Lady Jane Fellowes

THEATER REVIEW: 'Mary Poppins' arrives in spectacular tour

Some Broadway musicals transition easily into road shows, but "Mary Poppins" seemed an unlikely fit. The London-born 2004 production ---- with a huge moving set, gigantic cast and tons of special-effects wizardry ---- would seem too expensive to re-create on the road.

But there's good news for "Poppins" fans. The national touring production that opened a two-week engagement at the San Diego Civic Theatre last week captures virtually all of the magic, color and energy of the original show, and it's traveling with a Broadway-caliber cast.

The stage musical was adapted for the stage by Julian Fellowes from the 1964 Walt Disney film and the original books of P.L. Travers. Disney's celluloid Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) was sweeter than Travers' original English nanny, so Fellowes' version has some of the dark edges of Travers' original books. Some scenes in the Broadway musical (like an eerie toys-come-to-life-at-night scene) were frightening for small children, but that scene and others have been softened considerably for the road.

The biggest change for the tour is the set, which was a character in itself on Broadway --- a multistory, hydraulically controlled dollhouse that opened, closed and turned like pages in a storybook. The set is considerably downsized and cheapened for the tour and hasn't nearly the charm or detail, but that's to be expected for a show that packs up every few weeks to move.

But everything else about this tour is first-class, thanks in no small part to its producer, Cameron Mackintosh, who knows a thing or two about creating flash, dazzle and lavish production values for the road ("Les Miserables," "Cats" and "Phantom of the Opera").

Children will be awed by some of the "how'd they do that" special effects. Mary Poppins flies over the audience, animated pigeons flutter around the "tuppence a bag" bird lady, a hand-puppet dog seems to come alive without a puppeteer, and a bouquet of flowers is pulled right out of a painting. This is one of those rare cases where lower-priced balcony seats may be the best for seeing this show (too close, and you can see the wires, scrims and devices that make all the magic happen).

Princess Diana's Wedding Jewelry – A Surprise Guest ...

According to Today Show blog, The Windsor Knot , the diamond drop earrings were the “something borrowed” worn by Diana to marry Charles and were seen in all their glory when the couple kissed on the Buckingham Palace balcony 30 years ago (they were owned by Diana’s mother, Frances Shand Kydd, who died in 2004).

The priceless jewels were flown back from America, where they were featured in the exhibition Diana: A Celebration . Now at Union Station museum and gallery in  Kansas City, the display also includes the late princess’s wedding dress and other items from her life.

While all of the Spencer family, including Diana’s other sister Lady Jane Fellowes and brother Earl Spencer, will be attending – royal watchers were shocked to learn that none of them will play a visible role in the ceremony.

A snub of royal porportions? Or a tasteful way to make the day just about William and Kate?  I’m going with the latter. Let’s not rub salt in old wounds.

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