'OFFENSIVE' MUSICAL BANNED

BERLIN (Reuters) - German politicians condemned on Tuesday a decision by a Berlin music hall to cancel performances of "Mary Poppins over concerns they could enrage bankers and pose a financial risk.

The Deutsche Musiktheater in Berlin announced on Monday it was replacing four performances of "Mary Poppins scheduled for November with "Cats" and "The Phantom of the Opera.

The decision was taken after Berlin financial officials warned that putting on the musical as planned would present an "incalculable risk" for the financial security of the theatre through the cancellation of vital loans.

In the production, bankers are represented as rapacious and unscrupulous individuals, interested solely in the acquisition of capital at any cost ' including the corruption of minors.

The Deutsche Musiktheater decision precedes a much-hyped meeting on Monday between and representatives of the country's banking community to discuss ways to improve dialogue.

According to the Association of German Banks, there are some 2,400 banks in Germany, including commercial banks, Landes-banks, savings banks and credit co-operatives. Between them, they have played a significant role in maintaining Germany as a leading financial power in Europe.

A European culture spokesperson accused the Musiktheater of cowardice in the face of threats from the banking community. "It is a signal to other theatres, both in Germany and elsewhere in Europe, to put no works on their programs that criticize bankers, she said. "Where will this end?"