Mary Poppins Major cast changes from 6 Nov 2006

Mary Poppins Major cast changes from 6 Nov 2006

There are major cast changes in Mary Poppins, at Prince Edward Theatre from 6 Nov 2006.

Joining the cast are: Lisa O'Hare (Mary Poppins), Rebecca Thornhill (Winifred Banks), Zee Asha (Mrs Brill), Romy Baskerville (Birdwoman).

Howard Jones takes over the role of 'Robertson Ay'

American star Gavin Creel will continue to play 'Bert', with Aden Gillett as 'George Banks', Louise Gold as 'Miss Andrew' and Ray C Davis as 'Park Keeper'.

Lisa O'Hare's theatre work includes "Acorn Antiques", "Anything Goes" and starring as 'Eliza Doolittle' in the UK national tour of "My Fair Lady". She was in the original cast of "MARY POPPINS", when she covered and performed the title role on several occasions.

Rebecca Thornhill stage credits include "Singin' in the Rain", "Chicago", "The Witches of Eastwick", "Les Misérables" and "Disney's Beauty and the Beast". Zee Asha starred as 'Mama Morton' in the West End production of "Chicago" and has been seen in the UK national tours of "Blood Brothers" and "Disney's Beauty and the Beast". Romy Baskerville has worked extensively in theatre throughout the country and was in "Naked" at the Almeida Theatre and "The Tempest" and "Bingo" at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Howard Jones, who is currently playing 'Northbrook' and understudying 'Bert' in "MARY POPPINS", made his West End debut in "Chicago" and has subsequently appeared in Germany in "Tranz der Vampire".

Mary Poppins, opened at the Prince Edward Theatre on 15 Dec 2004, following previews from 6 Dec, to good notices from the popular press: THE EVENING STANDARD says, A sharp, thoughtful stage musical." THE INDEPENDENT says, "With its magic and chutzpah, it simply blows away the opposition from rival West End musicals, emerging as the year's most joyous, spectacular and heart-tugging show in that genre." THE TIMES says, "Marvellously fresh adaptation" THE DAILY EXPRESS says, "What Mackintosh and his director, Richard Eyre, have done is to restore the human dimension." THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "The stage version of Mary Poppins is heaps better than the movie - funnier, sharper, more inventive and with a far greater variety of mood."

Based on the stories by P.L. Travers and the 1964 Walt Disney film, the show is produced by Thomas Schumacher for Disney Theatrical Productions, and Cameron Mackintosh. It is directed by Richard Eyre, co-direction and choreography by Matthew Bourne, with additional choreography by Stephen Mear. Bob Crowley will design the sets and costumes. Lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound by Andrew Bruce, and orchestrations by William David Brohn.

Mary Poppins, include many of the original songs from the film with music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman. Including "Chim Chim Cher-ee", A Spoonful of Sugar", "Feed The Birds" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious".

The new stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, Julian Fellowes who has written the book, and George Stiles and Anthony Drewe who have written the new songs and additional music and lyrics.

Mary Poppins tickets are avaialble to 28 July 2007