Synopsis: Based in London, the Banks household is in absolute shambles. Two mischievous children, one overwhelmed mother, and a father who thinks “quality time” is something you schedule between business meetings. After yet another nanny leaves in distress, the practically perfect Mary Poppins (Aurora) blows in and immediately takes charge. With the help of her cheerful, slightly chaotic friend Bert (Warner), Mary whisks Jane (Aiyla) and Michael (Silas) on magical adventures involving dancing statues, life lessons disguised as fun, and an outing on a rooftop. Along the way, the children learn how to behave (mostly), the adults learn how to feel things again, and the entire household discovers that maybe, just maybe, family matters more than being “proper.” Featuring catchy songs, a touch of magic, and enough chimney sweeps to make your stage manager nervous, Mary Poppins Jr. reminds us all that a spoonful of sugar helps…well, pretty much everything.

Stage & Set Design: I had the unique opportunity to attend the production during its “soft” opening, the final dress rehearsal, which meant the curtain was already open when I arrived. This gave me time to really take in the set design beforehand, so once the show started, I could focus on the performance instead of quietly judging furniture choices (which, for the record, were solid).

The first thing that stood out was the use of color. The pastel yellow walls created an immediate sense of warmth and nostalgia; like stepping into your grandmother’s house, where everything feels cozy and you’re 90% sure there are cookies somewhere nearby. This softness was nicely contrasted by the rich brickwork of the fireplace and back wall, which added depth and made both elements stand out without competing for attention.

One of the more clever design choices was the use of rotating wall units. The pastel yellow walls transformed smoothly into a soft blue nursery, clearly defining the children’s space while keeping the overall aesthetic cohesive. It was a simple but effective bit of stagecraft that kept scene changes moving without many awkward pauses or “ignore the crew moving this” moments.

While not every prop was perfectly locked into the time period, everything stayed close enough to maintain the feel of early 20th-century London. Nothing pulled you out of the story, which in theatre, is half the battle. Overall, the set struck a great balance between charm and functionality, supporting the show without ever trying to steal it.

The backdrop featured a beautifully hand-painted evening cityscape of London, instantly setting the tone and transporting the audience into the world of the show. Trixie Hollyhox once again showcased her artistic talent, bringing an entire city to life with what is, just a simple sheet of cloth. Through vibrant colors, thoughtful detail, and a strong sense of atmosphere, she created a visually striking piece that added depth and charm to the production. It’s always impressive to see how much impact a well-crafted backdrop can have, and this was a perfect.

Aurora (Mary Poppins):

A familiar face at the West End Theatre, Aurora stepped confidently into her debut as a title character, and absolutely delivered. She carried herself with a poised, almost effortless confidence, commanding attention every time she was on stage. Vocally, she was strong and consistent, hitting each note with clarity and control while making it all look far easier than it probably is (which, frankly, feels very on-brand for Mary Poppins).

Her performance balanced authority and warmth beautifully, capturing both the no-nonsense discipline and underlying charm that make the character so iconic. Whether leading a musical number or guiding a quieter moment, she remained fully in control of the stage, giving a performance that felt both polished and engaging.

Her first entrance, through the chimney, was a fun and fitting choice, though it nearly went unnoticed due to some staging and overlapping dialogue. And to be honest, if someone crawled out of my chimney, that would absolutely be the main event of my evening. The moment could have used a bit more space and reaction from the other characters to really land the impact it deserved.

That said, once she was fully established on stage, there was no missing her. Aurora’s performance anchored the show with confidence and charm, proving she was more than ready to take on a leading role.

Warner (Bert):

You can tell Warner genuinely loves being on stage just by the way he moves. There’s an ease and confidence to his physicality that makes his performance feel natural and engaging from the moment he steps out. As Bert, he brought a lightness and charm that felt true to the role, even carrying a hint of that classic Dick Van Dyke smile that makes the character so endearing. Vocally, he held his own with strong, clear delivery in his musical numbers. He never tried to overpower a scene, but he also never faded into the background, striking that perfect middle ground that makes Bert such an important part of the story.

Sometimes the highest compliment you can give a performer is that they make everything look easy—and that was very much the case here. Warner’s performance was smooth, consistent, and full of charm, making him an ideal counterpart to Mary and a reliable guide for the audience from beginning to end.

Aiyla (Jane Banks):

Coming into this performance on the heels of her standout turn in Miracle on 34th Street, Aiyla continues to impress and honestly, she might need her own mail truck at this point, because she consistently delivers.

What makes her especially remarkable is something you don’t often see so clearly in young performers: true stage awareness. She doesn’t just perform when the spotlight is on her; she’s fully present in every moment. Her reactions to the action around her and to other actors’ lines are thoughtful, genuine, and elevate every scene she’s in.

It’s a subtle skill, but an important one, and Aiyla has clearly developed it into a major strength. Time and time again, she proves that wherever she is placed in a production, the overall quality rises with her presence. She’s not just performing, she’s contributing to the entire world of the show, and that makes a noticeable difference.

Silas (Michael Banks):

Taking on the role of Michael Banks is a big job, and Silas stepped into it with a lot of heart and commitment. You could tell he was really trying to stay present in each moment, which is half the battle in a show like this.

There were times where some nerves seemed to sneak in, mostly showing up as a bit of fidgeting and a tendency to speed through lines like he had somewhere important to be after the scene. (Which, to be fair, if I were on stage as a kid, I’d probably also be trying to get through it before my brain remembered I was in front of people.)

With a little more confidence and by slowing things down, his lines will land even better and give the audience more time to enjoy what he’s doing. The good news is that those are things that come naturally with experience and he’s already well on his way just by being up there and doing it.

Overall, Silas did a solid job in a challenging role, and as he gets more comfortable on stage, you can expect to see him really settle in and shine.

Kylan (George Banks):

Kylan took on the role of George Banks with a strong, commanding presence that fit the character well. He leaned into the overbearing, work-focused father with confidence, using volume and authority to establish that classic “dad who needs to learn a lesson” energy. When he was fully locked in, he brought a solid intensity to the stage that helped drive the family dynamic.

There were moments, however, when he seemed a bit unsure of himself, and that occasionally affected his overall stage presence. At times, it felt like he wasn’t fully aware of how he was coming across in the space, whether in positioning, focus, or how his energy was being received by the audience.

That said, those are all very fixable things, and honestly, pretty common notes for performers stepping into bigger, more authoritative roles. With a bit more confidence and awareness of the stage around him, Kylan has all the tools to really own this kind of character. The foundation is strong, and when everything clicks, he absolutely has the presence to command the room in all the right ways.

Lora Jane (Winifred Banks):

Lora Jane felt like a natural fit for the role of Winifred Banks. She brought a gentle, caring presence to the stage, perfectly capturing a mother trying to balance supporting her husband while still being the emotional anchor her children need.

Her posture and presence gave her a quiet strength, and her soft, warm voice suited the character beautifully. She didn’t need to demand attention to be effective. She drew you in with sincerity and subtlety, which made her performance feel genuine and grounded.

In a show full of big personalities and magical moments, Lora Jane provided a steady, heartfelt center that helped keep the family dynamic believable and relatable.

Jase (Robertson Ay):

Jase took on the role of Robertson Ay with a strong and confident voice, which immediately stood out. His vocal delivery was clear and consistent, giving him a solid presence in each scene he was part of.

At times, he seemed a bit drawn to the audience; occasionally making eye contact, smiling, and even giving a small wave. While it’s great to see that level of comfort and enthusiasm on stage, those moments did pull a bit of focus away from the scene itself.

As he continues to grow as a performer, learning to keep that energy directed within the world of the show will make his performance even stronger. The confidence is absolutely there, and channeling it fully into the character will help everything feel more natural and connected. Overall, Jase brought great energy to the role, and with just a bit more focus, he has all the tools to really shine on stage.

Penny (Mrs. Brill):

Penny brought a confident and grounded presence to the role of Mrs. Brill. She showed a strong awareness of the stage, always seeming to know exactly where she needed to be and how to move within each scene.

At times, her sense of positioning and timing helped keep things on track, like the unofficial stage GPS of the production. You could tell she had a clear understanding of the flow of each scene, which helped everything feel more organized and intentional.

It’s not always the flashiest role, but Penny made it an important one. Every show needs someone who knows exactly what’s going on… and thankfully, this one had her.

Extra Notes:

This is another performance with a very large cast. So large they have 2 different groups doing the show. One this week and a whole new cast next week. This group, the Spoonful of Magic Cast, was a wonderful cast of kids who all worked well together. I may not be able to delve into every cast member but I do want to note some other things of importance.

- The effort these young performers put into their English accents was clear throughout the show. It’s no easy task to maintain a dialect while acting, singing, and remembering where you’re supposed to stand, but they handled it with impressive consistency. You could tell this was something they worked hard on, and it added nicely to the overall feel of the production. And while the accents were a success on stage, I have a feeling their families might be just as excited for closing night, if only to have their kids start talking normally again.

-Azura (John Northbrook) really could have benefitted from a mic in the bank scene. His light voice made it hard to hear what he was saying and I was in the second row. He played his part very well but the scene gets lost when the audience cant hear.

- The statues were a highlight of the show for me. The entire ensemble brought a sense of whimsy and magic that felt like stepping straight into a scene from Alice in Wonderland. Their commitment to stillness was impressive! They held their poses with precision, making the moments when they suddenly sprang to life even more entertaining. It created a playful energy that added a lot of charm to the production.

- Talia brought a truly beautiful voice to the role of the Bird Woman. Her tone was clear and expressive, and you could immediately tell she has strong vocal ability. During her solo moments, she seemed a bit hesitant, holding back when it was her time to really shine. And honestly, Talia, belt those notes out. You absolutely have the voice for it. The strength is there; it just needs to be trusted. As soon as Mary Poppins and the children joined in, her confidence noticeably grew, and you could hear her volume and presence increased. It was a great glimpse of what she’s fully capable of. With just a little more confidence and willingness to let go in those solo moments, Talia has all the tools to turn a good performance into a standout one. The voice is already there, now it’s just about owning it.

-During the song Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, the smaller cast members, many who also played the Honeybees, held up letters to spell the word out. The timing being off and the expressions on their faces made it one of my favorite parts of the play. They were so cute and made you want to look at them. You can’t help but smile and laugh.

- Juju as Miss Andrew…wow, that voice. This girl can belt. The moment she starts singing, she immediately becomes the focus of the stage. Her power and control were undeniable, and she brought a commanding presence to the role that made every moment she was in feel important. Vocally, she delivered with confidence, hitting notes that carried effortlessly and demanded attention in the best way. And then, when Aurora joined her and the two sang together, it was beautiful. Their voices blended incredibly well, creating one of the standout musical moments of the entire show. A true highlight, and a performance that’s hard to forget.

-The kite prop was so good. They were able to make it look as if it was drifting in the wind by placing it on a wobbly stick. It was a wonderful piece of stage magic that brought so much to the scene for such a small prop.

- The chimney sweeper number was one of the most entertaining moments of the show. The choreography was sharp, energetic, and clearly well-rehearsed. You could tell this was a scene the cast put a lot of time into, and it paid off. Each performer committed fully, creating a fun, lively sequence that kept the audience engaged from start to finish. It’s not always easy to get a large group moving in sync, but this group delivered. The lighting during this scene worked beautifully with the hand-painted backdrop, enhancing the mood and tying everything together visually. It created a moment that felt dynamic. A true standout that showcased the strength of the ensemble.

Final Review: I grew up with Mary Poppins. It was a regular in the VHS rotation. The kind of movie that practically raised you while your parents were busy, and I have a lot of fond memories tied to those songs and scenes. This cast did a beautiful job of bringing that world to life for our community. Yes, there were a few hiccups along the way; some microphone issues, a missed line here and there, the occasional prop doing its own thing; but honestly, that’s part of the charm of live theatre. And none of it ever fully pulled you out of the story.

What makes this production especially impressive is the age of the performers. These are young actors putting on a full-length musical, and not just getting through it but making it genuinely entertaining and worth the time (and the ticket price). That alone deserves recognition.

And then there’s the finale. When the full cast comes together for “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” it hits with so much energy and joy that it’s hard not to feel it. It’s one of those moments where you stop watching a show and just start smiling at it.

In the end, this production captures exactly what Mary Poppins is meant to be: a little magical, a little chaotic, and full of heart. And if you leave the theatre humming, smiling, and maybe questioning your chimney security… I’d say they did their job.