On Monday July 19th, 2004, Nathan began rehearsals for the brand new, world premier production of Mary Poppins the Musical, a collaboration between producers Cameron Mackintosh and Disney. The production marks first time that the novels by P. L. Travers have ever hit the Musical stage, and brings the World's most famous and well-loved nanny to the West End.

The show opened at the Bristol Hippodrome in September 2004, then it arrived at the Prince Edward Theatre in time for Christmas, with the 1st preview on the 6th of December, and the official Premiere on the 15th.

Having taken part in the workshop of the show in October 2003, Nathan was delighted to be able to take part in the full production, as it is the first time he has ever been involved with such a large-scale piece right from its inception.

Nathan played the part of Northbrook, an honest, hard-working Yorkshireman petitioning the bank for a loan so that he can build a factory in his home town, that will provide an industry and income for the people of his community.
He also played the role of Valentine, a doll belonging to Jane Banks, who, with a little magical help from Mary Poppins herself, comes to life to teach the naughty children a valuable lesson about contolling their temper. This is the same part that Nathan had played in the workshop at the Old Vic Theatre a year previously.

This new production features many of the well-known songs from the Disney movie, by the Sherman brothers (Including "Chim Chiminey," "Jolly Holiday," and of course, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."), as well as brand new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, the award-winning team behind "Honk!" and "Just So."

The book is by Oscar-winner, Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park), and the show features choreography by Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear, with direction by Richard Eyre.

Visit the official website for the show at:
www.marypoppinsthemusical.com.

Cast Details (In Alphabetical Order) Bert - Gavin Lee George Banks - David Haig Winifred Banks - Linzi Hately Jane Banks - Charlotte Spencer, Faye Spittlehouse, Carrie Fletcher, Nicola Bowman, Poppy Lee Friar Michael Banks - Harry Stott, Jack Montgomery, Perry Millward, Ben Watton, Jake Catterall Katie Nanna - Louisa Shaw Policeman - Tim Morgan Miss Lark - Claire Machin Admiral Boom - Ian Burford Mrs Brill - Jenny Galloway Robertson Ay - Gerard Carey Mary Poppins - Laura Michelle Kelly Park Keeper - Kevin Williams Neleus - Stuart Neal Bank Chairman - Ian Burford Von Hussler - Alan Vicary Northbrook - Nathan Taylor Miss Smythe - Rosemary Ashe Bird Woman - Julia Sutton Mrs Corry - Melanie La Barrie Annie - Poppy Tierney Fannie - Savannah Stevenson Valentine - Nathan Taylor William - Terel Nugent Mr Punch - Kevin Williams Doll - Poppy Tierney Miss Andrew - Rosemary Ashe Also with - Jye Frasca, Lewis Greenslade, Howard Jones, Sarah Keeton, Matthew Malthouse, Stephen McGlynn, Tamara McKoy Patterson, Zak Nemorin, Lisa O'Hare & Agnes Vandrepote Swings - Sarah Bayliss, Ashley Day, Philip Michael Thomas, Pippa Raine, Emma Woods and Andrew Wright

Photographs Click on the thumbnails (above) to view the photos. This first picture was taken during rehearsals at the Sadler's Wells Theatre rehearsal studio. Co-choreographer Stephen Mear leads the company in polishing up some of the steps for the show's seven-minute tap number, Step In Time. The photo shows: Pippa Raine, Gavin Lee, Andrew Wright, Stephen Mear, Tamara McKoy Patterson, Stuart Neal, Lisa O'Hare, Nathan Taylor, Terel Nugent, Sarah Keeton & Zak Nemorin. ...And here is what all the work was heading towards. This picture comes from a moment about halfway through the number. All of the chimneys on the stage are sliding off the the right of the picture, and the Sweeps are running on the spot, giving the impression that they are moving off to the left at great speed. The photo shows: Jye Frasca, Alan Vicary, Louisa Shaw, Nathan Taylor, Gavin Lee, Lewis Greenslade, Terel Nugent & Kevin Williams. Here is Nathan, deep in converstaion with David Haig (George Banks), as potential factory owner John Northbrook, trying to persuade him to loan him enough money to get his venture off the ground and give his townspeople a brighter future. And finally, here's Nathan as Valentine, the doll that comes alive and teaches the children a lesson about the importance of controlling their tempers. The scene is one that you wouldn't recognise from the film, and is an adaptaion of a chapter from the original novel, entitled, "The Bad Tuesday." The picture shows William, Mr Punch & Valentine (Terel Nugent, Kevin Williams and Nathan), terrorising Michael and Jane (Harry Stott and Charlotte Spencer).