Mary Poppins London's first preview night review.

Twenty-five years ago, Cameron Mackintosh (producer and co-creator of Mary Poppins) tried, without success, to acquire the rights to produce Mary Poppins as a musical. Anyone in their right minds would have given up the idea after this much time. That is why we British theatre goers should thank people like Mackintosh as it is because of their persistence that the theatre has begun to flourish once again.

After my first night viewing, I can easily say that Mary Poppins is just super, so much so it is well worth a full price ticket even in previews. There was not a single 'hic-up'.

Author P.L. Travers should be thrilled on many levels, most certainly because this production is loyal to its original story. Disney's Theatrical Division head Peter Schneider should also be equally pleased because the show follows Disney's motto of being 'creative and stylish'....it indeed should make them proud. This is a production which could easily play anywhere in the world with tremendous success.

Along with the marvelous original score by Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman, some amazing new songs have been added by George Stiles and Anthony Drews.

The show is under the great direction of Richard Eyre and co-directed by Matthew Bourne, who also did the choreography. Bourne's choreography in My Fair Lady didn't do anything for me because of its limitations, but this time Mary Poppins has given Bourne and Stephen Mear (co-choreographer) the chance to show off what they can really do. The "Chim chim cher-ee" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" numbers are show stoppers.

Fantastic scene design (especially the bank scenery) and costume design are by Bob Crowley. Nothing is new these days because we are so spoiled as an audience. But Crowley was able to put just the right effect in just the right places without over-kill; the birds at St Paul Cathedral or the items coming out of Mary Poppins bags. Crowley's costume design was also very creative - especially Mrs. Corwly's orange dress. Everything Crowly designed was to absolute perfection.

I imagine Howard Harrison (Light Design) had a great time with those lighting effects. It's been years since I've seen such a creative use of lights, but then again if you have a song like 'A Man Has Dreams', you can really go for it.

As for Laura Michelle Kelly, her voice has matured over the years and she is absolutely perfect as Mary Poppins. The talented Gavin Lee as Bert is our West End Fred Astaire ( you will know what I mean when you see the show ). David Haig is the lovable Mr Banks. Linzi Hateley is wonderful as Mrs Banks and although she didn't get to sing the Mrs Bank's song from the film version of Mary Poppins, she has got some great numbers including one titled 'Being Mrs Banks'. Rosemary Ash as Ms Andrews wasn't in the show for too long but in those few scenes she definitely stopped the show. And Jenny Galloway as Mrs Brill doesn't even have to sing given the number of laughs as she got. Lastly, Julia Sutton as Bird Woman added the right touch to the song 'Feed the Birds'. Not to be forgotten, the Banks children. I didn't bring my binoculars, but it looked like Jane Fletcher as Jane Pery and Millward as Michael ( my apologies if I am wrong ). In any case they were very professional and was truly the whole supporting cast.

There were so many pleasant surprises in this musical, like the choreography of 'Jolly Holiday'; so many things unexpected; so many things to make this production just 'Practically Perfect'!