Mary Poppins to bring magic to Auckland

The award-winning Disney musical Mary Poppins will open at The Civic, Auckland this October.

Based on the beloved books by P.L. Travers and the 1964 Walt Disney film, the multi-award winning musical will play The Civic, Auckland for a strictly limited season.

Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher for Disney Theatrical Productions, the New Zealand production follows productions in London, New York, Australia, and Holland as well as British and North American touring productions.

With four productions currently running on three continents, Mary poppins is one of the biggest stage musical successes to emerge from London or New York in recent years.

Worldwide to date, the show has grossed over (US) $679 million and welcomed almost 10 million guests.

The musical is the winner of 44 major theatre awards around the globe, including Tony®, Olivier, Helpmann and Evening standard Awards.

The New Zealand production comes straight from sell-out shows in Australia.

The production was seen by 1.35 million people and has set new records at every venue played in Australia .

Mary Poppins won a record breaking 8 Australian Helpmann Awards, including Best Musical.

The stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey, Gosford Park), who wrote the book, and George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who composed new songs and additional music and lyrics.

The production is directed by Richard Eyre with co-direction and choreography by Matthew Bourne. Set and costume designs are by Bob Crowley.

From London, Cameron Mackintosh said; "I am particularly thrilled that the Australian production of "Mary Poppins" has been such a phenomenal success as, of course, Australia was the birthplace of its' celebrated creator, P.L. Travers. It is several years since I have had a production that I felt was special enough to bring to Auckland but the spectacular staging of this eternal family classic with a terrific international cast, fabulous score by the Sherman brothers and breathtaking choreography by Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear is certain to give New Zealand audiences a supercalifragilistic time."

"We at Disney Theatricals are thrilled to be presenting our first-ever production in New Zealand when Mary Poppins arrives in Auckland this spring," said Thomas Schumacher, producer Disney Theatrical Productions. < p>"The Walt Disney Company has been in the lives of New Zealanders for decades through its movies, television programs and licensing of our theatrical titles, but it's especially gratifying to be bringing the unparalleled experience of live theatre - especially this spectacular original production overseen by the show's original creative team. We hope it's embraced as warmly there as it has been in its nearly two years in Australia.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown said an Auckland season of Mary Poppins is a great outcome for the region.

"Mary Poppins is another world-class event and Auckland is a world-class entertainment destination. "

Tickets go on sale on June 21 from 0800 BUY TICKETS, from the Aotea Centre Box Office, Auckland or any Ticketmaster outlet.