[Comment] Musical 'Mary Poppins' Japan Performance Reaches 250 Shows! Special Comments Arrive from Mary Poppins (Megumi Hamada) & Bert (Yusuke Onuki)
The musical 'Mary Poppins' will mark its 250th performance in Japan on May 6, 2026. To celebrate this milestone, lead actors Megumi Hamada and Yusuke Onuki shared special comments about their long-standing involvement and memorable experiences with the production.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 04:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 19:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 20:12 (41 min after Collected)
Musical "Mary Poppins", currently showing at Tokyu Theatre Orb in Shibuya since March, will reach its 250th performance in Japan with the 5:30 PM show on May 6th (Wednesday, public holiday).
After its Japan premiere in 2018, the production has been performed repeatedly in 2022 and 2026. To commemorate the 250th performance, special comments have arrived from Megumi Hamada, who has played Mary Poppins since the premiere, and Yusuke Onuki, who plays Bert. They shared memories unique to them, having performed together for a long time, and their thoughts on each other.
The Tokyo performances will run until May 9th (Saturday) at Tokyu Theatre Orb.
Following that, the Osaka performances will be held at Umeda Arts Theater Main Hall from May 21st (Thursday) to June 6th (Saturday). It has also been decided that some curtain calls during the Osaka performances will allow photography and commemorative stickers will be distributed at the opening.
For the 250th performance in Japan on May 6th (Wednesday, public holiday) at 5:30 PM, the photo spot at the theater entrance, which is set up during intermission and after the show, will be a special version!
Special Comments from Megumi Hamada (Mary Poppins) & Yusuke Onuki (Bert)
Regarding the 250th performance in Japan
* **Megumi Hamada**
Including auditions, I have been involved with this work for about 12 years, and it has become the role I have played the longest in my life. I didn't even realize it until I was told, and I'm very surprised. I have played roles many times before, but I feel Mary is the most familiar to me. When I'm on stage, there are times when I feel like myself and not myself, and I feel completely identified with her. Mr. Onuki and I have been performing together since the premiere, and we perform with a sense of security with each other.
* **Yusuke Onuki**
I truly feel like I've been involved with this work for a very long time. When I perform with Ms. Hamada, I feel an indescribable sense of security, like returning home, and I perform with a relaxed feeling. However, in the final scene, I feel a poignant sense of really saying goodbye. There are times when it's ambiguous whether that's acting or my own feelings, and I feel that I fit well with the role of Bert. I am grateful to have encountered such a role and this work where I can have such an experience.
Memories of the Audition
* **Megumi Hamada**
I had also seen performances in London, and when I auditioned, I thought it might be too difficult for me to play Mary. Now, I feel a strange connection, as if Mary came to capture me.
* **Yusuke Onuki**
For me, it was a life-changing event. A mentor-like figure told me, "Bert suits you, so you absolutely have to get it. If you don't pass, quit the agency." I challenged the audition with the determination that I absolutely had to pass. During the rehearsals for the premiere, I worked desperately, and now that I've performed many times, I feel a sense of destiny that I was meant to meet this work. I believe that my current self is definitely thanks to "Mary Poppins."
Memorable Incidents during Performances
* **Megumi Hamada**
During the very first preview performance of the premiere, when Mary was flying up at the end, the equipment stopped! While I was wondering what to do, a child in the audience who noticed it stopped shouted, "Go, Mary!" and I replied, "I'll do my best! But I've become reluctant to go home." After that, I sang "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and, with Bert who came out midway, we managed to get through it together.
* **Yusuke Onuki**
Similarly, it was an incident during the very first preview performance of the premiere. In the atmosphere where the whole theater was wondering what to do, I went out and said, "Mary, what are you doing?" While Mary was being rescued with other equipment, I danced to keep the audience's attention from focusing on the equipment. This accident made the staff from the original country trust us, thinking, "If these two are there, they'll solve any problem as Mary and Bert."
To the Fans who Love the Work
* **Megumi Hamada**
Eight years have passed since the premiere, and I feel that all the fans who have watched it, together with the cast and staff, have nurtured the musical "Mary Poppins." Both the audience and I may have experienced various changes over these eight years, but I hope to continue to cherish and nurture this work and perform its important message for a long time.
* **Yusuke Onuki**
In an era where AI and new things are increasingly emerging, I believe that analog human warmth and happiness, things that can be felt firsthand, will continue to remain and are necessary. That is why I want this work to continue without losing its core essence. I want to continue playing Bert, and I hope to perform each and every show as if a miracle can happen in every performance.
Osaka performances: Photography partially allowed during all curtain calls.
After its Japan premiere in 2018, the production has been performed repeatedly in 2022 and 2026. To commemorate the 250th performance, special comments have arrived from Megumi Hamada, who has played Mary Poppins since the premiere, and Yusuke Onuki, who plays Bert. They shared memories unique to them, having performed together for a long time, and their thoughts on each other.
The Tokyo performances will run until May 9th (Saturday) at Tokyu Theatre Orb.
Following that, the Osaka performances will be held at Umeda Arts Theater Main Hall from May 21st (Thursday) to June 6th (Saturday). It has also been decided that some curtain calls during the Osaka performances will allow photography and commemorative stickers will be distributed at the opening.
For the 250th performance in Japan on May 6th (Wednesday, public holiday) at 5:30 PM, the photo spot at the theater entrance, which is set up during intermission and after the show, will be a special version!
Special Comments from Megumi Hamada (Mary Poppins) & Yusuke Onuki (Bert)
Regarding the 250th performance in Japan
* **Megumi Hamada**
Including auditions, I have been involved with this work for about 12 years, and it has become the role I have played the longest in my life. I didn't even realize it until I was told, and I'm very surprised. I have played roles many times before, but I feel Mary is the most familiar to me. When I'm on stage, there are times when I feel like myself and not myself, and I feel completely identified with her. Mr. Onuki and I have been performing together since the premiere, and we perform with a sense of security with each other.
* **Yusuke Onuki**
I truly feel like I've been involved with this work for a very long time. When I perform with Ms. Hamada, I feel an indescribable sense of security, like returning home, and I perform with a relaxed feeling. However, in the final scene, I feel a poignant sense of really saying goodbye. There are times when it's ambiguous whether that's acting or my own feelings, and I feel that I fit well with the role of Bert. I am grateful to have encountered such a role and this work where I can have such an experience.
Memories of the Audition
* **Megumi Hamada**
I had also seen performances in London, and when I auditioned, I thought it might be too difficult for me to play Mary. Now, I feel a strange connection, as if Mary came to capture me.
* **Yusuke Onuki**
For me, it was a life-changing event. A mentor-like figure told me, "Bert suits you, so you absolutely have to get it. If you don't pass, quit the agency." I challenged the audition with the determination that I absolutely had to pass. During the rehearsals for the premiere, I worked desperately, and now that I've performed many times, I feel a sense of destiny that I was meant to meet this work. I believe that my current self is definitely thanks to "Mary Poppins."
Memorable Incidents during Performances
* **Megumi Hamada**
During the very first preview performance of the premiere, when Mary was flying up at the end, the equipment stopped! While I was wondering what to do, a child in the audience who noticed it stopped shouted, "Go, Mary!" and I replied, "I'll do my best! But I've become reluctant to go home." After that, I sang "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and, with Bert who came out midway, we managed to get through it together.
* **Yusuke Onuki**
Similarly, it was an incident during the very first preview performance of the premiere. In the atmosphere where the whole theater was wondering what to do, I went out and said, "Mary, what are you doing?" While Mary was being rescued with other equipment, I danced to keep the audience's attention from focusing on the equipment. This accident made the staff from the original country trust us, thinking, "If these two are there, they'll solve any problem as Mary and Bert."
To the Fans who Love the Work
* **Megumi Hamada**
Eight years have passed since the premiere, and I feel that all the fans who have watched it, together with the cast and staff, have nurtured the musical "Mary Poppins." Both the audience and I may have experienced various changes over these eight years, but I hope to continue to cherish and nurture this work and perform its important message for a long time.
* **Yusuke Onuki**
In an era where AI and new things are increasingly emerging, I believe that analog human warmth and happiness, things that can be felt firsthand, will continue to remain and are necessary. That is why I want this work to continue without losing its core essence. I want to continue playing Bert, and I hope to perform each and every show as if a miracle can happen in every performance.
Osaka performances: Photography partially allowed during all curtain calls.