South Shields actress Jennifer's flying home in '˜magical' Mary Poppins

South Shields actress Jennifer Davison, far left, in Mary Poppins.

Jennifer Davison is starring in Mary Poppins and can’t wait for the tour’s run at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal.

The magical musical will be calling at the theatre from September 9 to October 29.

Playing The Game - Zizi Strallen as Mary Poppins.

Jennifer, from Westoe, is one of the ensemble members as well as the understudy for the eponymous role.

The 28-year-old said: “I’m so excited to get to Newcastle. I used to do the panto at the Theatre Royal when I was a ‘babe’, about seven or eight-years-old, but I haven’t been on that stage since so it’s going to be really weird but amazing.

“I’m going to be turning 29 while I’m in Newcastle too and it’s really exciting that I get to be home for my birthday.

“I left home when I was 18 and since then I haven’t been back for longer than three weeks at a time, but this time around I’ll be here for eight weeks and I’m really looking forward to spending time back at home and catching up with everyone. The cast is very excited too because they’ve heard about nights out in Newcastle.”

Step In Time. Zizi Strallen as Mary Poppins and the company.

Jennifer, who trained at Lumsdale Theatre Arts in South Shields before going on to earn a distinction in musical theatre at the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts in Surrey, is hoping she’ll get the chance to appear as Mary during her home-run.

She said: “I’ve been on as Mary in almost every city we’ve been to so far, but I don’t know yet if I’ll get the chance to do it in Newcastle, but if I do it’ll be pretty special.

“I grew up watching the film, and I still love it – it’s the kind that never dates.

“The show is really magical. It has the story of the film and all the songs but lots of extra bits as well. The writer has sort of mixed the film with some of the lesser-known stories from the books and Cameron Mackintosh, the producer, has done an amazing job with it – it’s such a spectacle.”

Let's Go Fly A Kite - Matt Lee as Bert, Madeline Banbury as Jane Banks and Colby Mulgrew as Michael Banks.

She added: “I don’t think the cast is ready for the audiences at Newcastle. I know what they’re going to be like but I think everyone else will get a shock.

“The audiences up north are always so welcoming and I think people in Newcastle just genuinely love theatre.

“I feel so lucky that I’m going to get to work and be at home – I just can’t wait.”

Mary Poppins runs at the Theatre Royal from September 9 to October 29. To book tickets, go to www.theatreroyal.co.uk or call the box office on 08448 112 121.