Zizi Strallen and Matt Lee to Star in New U.K Tour of Mary Poppins | Playbill

News Zizi Strallen and Matt Lee to Star in New U.K Tour of Mary Poppins The new U.K. touring production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins, based on the film of the same name, is to star Zizi Strallen in the title role with Matt Lee as Bert. As previously announced, it will begin performances at Leicester's Curve Oct. 13 for a run through Oct. 24.

It will then visit Bristol, Dublin, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Southampton, Norwich, Plymouth and Newcastle, with further dates to be announced.

Zizi inherits a role that her older sister Scarlett has played in the West End and on Broadway. She is currently appearing as Lana in Matthew Bourne's touring production The Car Man. Zizi was most recently seen in the West End in Cats (at the London Palladium) and Merrily We Roll Along (Menier Chocolate Factory and Harold Pinter Theatre). Other West End credits include Rock of Ages, Dirty Dancing and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. She also previously appeared in Cinderella at Sadler's Wells.

Lee previously played the role of Bert in Mary Poppins when the show opened in Australia, for which he won the Helpmann Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Other theatre credits in Australia include Miss Saigon, The Witches of Eastwick, Rent, Grease and The Boy from Oz. He was also a permanent member of the judging panel for Australia's "So You Think You Can Dance."

In a press statement, producer Cameron Mackintosh commented, "It's hard to believe that it is already 11 years since Mary Poppins first landed on the London stage. My goodness……time flies even faster than our beloved Nanny! I’m delighted to be bringing her back to the U.K. and for the first time to Dublin, after spreading her magic around the world. Since we originally staged the production we have found even more magical ways to stage this timeless tale. I’m also thrilled to have cast yet another of the extraordinarily talented Strallen family in the role of Mary and pair her with one of the most brilliant Berts we have been fortunate to find worldwide. I know Zizi and Matt will be practically perfect in every way and a show-stopping tour de force."

The stage production is co-created by Mackintosh and has a book by Julian Fellowes. The score features the original film songs by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, with new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The producer for Disney Theatrical Productions is Thomas Schumacher. The creative team comprises director Richard Eyre, co-director and choreographer Matthew Bourne, co-choreographer Stephen Mear, set and costume designer Bob Crowley, lighting designer Natasha Katz, sound designer Paul Groothuis and orchestrator William David Brohn. The touring production is directed by Anthony Lyn and James Powell with original choreography adapted by Geoffrey Garratt. Musical supervision is by Stephen Brooker.

For full touring dates and to book tickets, visit marypoppins.co.uk

 
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