The 2025 UK tour of Mary Poppins has arrived at Manchester Palace Theatre like a gust of wind from the East – bold, magical, and utterly charming.
This beloved musical, co-produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Disney Theatrical, continues to soar with a reinvigorated staging that captures both the heart of the original and the spectacle expected by modern audiences.
From the moment the overture begins, there’s a tangible sense of excitement.
The production is visually rich, transforming Edwardian London into a pop-up storybook come to life.
The set changes glide seamlessly, and the use of projections and stagecraft delivers the kind of magic that keeps children wide-eyed and adults grinning like them.
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Mary’s iconic flight is breathtaking and still manages to feel like the first time you saw it.
Stefanie Jones returns to the role of Mary Poppins with an effortless elegance. Her portrayal is delightfully crisp, with just the right balance of mystery and warmth. She sings with clarity and control, and her comedic timing keeps the show light and pacey. She is, quite literally, the glue that holds the show together – and she does it with a wink and a twirl of her umbrella.
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As Bert, Jack Chambers brings a buoyant energy that never fades. His charm is infectious, especially during “Step in Time”, a tap number that turns the theatre into a playground. Whether he’s defying gravity on rooftops or leading a chorus of chimney sweeps, Chambers is a joy to watch – charismatic, agile, and sincere.
The score, with classics like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, “A Spoonful of Sugar”, and “Feed the Birds”, remains timeless.
The orchestra handles the blend of whimsy and emotion with skill, and the choreography is as inventive as ever – especially in ensemble numbers that explode with colour and movement.
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The 2025 UK tour of Mary Poppins doesn’t just revisit a classic – it refreshes it. While the story may be light on plot and character depth, the production more than makes up for it with theatrical magic and dazzling stagecraft.
It’s a visual and musical feast that reminds us why this timeless tale continues to soar. Mary Poppins is, indeed, practically perfect in every way.
You can grab tickets for Mary Poppins at the Palace Theatre in Manchester HERE.
Legendary musical CATS is coming to Manchester on its UK tour next year
Emily Sergeant
Legendary musical CATS will be taking to the stage here in Manchester next year.
A brand-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global sensation, CATS, will embark on a major UK tour from summer 2026 following an open-air residency at Regent Park in London – including dates at Manchester’s prestigious Palace Theatre in November.
Based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS is one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history.
The show originally premiered at the New London Theatre in 1981, where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances.
Since its world premiere, the musical has been presented in more than 54 countries, translated into 23 languages, and has been seen by more than 77 million people worldwide – collecting a number of awards along the way.
Legendary musical CATS is coming to Manchester on its UK tour next year / Credit: Feast Creative
This new production of CATS is produced by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, with Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, as part of Drew McOnie’s second season as Artistic Director, and it marks the third Andrew Lloyd Webber title produced by the venue in the last decade.
Unfamiliar with the show? CATS tells the story of the Jellicle cats.
From Euston station to Victoria Grove, the strays and rebels of London gather under the Jellicle moon in the hope they’ll be the chosen one.
With a legendary score featuring well-known songs like Old Deuteronomy, Macavity: The Mystery Cat, TheJellicle Ball, and, of course, the chart-topping hit Memory, this brand-new production of CATS is gearing up to be one of the best theatrical events of 2026.
“I am very excited to see a totally new production of CATS back on the stage where it belongs,” creator Andrew Lloyd Webber said on the show’s return. “I can think of no-one better than Drew McOnie to bring a new vision to the world of the Jellicles.”
Casting and the full creative team is set to be announced in due course, as is the on-sale date and link for tickets, so keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
Theatre
13 Going On 30 The Musical at Manchester Opera House – a fresh take on the nostalgic smash hit
Amy Williams
13 Going On 30 The Musical made its world premiere in Manchester last night, and it’s a night to relive a childhood favourite film, done so brilliantly.
With the original writers, Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, as part of the team plus Andy Fickman, who has screen hits such as She’s The Man and musicals including Heathers, you know from the off this is going to be good.
If you don’t know the story, it begins with a young (13 year old) Jenna and Matty, with Jenna wishing she was one of the popular girls, and instead ‘thirty, flirty and thriving’. The next minute, she wakes up on her 30th birthday.
She got everything she dreamed of – prom queen, editor of a popular fashion magazine, and the dream guy – but lost her best friend, family and became someone she didn’t quite like.
Can she turn it around and get back to the person she once was?
I loved this film when I was closer to 13, and now watching it premiere on the stage a bit closer to 30 myself, it’s still just as brilliant.
13 Going On 30 The Musical in Manchester13 Going On 30 The Musical in ManchesterCredit: Pamela Raith Photography
There’s an original score throughout it too (with the exception of, of course, Thriller – and the whole dance routine to go with it too might I add).
Staring Lucie Jones as Jenna Rink – with previous roles on Les Miserables, Ghost The Musical and Wicked – and David Hunter as Matt Flamhaff, their voices were absolutely incredible. A special mention too to young Matt, with brilliant vocals.
13 Going On 30 The Musical brought back the Thriller dance, the famous multicoloured dress and the need to go back instantly and rewatch the film again (and make my mum watch it, who hadn’t seen the film previously but still loved the show just as much).
13 Going On 30 The Musical is on at the Opera House Manchester until Sunday 12 October and you can still grab tickets here.
Dec Kelly -
12th April 2025 
