Mary Poppins

Palace Theatre, Manchester

Until March 5

AS the Mary Poppins saying goes, ‘practically perfect in every way’ — and what better way to sum up this musical.

With Disney, you know you’re never going to go too far wrong thanks to its no expense spared set, dazzling costumes and spot on choreography.

But this is feel-good at its best. I remember enjoying the Mary Poppins film as a youngster and it seems the story still holds as much magic for this generation.

Mary Poppins is no-nonsense yet poised, self-assured yet delightful; I think I want to be her (apart from the bit where you have to look after other people’s children).

Zizi Strallen, in the role made famous by Julie Andrews in the 1964 film version, does not put a foot wrong as the magical woman who descends from the clouds in response to the Banks children's advertisement for a nanny.

The musical version has added extras without losing the charm of the original. We get more of an insight into what makes their father George Banks, played by Milo Twomey, tick and we meet his nanny of days gone by, Miss Andrew.

The two children in the show — Lucy Simmons and Lewis Fernee as Jane and Michael Banks — are an absolute delight. Surely there are very bright futures ahead for the two talented youngsters.

Highlights throughout the show include the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Step in Time numbers and all the other favourites are in there — A Spoonful of Sugar, Feed the Birds and Chim Chim Cher-ee.

Catch Mary Poppins at Manchester’s Palace Theatre before she flies out for good on March 5.