Interview with Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers, Mary Poppins The Musical
Conducted by Emmie for Theatre & Tonic
Inspired by the stories of P.L. Travers and the cherished Walt Disney film, Mary Poppins tells the story of the world’s most beloved nanny, who arrives on Cherry Tree Lane to help a family in need. This classic, multi-award-winning musical had a successful run in the West End until 2023.Now on a major UK and Ireland tour, produced by Cameron Mackintosh, we caught up with acclaimed Australian stars Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers who reprise their roles on the tour as Mary Poppins and Bert to find out more about this wonderful production.
Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers.
Let’s start with the beginning of your journey with Mary Poppins and what was it about this production which encouraged you to be a part of it?
Stefanie: It’s such a beautiful show. I remember where I was when it was first announced that it was going to be coming to Australia. And to be honest, being in this industry when there’s a lot of rejection, you tend to go into a bit of self preservation. I was trying to trick myself into thinking I didn’t want it too much, right up until my final audition. I still was trying to not want it too much in case it didn't go my way. But of course, of course, I knew that this would be not only a dream show, but a dream role. So I'm so thrilled that it worked out. But yeah, who wouldn't want to be a part of it? It's such an iconic story, iconic characters. It's so beloved the world over, and the musical really delivers in that sense.
Jack: Yeah I mean I could not audition for this. I love song and dance characters - Bert is absolutely that. I remember seeing the show many, many years ago and really loving it and I just knew I had to at least audition and give it a try. It was actually a really interesting, more unique scenario of auditioning for us because it was in the height of COVID back in Australia. Steph was in Sydney, and I was in Brisbane, and the creative team didn't come to Brisbane, because obviously there were lockdowns going on and things like that. So I could only do a self tape. And I think Stephanie managed to get into the room a few times or so, it was the first time I’ve been in an audition scenario where I didn’t see who else was auditioning. I didn’t know Stef was being considered for the role of Mary, even when I flew out to London for the final audition.
It was a sigh of relief when I found out she was because we actually have history. We've known each other since we were children, because we're both from Brisbane and Australia, and both worked together in a show as kids in The Sound of Music, where we were both von Trapp children. So that was our first show together, and then this was potentially going to be our second show together. It was a wild ride to fly all the way over here to audition for the show.
This is a stage adaptation of the beloved Disney film, what makes Mary Poppins such a timeless story for audiences of all ages?
Stefanie: It’s just the heart that it has and the story that it tells. The crux of it is a simplistic story of a family who have sort of lost their way and lost their connection with each other, and their priorities are all a bit skewed, then this magical nanny sort of comes and lines that all back up again. Who can’t relate to a bit of family drama or trying to heal your own generational trauma?
People think it’s a kids show and it is, it’s very appropriate for young hearts and minds, but there’s something in it for adults as well definitely.
Jack: I think the adults tend to forget that because it is nostalgic. You remember all the songs and you come along wanting to enjoy that, the spectacle of the show and then I think they’re very quickly reminded of how much heart the show has. It takes people on such an emotional rollercoaster and there are lots of tears in the audience and that takes them off guard.
Talking about audiences of all ages, many of your audience are probably young and heading to the theatre for the first time. What is it like to be a part of that experience?
Stefanie: That’s super important to us all and that’s the thing that keeps us going. We do stay in jobs for hundreds and hundreds of shows for years at a time, but knowing there is always someone in the audience whose first time it is, whether it's a kid or an adult.. And we want them to keep coming back. We want them to love it so much and to finally understand what it's like to catch the theatre bug. So we do take on that responsibility and hold it dear to our hearts. We have proof in meeting and chatting with people how much theatre can change someone’s life so it’s a real honor.
This show features incredible choreography from Stephen Mear and Matthew Bourne. How challenging is it to master the iconic numbers in the show like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”?
Jack: Very detailed - especially ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ with the inspired sign language shapes that we’re trying to create. Mainly because that number is done at such a fast pace you have to be really clean in your movements. We have a great creative team who keep us in check especially when after numerous shows sometimes you can cut corners. They really make sure we’re still on it. But it’s actually such a joy to perform choreography that is so detailed and still so story driven. It's really, really enjoyable to know why you're doing this dance step, or why.
Mary Poppins also features some memorable songs, which is your favourite and why?
Stefanie: I always like to say that I love ‘Feed the Birds’ In contrast to the spectacle to the rest of this production, it is a really nice sort of quiet and more intimate number. It has a beautiful message to it too. The orchestration is stunning and everytime it starts, it gets me going. There’s also the final music when Mary flies away and that’s so beautifully written too. It's perfect. And that's why it's such a pinch me moment to be a part of a show that I think is so flawless. The music is second to none. The choreography matches it, the set design, the costumes, everything is spectacular. And then you have this book, this text that is just so beautifully written. When you're handed material like that, I think it's hard to go wrong.
Jack: The music in the show is truly magical. Throughout the performance, the orchestration plays a key role in shaping the emotion, mood, and even the pacing of each scene. Even when we're not singing or dancing, the music powerfully conveys the feeling of the moment—whether it's the tenderness of a kiss or the sorrow of a sad scene. It really helps the audience connect with the emotions on stage, and it's simply stunning.
It's hard for me to pick a favourite song because I love so many of them. The high-energy numbers like ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ and ‘Jolly Holiday’ are always exciting, but I particularly enjoy performing ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee’ on the rooftop with Mary. I weave that melody into several parts of the show, and it's one of my personal favorites. It’s a more intimate moment where I don’t have to be full-on energetic, which is nice. Plus, I just adore the melody of that song.
Touring a production involves a lot of travel alongside a demanding schedule - how do you stay energised and connected to your characters across different venues?
Stefanie: Moving around in a sense energises us. You know new locations, new theatres, fresh new audiences who are so excited that you've finally arrived in town and then most places we're going there are cast members who are from that place, so it's really nice to do social things together and for them to show you around.
Jack: Because we’re from Australia, we’re used to doing longer seasons on a tour over there. We may sit somewhere for like eight months before we get our week off in between moving to somewhere else. So it has been quite nice with this tour that we’re doing so much moving around. It’s a nice time to refresh when we do get a break and come back into work feeling energised and ready for a new audience. Every theatre we’ve visited so far has brought a different energy and that’s really interesting to experience.
Stefanie, you play the iconic character of Mary Poppins. How do you balance staying true to the original while bringing your own interpretation to the role?
Stefanie: There is a bit of pressure associated I guess, because you do know that people are coming to the theatre because they've loved the film so much in its own right, and Julie Andrews is so iconic in the role, I guess we're somewhat helped by the musical pulling a lot more from the books than the movie itself. So it does feel like a slightly separate entity. So it's not cookie cutter the same. But of course, I feel like they do want to hear these songs sung a certain way. They do want to have the accent and the wit and the charm and all those things that she's so famous for but a lot of that has actually come quite easily again, because it is so well written and it's sort of there in the text.
Cameron was really clear in our final auditions that he wanted to see us in our version of the roles. It can be hard for us to sort of signify what those little traits are. But there are fans of the show who have come to see the show so many times that they've seen so many different Mary's and so many different Bert’s. Because of this, they can pinpoint your differences. And I guess us just being who we are, something shines through and we naturally make it our own.
Jack you take on the character of Bert, someone who is filled with charisma and warmth. How do you prepare for such a high-energy and likable role?
Jack: That's a very good question. Well, because he is such a fun character, I have a lot of enjoyment playing the role, so that already makes it somewhat easier. I don't even want to say easy, because it's not that he's an easy character to play, you know, eight times a week. To maintain that little level of energy, I do really try to look after myself when I'm not on stage. I have to make sure I get my sleep which can be tricky because I want to see where we are and explore the place whilst I’m there but sometimes I have to make those little sacrifices so that when I come out on stage I can give Bert all that I possibly can. But as I said, it's such a fun show, such a fun character to play, that I find the energy and the connection quite easily.
Finally, how would you sum up Mary Poppins in three words?
Stefanie: Spectacular, heartfelt and magical.
Jack: Nostalgic, energetic and heartfelt.
Catch Stefanie and Jack on the UK tour of Mary Poppins until January 2026. Further information about the tour can be found via https://marypoppins.co.uk/
