MARY POPPINS Flies to Auckland, October 19

The world's most magical musical arrives 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 MARY POPPINS 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 of MARY POPPINS 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. MARY POPPINS the stage musical features the Academy Award winning music and lyrics of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.

The New Zealand production of MARY POPPINS comes straight from extraordinary success in Australia. The production opened in Melbourne July 2010 playing to 100% sold out houses for nine months. Equally successful seasons followed in Sydney, Brisbane & Perth, with both Brisbane and Perth selling out weeks before closing. The production was seen by 1.35 million people and has set new records at every venue played in Australia for pre-sales and advance sales. In 2011, 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. Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher have gathered a creative team of the world's highest calibre; the production is directed by Richard Eyre with co-direction and choreography by Matthew Bourne. Set and costume designs are by Bob Crowley, co-choreography by Stephen Mear, lighting design by Howard Harrison, and orchestrations by William David Brohn.

Associate Director is Adrian Sarple, Associate Choreographer is Geoffrey Garratt and Musical Supervisor is Stephen Brooker. 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. "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.

Tickets on sale in person at the Aotea Centre Box Office, Auckland, by calling 0800 BUY TICKETS or online at www.the-edge.co.nz/marypoppins. Performances begin tonight, 19th October.

www.marypoppinsthemusical.co.nz