HOW do you solve a problem like Mary Poppins (spoilers)- Page 2

[Piazzaslight]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 7:42am

I loved this show in London. What I reallly liked about it was that it wasn't a carbon copy of the movie. It turned to the original source material (The original books) an pulled off it's own creation. Now, I'm scared that they will butcher the show and cut out all the dark aspects and refill them with sugar, icing, candy, cake, etc. I just hope they don't cut out too much.

[tophertilson]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 8:11am

Having grown up with the books, I was looking forward to seeing a musical more true to them than to the movie. Unfortunately, it turns out that the books don't make for a good musical. IMO, anyway. There is no central character. There is no central conflict. It played like a series of skits for me.

I was thankful, however, that it was trying to do something new and interesting with the existing songs and not just replicating the movie. In this way, it's more in the calibre of LION KING than such woeful enterprises as BatB and TARZAN. I just wish it was better.

I fear that if Disney does indeed make it more like the movie (which is the rumor) they will remove the one thing that is interesting about it.

TT

P.S. - Oh and Gavin Lee should go down a treat on these shores. He's just great.

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 9:01am

I think that the central conflict is supposed to be within the character of the father and his relationship with his family - flattening his wife's views and dreams, whilst completely neglecting his responsibilities as a father. Unfortunatly, this does rather mean that Mary Poppins is shifted more to the sidelines than she was in the film, and as you say, her parts appear more as sketches set around the main story.

I really enjoyed the show and have seen it a few times; however, the only part I'm really not fond of is Jolly Holiday - I saw it before it opened in London and thought that that would one sure-fire change, but it's still just drab.

[Anastasia_Beaverhausen]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 10:36am

Unfortunately, I have have to add my name to the list of folks who were disappointed in this show. I saw it a couple weeks ago and although I went there knowing it wasn't going to be like the movie, and had an open mind, I was disappointed. The new material just isn't that good. I understand why they didn't just want to do the movie, but I think that's exactly what they should have done. There is nothing better, however, than having Mary Poppins fly over your head in the finale though. :)

[west end artist1]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 10:56am

hey there my sexy american freinds

mary poppins is a good and bad show all squashed in to one so i agree with all of you

The show is playing not to far from where our show is on in london and after work when we go for a drink (or 7)audience members who have been to see it are divided.

i saw it about 5 months ago and was impressed with its stageing some of the effects are great.The lighting is also great in this show and i thought the cast did a great job.Some of the new songs dont stand up as well but are nice enough but the choreography is awfull(though quite liked it in steppin time).
As for it feeling like a more expensive panto well i guess thats kind of true in places but for some reasson the uk keeps doing this (chitty yuk)and i think mary poppins will suffer the same fate as chitty in new york.

[leefowler]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 10:57am

Spoiler alert, sort of.....

I think Mary Poppins will be a bit of a problem for people who grew up loving the movie. A lot of the context of the songs is changed, almost in a perverse fashion. For example, In the first scene in the children's nursery, Spoonful Of Sugar isn't sung, but a new song is substituted. Spoonful Of Sugar is sung later, in the kitchen, with some characters not in the movie. If you grew up on the books, this might not be a problem, but as one who grew up on the movie, it often seemed downright peculiar.

As I've been telling my friends, it's like seeing a production of Wizard Of Oz where the Cowardly Lion sings Over The Rainbow.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 11:19am

As I've been telling my friends, it's like seeing a production of Wizard Of Oz where the Cowardly Lion sings Over The Rainbow.

mmmmaybe like a production of WIZARD OF OZ with a blonde Dorothy....

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 12:18pm

"In the first scene in the children's nursery, Spoonful Of Sugar isn't sung, but a new song is substituted. Spoonful Of Sugar is sung later, in the kitchen, with some characters not in the movie. If you grew up on the books, this might not be a problem, but as one who grew up on the movie, it often seemed downright peculiar. "

Just to let everyone know, Practically Perfect was not a newly added song but one that was taken out before filming began. It was meant to be in the film but taken out. I adore the show and think that its a great addition to anyone who is a fan of the movie. I am curious to see how Ashley will do but loved Gavin's performance. I hope to expect a tony nomination for his role.

I also want to add that it follows the books more closely which is nice for the author and fans of the characters in general. Its a wonderful production and I get teary eyed just lisenting to the score!

Updated On: 5/30/06 at 12:18 PM

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 12:27pm

The version of 'Practically Perfect' heard in the musical was written in 1993 by Stiles and Drewe. For the film, the Sherman brothers wrote a song called 'Practically Perfect', but it was cut and the song was used in the film with new lyrics - Sister Sufragette.

Mary P x

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 12:47pm

Thanks for the info! I forgot that PP was to the tune of Sister...

[loudasthehelliwant]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 12:50pm

Allofmy life- I'm not just basing my opinion on one review. I never had any desire to see this show. If this poster had said that they absolutely adored it beyond belief, my reaction would have been "Meh, maybe it won't be so bad. Still, I wish I didn't have to see it." I'm just not interested in seeing Mary Poppins the musical, in any circumstances, but ESPECIALLY when we could be seeing something else in London, England. I mean, c'mon, we could be seeing Sunday In the Park with George, and we're seeing Mary Poppins?

But I will try make the best of it. It can't be as bad as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? (I'm sorry, when I was eight I could not find it in my heart to like that show...)

[WhenURScrap]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 1:59pm

I can't wait to see the Broadway version of Mary Poppins. When I went to Border's I saw that the London recording CD was there and I stood there listening to it and LOVED the music. Granted, I was disapointd that certain songs were cut and they added a couple terrible songs. Though, a lot of it I can't wait to see.

For anyone who has seen the London version, what is it with "Temper, Temper"? I don't know if I get that one. And Mrs. Andrews? Explain this to me!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 2:28pm

Miss Andrews is a character from the original books.
She was Mr Banks' nanny when he was growing up; to him, she is the ideal nanny, though everyone else is terrified of her (with good reason!)
Updated On: 5/30/06 at 02:28 PM

[joe5]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 3:42pm

She is actually Perfect in many ways. Leave her alone, bashing her before she hits the shores.................

[mrkringas]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 3:48pm

Noah Who??????!

Gavin Lee is no second rate chorus boy. Been around for years covering leads and taking over in shows such as Crazy for You. Also in the NT production of Oklahoma with Hugh Jacman and in the original london cast of Sondheim's Saturday Night.

Shame you didnt take to it. Each to their own but I thought that comment was particularly uncalled for and out of nowhere. Gavin and David Haig and Jenny Galloway were the best things about the original cast.

Right and Temper, Temper is a number that happens after the kids are sent to their nursery for being bad. A really creepy dolls hand extends out of the doll's house and a full sized Jack in the Box is revealed. All the toys then come to life and put the kids on trial for neglect to one in particular (a female Doll that I think has its arm removed from neglect). The toy soldiers turn their rifles on them as they all sing "GUILTY" on this really cool chord. Then they wake up and have been taught a valuable lesson.

People say its scary. I say read children some Grims Fairy Tales. Also kids (especially the bratty ones that I encounter on public transport! and the lovely characiture that exists of american kids from your tv anf films) could really do with being scared into crying. They may just learn the same lesson that Michael and Jane do!


Miss Andrew is the evil nanny and very Victorian in her views. She has dueting aria with Mary as they both use their powers against the other. One High C later and Mary wins the day.

[jv92]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 4:05pm

Is it Carousel or South Pacific? No. But it's entertaining, moving and probably the best we'll get from Disney. I loved it and the songwriting team of Stiles and Drewe, as I've said many times before, are destined to become the next Rodgers and Hammerstein if this show succeeds.

[kec]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 5:02pm

"And the import of Gavin Lee baffles me. He's nothing but a 2nd rate chorus boy who landed a larger part. I can only imagine someone like Noah Racey in the role as he has much more ability , talent and charm."

I disagree completely with the review and especially with this comment. I thought Gavin Lee was excellent as Bert, and saw nothing "second rate" about his performance. And who is Noah Racey?

As for the rest of the show -- I absolutely loved it. The film is a great favorite of mine. As the first movie, and musical, I ever saw, it holds a special place in my heart. However, I did not go to the show in London expecting to see a carbon copy of the film. The show did not disappoint me at all and certainly did not drag for me.

Gypsy -- I, too, get a bit misty at points in the score, particularly with "Feed the Birds."

[mrkringas]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 7:23pm

Glad I am not the only one who gets misty with Feed the Birds!

Its the verse that starts "All around the Cathedral the saints and apostles.." that seems to do it for me