Musical is practically perfect for a festive show

MARY Poppins is back in town and as the Wales Millennium Centre's Christmas show, you couldn't ask for better.

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A special story to me, and millions of others, I spent every Christmas and Easter watching the Disney movie and with the big-screen Bert, aka Dick Van Dyke, celebrating his 100th birthday (on December 13), it felt like utter kismet to go along and see this mesmerising interpretation of PL Travers’ 1930s literary heroine.

Having seen the Cameron Mackintosh musical twice before, I knew what I was in for, so was quite excited - especially as I was taking my six-year-old stepson, who's utterly fresh to the magic of the sharp and sweet practically perfect nanny.

It’s a really long show, two hours and 40 minutes with an interval, but he was mesmerised at every moment, as was I.

I'd love to go back in time and see the fantastic set pieces for Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Step in Time and Jolly Holiday for the first time ever: my little theatre pal was as enraptured too.

If you've not seen this musical before - or even if you have - the intricacies and technique, mixed with exuberant energy of the entire cast are incredible.

It will impress you and it still took my breath away even on my third viewing.