A Practically Perfect Christmas: Mary Poppins Flies Into Cardiff

As Mary Poppins prepares to float into Cardiff for a magical festive run at the Wales Millennium Centre, we had a chat with leading lady Stephanie Jones to talk about the show, the music and the joy of performing the world’s favourite nanny at Christmas.

Ian: For anyone who has never seen Mary Poppins on stage, how would you describe the story?

Stefanie Jones: Even though I play Mary Poppins and the show carries her name, I have always seen it as a story about the Banks family. They are stuck in a rut, money is tight, they are not communicating and they cannot find a nanny who fits. George Banks is parenting the way he was raised, which has made him quite stern and closed off. Then Mary arrives, almost without them realising how she came to be there, and she helps set their world back on its feet. Through magic and music, she teaches the children important lessons and helps the whole family reconnect.

Ian: You first played Mary Poppins in Australia. How did the role originally come your way?

Stefanie Jones: It began with a casting call, as most shows do. Friends of mine kept giving me a little wink and saying I should go for it. I honestly thought the best I could hope for was the understudy. But as the auditions went on, everything felt right. The material sat well in my voice and I understood the direction I was given. It still took several auditions and a lot of work, including flying to London for my final round with Cameron Mackintosh. It was a huge process, but completely worth it.

Ian: Julie Andrews and Emily Blunt have both played Mary Poppins. How much of their Mary finds its way into your version?

Stefanie Jones: It is hard not to be influenced by Julie Andrews. I grew up with the film, and her voice and presence are iconic. But the script, written by Julian Fellows, guides you in its own way. There is a melody to the text that naturally shapes how Mary speaks. You never aim to do an impression, but you want to honour the nostalgia people feel. The show has been loved for so long and people come with memories, so you want to respect that while making the role your own.

Ian: The songs are a huge part of the show. Which numbers are the most challenging to perform?

Stefanie Jones: It changes depending on how tired you are or how many shows you have done that week. Step in Time is a big one. It lasts eleven minutes and has a huge amount of choreography and staging. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is also famous for its movement. Stephen Meir based much of it on sign language, which makes it really special, especially for audience members who use sign. Once all the choreography is in your body, they are great fun to perform.

Ian: You are coming to Cardiff over Christmas. Does performing a show like this feel extra special at this time of year?

Stefanie Jones: Absolutely. We were all so excited when we found out Christmas would be spent in Cardiff. It feels like the perfect fit. The atmosphere of Christmas really complements the show and the show enhances that festive feeling too. I have never visited Cardiff before but I have heard only wonderful things. And as an Australian who normally has a summer Christmas, I am very ready for a proper winter one.

Ian: Mary Poppins is famous for her magic. If you could borrow one of her abilities for real, which would you choose?

Stefanie Jones: Flying, without a doubt. The magic in the show is incredible and the team who created it are so clever with how everything works. You can hear the audience react every night, especially to the surprises. And yes, there is flying in the show. It is always a dream for an actor to experience that.

Ian: For anyone unsure whether Mary Poppins is for them, why should they come and see it?

Stefanie Jones: There is a common idea that Mary Poppins, being a Disney property, is only for children. It is absolutely for children, but the adults are the ones who often tell me after the show how deeply it touched them. It is about family, connection and healing. There is so much heart in it. People return again and again because it speaks to them. There is something in it for everyone.

Ian: We cannot wait to welcome you to Cardiff.

Stefanie Jones: I cannot wait either. I am wishing for snow. Maybe Cardiff will surprise us.

Mary Poppins arrives at the Wales Millennium Centre from the 3rd December 2025 – 10 January 2026, promising joy, magic and plenty of heart for audiences of all ages.

Tickets are available from the Wales Millennium centre website – www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/2025/mary-poppins