Emily and Benji

PUPILS at St Mark’s School in Holloway transformed into suffragettes and chimney sweeps for their summer production of Mary Poppins on Wednesday.

Benji, 11, who is playing Mary Poppins’ friend Bert said he was “excited” to perform: “It’s difficult playing a role of someone out on the streets and doing lots of different stuff. I’m not really like that.” He said Dick Van Dyke’s Cockney accent in the 1964 Disney film, was “OK” but added: “I can do better.”

Emily, 11, who plays the famous Edwardian nanny who descends from the sky, said she was “totally prepared” after playing lead roles in the school’s Christmas nativity and Easter service. “I like Mary Poppins, especially where she says that she never explains anything,” she added.

Deputy headteacher Matt Jones said: “I am so super excited. I’ve been at the school since 2010 and now I’ve seen nine different shows and these guys are just brilliant.”