Mary Poppins stars revealed for Manchester Palace

May 20 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

LANCASTER born Lisa O’Hare will star as Mary Poppins and Daniel Crossley from Southport will play Bert in Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s award-winning musical Mary Poppins at the Palace Theatre in Manchester this Christmas.

Lisa O’Hare is currently receiving rave reviews as Eliza Doolittle in the US tour of My Fair Lady, a role she also played in the UK tour.

She has also appeared as Mary in the West End production of Poppins and her other credits include Anything Goes at the National Theatre. This summer she will play the title role in Gigi at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park.

Daniel Crossley has appeared in the West End productions of Chicago, Fosse, Anything Goes and BoyBand. His other credits include several seasons at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park appearing in Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It and Oh, What A Lovely War.

Lisa and Daniel will be joined by Martin Ball as Mr Banks, Louise Bowden as Mrs Banks, Deryn Edwards as Miss Andrew, Shirley Jameson as Mrs Brill, Valda Aviks as Birdwoman and Mark Anderson as Robertson Ay.

Mary Poppins includes many of the original songs from the classic film with music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman.

The new stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes who has written the book, and the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe who have written the new songs and additional music and lyrics.

The show can be seen from December 11-March 7. Ring 0844 847 2403 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.