time, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, and Feed the Birds.

MARY POPPINS has original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, with new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The book is by Julian Fellowes, and this production is co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. It has orchestrations by William David Brohn and dance and vocal arrangements by George Stiles. It has sound design by Paul Gatehouse, lighting design by Hugh Vanstone, projections by Luke Hall and illusions by Paul Kieve & Jim Steinmeyer. The set and costume designs are by Bob Crowley. Co-Choreography is by Stephen Mear. Co-direction and choreography are by Matthew Bourne , and direction is by Richard Eyre. The UK & Ireland Tour is directed by James Powell with choreography recreated by Richard Jones and musical supervision by Stephen Brooker.

Book your tickets now at ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes