Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

If you say the words ‘Julie Andrews’ to anyone in V’s family you will get instant breaking into song, undoubtedly one from either Mary Poppins or the Sound of Music. The DVD’s of both movies have been well worn out in every pod household within his family. And if you need any proof you have only to ask R, the youngest member of the family and our very adorable niece and she will gladly sing you a few bars of the song ‘Let’s go fly a kite’. Including, very clearly, with no stumbles or stutters, the line ‘Up through the atmosphere’, in very clear diction. She first sang it to me at age 3. And she has not a clue what ‘atmosphere’ is. That is how in love with Julie Andrews they are.

Armed with discounted mid-week tickets we took the in-laws to watch ‘Mary Poppins: the musical’ at the Prince Edwards Theatre in Soho. And for a weekday show beginning at 7.30 and expected to finish at 10.15, it was surprisingly full of children, almost 50% and all under the age of 8.

The show was spectacular and I would recommend it not only to visiting tourists but even adult Londoners, with not a moment of hesitation. The sets are truly spectacular and the singing/ acting super – the kids who played Jane and Michael especially. It closes in Jan 2008 and I suspect they will do a live televised audition on BBC for a new production of it in some future year like the hugely successful ones for the new ‘Sound of Music’ and ‘Joseph and his Technicolor Dream coat’.

The sets are intricate and fluid and with dramatic lighting perfectly depict the goings-on in the lives of the Banks household. The costumes and live orchestra add to the drama and much choreographed dancing, acrobatic flying across the stage and walking upside down with invisible-strings-suspending-Bert-from-falling-into-the-crowd contributed to the gasps and endless clapping. It was an excellent evening.

The best bit though was right at the end. When Mary Poppins is leaving because her work is done (an aside: ha ha blo**dy ha – is a women’s work ever done? – I love the fantasy land of musicals where everything is curable and done). Anyway, she says goodbye to Bert and then she kisses him, on the lips, a big old full on smackeroo. Just then, in the silence of the theatre, from just across the aisle from us, the voice of a child, “Eeeeeeewwwwwwww”.

From the mouths of babes eh!

Mary Poppins: Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton Street, London W1D 4HS. Tel: 08708509191