Birmingham launched my career - Patti Boulaye

Patti Boulaye won talent show New Faces in 1978

One of the stars of the touring production of Mary Poppins at the Birmingham Hippodrome has said she credits the city with launching her career 47 years ago.

Patti Boulaye won the ITV talent show New Faces in 1978, filmed at Birmingham's ATV studios. She triumphed with a perfect score, kick-starting a five-decade career in showbusiness.

The Nigerian-born singer said: "It's just wonderful, Birmingham sticks out for that reason, and to be back here with Mary Poppins, my gosh, it's a dream come true for me."

Boulaye plays the role of Bird Woman, a homeless woman who sells breadcrumbs on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral.

Patti Boulaye sings the song Feed the Birds alongside Stefanie Jones

She said: "I thought they'd never cast me, so I came [to the audition] in six-inch heels, looking as glamorous as I could. Somebody looked at me and thought, 'she'd look good in rags!'

"With the Bird Woman I decided to give her a story, because those bags of crumbs that she has are just a bag of blessings."

Australian singer Stefanie Jones said the role of Mary Poppins was a mixture of old and new

The touring production of Mary Poppins will spend five weeks at the Birmingham Hippodrome, and is expected to be the theatre's biggest revenue generator of the year, other than the annual Christmas pantomime.

Australian singers Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers play the lead roles of Mary and Bert, having previously performed the show in their homeland.

Ms Jones said: "The world over, Mary Poppins garners the same response from people, it's such a beloved story. The nostalgia is taken care of, and then I get to add my own flavour, which the creatives have been really encouraging of us doing."

The show takes the songs of the original Disney film and incorporates new music.

Chambers added: "We want people to come and hear the songs they love, but also hear some new stuff that keeps it fresh and interesting."

Mary Poppins is at the Birmingham Hippodrome until 23 August.