If you’re asking who is playing Mary Poppins today, you aren't just looking for one name. It’s a trick question. Depending on whether you are standing in the middle of London’s West End, browsing Disney+, or sitting in a local theater in the Midwest, the answer changes completely. Julie Andrews owns the silhouette. Emily Blunt owns the modern cinematic revival. But right now? The "practically perfect" nanny is being reinvented by a handful of elite stage performers who have to do something Andrews never had to: sing "Step in Time" while tapping upside down on a ceiling.
Honestly, it’s a grueling role. You can't just be a good singer. You have to be a disciplinarian with a heart of gold and a professional-grade gymnast.
The Current Face of Mary Poppins on Stage
The most prominent name associated with the role lately is Zizi Strallen. If the last name sounds familiar in the world of British theater, it should. She’s part of a massive musical theater dynasty. Strallen took over the role for the major West End revival at the Prince Edward Theatre and essentially became the gold standard for the modern stage version.
She isn't just mimicking the 1964 film. Strallen’s Mary is a bit sharper. A bit more "no-nonsense." When she snaps her fingers, you actually believe the room might tidy itself. She led the production through its massive post-pandemic reopening, and for many, she is the Mary Poppins of this decade.
But theater is a moving target.
In the United Kingdom and various international touring companies, the baton often passes to performers like Stefanie Jones. Jones received massive critical acclaim for her portrayal in the Australian production before headlining the 2024-2025 UK and Ireland tour. Watching her, you see a different energy. It’s less about the stiff upper lip and a bit more about the twinkle in the eye.
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Why the Stage Role is Harder Than the Movie
In the 1964 Disney classic, Julie Andrews had the benefit of film cuts and wires that were edited out. On stage? The actress playing Mary has to perform "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" with high-speed hand choreography that would make a drummer dizzy.
Then there’s the flight.
Every night, the actress is harnessed up and flown over the audience. It requires immense core strength to look graceful while being suspended forty feet in the air, all while hitting a high G.
The Cinematic Legacy: Andrews vs. Blunt
We can’t talk about who is playing Mary Poppins without acknowledging the two women who defined her for the screen.
- Julie Andrews (1964): The blueprint. Andrews famously took the role after being passed over for My Fair Lady in favor of Audrey Hepburn. She won the Oscar, Hepburn wasn't even nominated, and the rest is history. Her Mary is warm, crystalline, and maternal.
- Emily Blunt (2018): In Mary Poppins Returns, Blunt went back to the original P.L. Travers books for inspiration. The Mary in the books is actually kind of vain. She loves looking at her reflection in shop windows. Blunt captured that slightly haughty, eccentric edge that made the character feel fresh again without disrespecting what Andrews built.
Some fans were skeptical. Could anyone else hold the umbrella? Blunt proved they could, though her version of Mary is arguably more of a "theatrical" performance than the 1964 version.
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The P.L. Travers Factor: What the Author Wanted
P.L. Travers, the creator of the Mary Poppins stories, famously hated the Disney movie. She thought it was too sugary. She hated the animated penguins. If you’ve seen the movie Saving Mr. Banks, you know the drama.
Because of this, modern actresses playing the role—especially on stage—often try to inject a bit of that "Travers grit." They make her a bit more mysterious. Where did she come from? Where does she go? She’s essentially a cosmic entity who happens to be great at measuring medicine.
Who is playing Mary Poppins in local and regional tours?
Because the rights to the Mary Poppins musical are so popular, there is almost always a major regional production happening in cities like Chicago, Sydney, or Hamburg.
- Stefanie Jones is currently the primary "Big Name" for the UK/Ireland tour.
- Gisèle St. Etienne recently made waves in the French-language adaptations.
- Various Disney Cruise Line performers take on the mantle daily, delivering a condensed version of the show for travelers.
It’s a role that requires a "triple threat" skill set. You’ll rarely see a "stunt cast" (like a TikTok star or a reality TV personality) in this role because the technical requirements are just too high. You have to be able to dance, act, and sing classically.
The Future: Will there be a Mary Poppins 3?
Rumors constantly swirl about Disney wanting to round out a trilogy. If that happens, Emily Blunt is the obvious choice to return. She’s expressed interest in the past, noting that she loves the "eccentricity" of the character.
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However, Disney has been quiet lately. With the focus shifting toward live-action remakes of their 90s hits (like Lilo & Stitch or Hercules), the nanny from 17 Cherry Tree Lane might stay on the stage for a few years before returning to the silver screen.
How to Find Who is Playing Mary Poppins Near You
If you want to catch a live performance, the casting changes seasonally.
Check Official Tour Sites
Always start with the official Disney Tickets or Cameron Mackintosh websites. They list the current leads for the London and North American tours.
Look at Playbill for Regional Shows
In the U.S., Mary Poppins is a staple of regional summer stock theater. Check Playbill.com for "Mary Poppins" listings. You might find a rising Broadway star playing the role in a smaller city before they make it big in New York.
Social Media Casting Announcements
Most modern "Marys" are announced via Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) by the production companies. Follow "Mary Poppins Musical" on social platforms to see the newest face behind the parrot-head umbrella.
Actionable Steps for Theater Fans
To stay updated on who is playing the role or to experience the magic yourself:
- Check the Cast List Weekly: If you are planning a trip to see the show, check the "Current Cast" page on the show's official website about two weeks before your date. Lead actors often have scheduled nights off (alternates).
- Listen to the Cast Recordings: Compare Zizi Strallen’s 2020 London cast recording with the original Broadway cast (Ashley Brown) or the 1964 soundtrack. You’ll hear the evolution of the character's voice.
- Read the Original Books: If you want to understand why Emily Blunt played the role the way she did, read Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers. It changes how you view the "nanny" entirely.
- Set a Google Alert: Use the phrase "Mary Poppins Musical Casting" to get notified the second a new tour or film sequel is announced.
The role of Mary Poppins is less about a single actress and more about a legacy of performance excellence. Whether it’s the sharp-tongued version from the books or the singing icon from the movies, the character remains the ultimate "get" for any musical theater actress. Keep an eye on the West End; that is usually where the next great Mary is discovered before she takes over the world.