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Welcome to the Nanny State. A place where the pressures of work and big mortgages alienate parents from their children. Where big banks punt on dodgy schemes. Where the help arrives on fly-in/fly-out contracts.
Drawing on the 1964 film, P.L. Travers's darker-toned books and 21st-century work versus life angst, this mega-bucks Cameron Mackintosh-Disney co-production is not as lavishly scenic as Wicked. Yet its seamless flow, balance of sentiment and humour and splendid choreography create extravagant family entertainment.
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Philip Quast excels as the work-pressured Mr Banks. In many respects the show is more about his wounded soul (the victim of a harsh nanny) and his journey from paternal figurehead to playful modern dad than anything else.
Marina Prior worries and flits perfectly as his slightly helpless wife Winifred.
