They’re heading across to the huge double-height dance studio – large window, wooden acoustic panels, bare-wood rehearsal stairs on wheels in the middle – to work on the production that’s coming to Dublin next month as the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre ’s Christmas show. Around the edge of the room are a drum kit and keyboard, the director and stage managers’ long desk, shelves with props, rooftop “chimneys” and an old-fashioned pram. It’s busy but organised.
Richard Eyre , the former head of the Royal National Theatre in London, who’s sitting alongside the table, nods as he watches this almost entirely new cast work on a show that he originally directed 20 years ago. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Disney , this stage musical about the Banks family’s magical new nanny has collected stacks of awards since then, including two Oliviers and a Tony, and been seen by more than 15 million people, in English and 13 other languages. James Powell, who is directing this touring production, comes over.
“You’re here for the private little sneak peek. We’re starting with a scene in the house.” We’re among a handful of visitors for this intimate preview of scenes and songs from the Sherman brothers musical.
There’s a burble of excitement: a big company showing off what they’ve been working on for several weeks. In the middle, in a green shirt, amiable and chatty, is Mackintosh, who the New York Times once described as the most successful, influential and.