MARY POPPINS (West End) Review

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/23/06 at 8:12am

Seen LES MIS, NIGHT OF THE IGUANA and MARY POPPINS so far (LES MIS not really needing a review, IGUANA garnering praise but not really worthy of a review considering that it is very unlikely we'll see the production here in New York, but MARY POPPINS earning praise and a review).

Look out Broadway - another blockbuster is on its way! MARY POPPINS is byfar one of the greatest evenings I've spent in a theater. Bourne's stunning choreography will leave your jaws dropped. The gorgeous scenery is sure to only improve on its' leap across the pond (if that's possible, considering how incredible it already is - YES, it surpasses the incredible scenery a few years back in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE).

The costumes are stunning, stunning, stunning, stunning and - oh, wait, did I say stunning? There's Mary's good old famous costume along with some other great dresses for the female cast. The Chatterbox lady who created conversation (who's character name is escaping me at the moment, and sitting in an internet cafe, I don't have the program with me to check) is giving a hilarious, inventive costume and each time she bends over, you can see that she is meant to resemble a turkey. And so are her employees at the candy shoppe she owns. The men and chimney sweeps costumes, while simple, are fitting and well-done.

Its current cast - Scarlett as Mary and Gavin Lee as Bert - are wonders. Scarlett's take, IMHO, is much different than Julie Andrew's and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't enjoy it more, because I most certainly did. And while no one can ever hold a candle to our adored Dick Van Dyke, Lee does an incredible job tackling the huge shoes to fill. (The highlight of the evening being his tap dance solo in which he hangs upside down and taps on the ceiling - smiling like there's not a care in the world the entire time).

The new songs, especially "Practically Perfect" are all rousing and fun. The Banks' family numbers, especially the ballads, are beautiful and really help us to see these characters moreso than we did in the film.

One cause for concern, though, is the number "Temper, Temper" in which the children are punished by their toys that Mary has brought to life, soldiers aiming their guns at them, dolls roping them up, etc. etc. I can only imagine how frightening this number is for children and, while it serves a point and parents will relish in seeing it, I'm sure, I can't help but think it might be a bit too scary. (The little girl in the row in front of me was screaming and crying quite a bit during it and, even though I'm 19, I can most definately see why. Had I been her age, I'm sure I would've been just as scared.) I find the number to be, in the end, unnecessary and wouldn't mind seeing it cut before reaching the Great White Way.

Byfar, the most wonderful part of the evening, is Bourne's choreography and I look forward to seeing all of your fabulous reviews of that once it reaches Broadway.

I'll probably post my BILLY ELLIOT review when I get back to New York Saturday evening...

xoxo

[Plum]

Posted: 3/23/06 at 11:02am

Well, I'm glad you liked Scarlett. She seemed a little overextended in the role to me- too young and not imposing enough. The choreography really is fun, though, isn't it?
Updated On: 3/23/06 at 11:02 AM

[DryMartini]

Posted: 3/23/06 at 12:35pm

I saw it back in the Fall and enjoyed it for the most part. I do agree the "Temper Temper" scene is somewhat frightening for young children. I actually found the overall set to be somewhat dark and the scene in the park where the statues come to life is also kind of frightening. I think they need to cheer it up a bit for the audience on this side of the pond.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 3/23/06 at 1:12pm

Life is frightening for everyone including young children. If kids can handle Grims fairy tales and most of the Disney animated cannon they can certainly cope with Temper, Temper. Also with the amount of violence in American life and your tv shows it seems a bit hypocritical to call for its removal for Broadway.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 3/23/06 at 1:35pm

Cheer it up?

*hangs head in shame*

That the sort of attitude that made Disney think twice about bringing Der Glockner to Broadway. Even though the film version is quite twisted in some parts.

Look at Chitty... total mess, total saccharine, total flop!

Bring Mary Poppins over intact.. I cant see Richard Eyre compromising his artistic integrity or Cameron Mac allowing it.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/23/06 at 1:42pm

Why do people always want things "cheered up?" The darker, the better.

Did you mean to say it's the best set you've seen since MILLIE? I thought the MILLIE set was atrocious and tacky...

[Josh Freilich]

Posted: 3/23/06 at 5:47pm

The most creepiest part of "Temper Temper" is at the end, where the judge goes "What is your verdict?"

And then the entire chorus immediately blurts out (with help from scary pipe organ) "GUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

That's a scary part in the chorus with the really high sopranos (D6). That's the one part in the song that freaks me out, especially the synths at the beginning as the room parts and the toys come to life.

[missy2]

Posted: 3/23/06 at 8:32pm

I saw it in London too and I must say I was totally disappointed. I have seen almost every musical over the last ten years and this was just dull - no life to it whatsoever.
Oh well...

[mrkringas]

Posted: 3/23/06 at 9:05pm

Oh I forgot about the "Guilty" chord! It was incredibly hair raising whenever I have seen it. That and during "Feed the Birds" when the bit about "all around the Cathedral" is sung....something about it made me cry with emotion

[jv92]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 9:18pm

I found really no faults with the show, except for the mauling of "Feed the Birds." It's so damned over amplified and needs no large chorus (and no bird woman), just one person singing the song softly and beautifully.

[kec]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 2:11am

"...during "Feed the Birds" when the bit about "all around the Cathedral" is sung....something about it made me cry with emotion"

I have to say hearing the song on the stage made me a bit emotional as well. I think it was tears of nostalgia, since the film had such an influence on my life -- it was the very first film I ever saw, and I believe that film is why I love musicals so much.

As for "cheering it up" for Broadway -- please, NO!!! The show is fine as it is. I don't understand this mind set that shows from the West End have to be changed or "brightened up" for Broadway. With all the violence in films and on TV these days, a few toys coming to life and judging the children who own them (who really are brats in the beginning of the show), is nothing.

[AngusN]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 5:11am

"Feed the Birds." It's so damned over amplified and needs no large chorus (and no bird woman)"

WHAT? It is primarily her song, that is concerned with her situation. How can you not have the bird woman involved in 'Feed the Birds'?

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 5:29am

I think I like the stage version more than the film after seeing the show 3 times with the original cast. Anyway, I think 'Temper Temper' is not really that scary. But if it is, Cam Mac have already said children below the age of... 7? are not suppose to go and see the show. So i think its fine.
I have to say, the choreography is just AMAZING! I mean, the combination of both incredible choreographers is just SO fun to watch!
I really hope they wont make the stage show more like the film on Broadway as the stage show is based on the book NOT the film! And I hate to say, but I am already hating the new poster!

[tophertilson]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 7:00am

I didn't think "Temper Temper" was too scary. I did, however, think it was a bad song. Bad melody, bad lyrics. Decent enough idea, I suppose.

And those statues!? Oh my God, were they horrible. What was that all about? Tacky and ridiculous.

Personally, I found the whole show to be an expensive three hour nap. It's better than CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, granted. But at least that show had Marc Kudish and Jan Maxwell to liven up things in the second act.

TT

P.S. - I didn't see Scarlett, but Gavin Lee was just tremendous. They're going to be hard pressed to find someone as good over here. Here's hoping the rumors about Gavin Creel are just that.

[jv92]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 9:43am

AngusN-
You can certainly show the bird woman, but I prefer the way it was done in the film.

[kec]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 4:19pm

"And those statues!? Oh my God, were they horrible. What was that all about? Tacky and ridiculous. "

Would you have preferred dancing penguins?

I didn't think the statues were that bad. I do think it would have been more difficult to try and recreate that song (Jolly Holiday) as it had been done on film.