Baz Blog <http://bazblog.dailymail.co.uk/>
15 November 2006
The nanny's a hit in New York

Turn off any street from New York's Times Square and there are towering illuminated signs for musicals both mega and small. Mary Poppins, the hit musical version of the famous Disney movie, is having its final preview tonight before opening tomorrow night (November/16).

I've seen it and it's terrific, tighter and lighter than the London version, although Cameron Mackintosh told me the changes from the New York production have just been introduced to the show running at the Prince Edward Theatre in London.

But the London version hasn't got Gavin Lee, the seemingly rubber-limbed, London-born star who created the role of Bert, the chimney sweep at the Prince Edward. He's on Broadway wowing audiences as the show's narrator. He's married to an American which means he has a Green Card which allows him to work in America for as long as he wants. I suspect he'll be playing Bert on Broadway for well beyond his one year contract.

Ashley Brown as the famous title character delighted every child in the house, and that's all of us, because the moment we see this classic nanny every adult becomes a child again.

Three blocks away at the Music Box on 45th Street another Brit on Broadway is having the time of his life. Bill Nighy, best known as the sad rocker in Love Actually and the scary Davy Jones in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie Dead Man's Chest, is the leading man, opposite Julianne Moore, in David Hare's great new play The Vertical Hour which has been beautifully directed by Sam Mendes.

It's an exhilarating exploration of personal and political responsibility and, of course, the subject at the heart of Hare's drama is the war in Iraq. It's the most gripping play I've seen on either side of the Atlantic this year. But I've always felt that plays about ideas never work unless you've got a first class cast to translate the dramatist's arguments.

But not every play has Nighy,who, by the way, is making his Broadway debut. Every line he utters hits its mark in an effortless style that's glorious to behold. Nighy's already on the way to becoming a national treasure in the UK. Well, The Vertical Hour will make him a mega star in America.

As an added bonus, Nighy pops up in Richard Eyre's sublime film Notes on a Scandal (opening later in the year). Eyre, I should add, also directed Mary Poppins. The movie's about a teacher who has an affair with a fifteen-year-old pupil. Cate Blanchett plays the teacher, and Nighy's wife, and Judi Dench, not wishing to give too much away, plays a fellow teacher.

Watching Blanchett and Dench, two actresses at the top of their considerable form, is astonishing. When they're in a scene together you hold your breath and pray it won't end. It's one of those rare, dream movie pairings that create real sparks to come out of the screen. That Nighy can hold his own with those two is an indication, if any were needed, of what a true master of his craft he is.

Blanchett and Dench will certainly be in the front rank for Academy Award and Bafta nominations for best supporting actress and best actress, and, although Nighy's role is a small one, it would be fun to see him in a nomination line up as well. Book yourself a flight to to see Nighy in New York now. It's worth it, believe me.