Full Casting Revealed for UK and Ireland Tour of Mary Poppins
Cameron Mackintosh and Disney Theatrical have officially announced the complete cast for the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of the beloved musical Mary Poppins. Audiences can look forward to an extraordinary lineup when the show opens at Bristol Hippodrome on 4 November 2024.
Based on P.L. Travers’ iconic book series and the 1964 Disney film, Mary Poppins follows the magical adventures of a flying nanny who transforms the lives of the Banks family. The stage adaptation features original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, with new contributions from George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and a book by Julian Fellowes. The production is directed by Richard Eyre, with co-direction and choreography by Matthew Bourne, and co-choreography by Stephen Mear.
Headlining the tour is Australian actress Stefanie Jones, reprising her role as Mary Poppins after earning rave reviews in the recent Australian production. She will once again be joined by Jack Chambers as Bert, also from the Australian cast. Cameron Mackintosh praised their performances, calling them “practically perfect,” and inviting them to lead this UK and Ireland tour.
Joining Jones and Chambers are a host of renowned British theatre actors, including Michael D. Xavier (Into the Woods) as George Banks, Lucie-Mae Sumner (Barnum, Mary Poppins) as Winifred Banks, Rosemary Ashe (The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins) as Mrs Brill, Patti Boulaye (Carmen Jones) as Bird Woman, Wendy Ferguson (Les Misérables, Mary Poppins) as Miss Andrew, Sonia Swaby (Oliver!, Miss Saigon) as Mrs Corry and Miss Smythe, Ruairidh McDonald (Matilda the Musical) as Robertson Ay, and David Burrows (Half a Sixpence) as Admiral Boom and Bank Chairman.
The roles of Jane and Michael Banks will be alternated by young performers Olivia Ainsworth, Olaya Martinez Cambon, Matilda O’Sullivan, Katie Ryden, and Florence Amelia Swann as Jane, and Charlie Donald, Jude Martin-Thomas, Oscar McCulloch, Joshua Miles, and William Stafford as Michael.
The ensemble cast includes 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, Billy Mahoney, Sarah-Marie Maxwell, Yujin Park, Roan Pronk, Henry Rhodes, Jacob Ritzema, Scarlet Roche, Callum Rose, Charlie Waddell, Rachael Ward, Jemima-Jane Willcox, James Wolstenholme, and Ellie Young.
Mackintosh expressed his excitement about the cast, saying, “Our Australian Mary and Bert, Stefanie and Jack, were so practically perfect that we invited them to lead this brilliant new company. Mary Poppins remains a timeless classic for all ages, filled with wonderful characters, brilliant songs, showstopping dances, and spectacular magic.”
The tour will travel to Dublin (11 December 2024), Edinburgh (22 January 2025), Plymouth (26 February 2025), and Manchester (9 April 2025). Additional dates include Birmingham Hippodrome (16 July – 23 August 2025), Mayflower Theatre in Southampton (27 August – 20 September 2025), Sunderland Empire (1 – 25 October 2025), and Milton Keynes Theatre (29 October – 22 November 2025). Casting for the latter dates will be confirmed in due course.
With a stellar cast and a beloved story, this tour promises to deliver an unforgettable experience. Fans are encouraged to book their tickets soon, as Mary Poppins and her magical umbrella will only be in town for a limited time!
