‘Mary Poppins The Musical’ continues to sprinkle magic across Australia as it lands in Melbourne, at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
'Mary Poppins The Musical' is Disney at its most enchanting. It's a practically perfect way to escape the noise that the outside world constantly seems to be making, presenting its audience with colour, extravagance, and more.
The iconic Cherry Tree Lane house, perhaps the most impressive set piece in the show, folds open and closed like a gigantic dollhouse, providing a sense of childlike whimsy throughout. Set changes are swift and clean, the story moving along at a pace that keeps the intrigue at a peak.
There's not a single flaw in the casting of 'Mary Poppins The Musical'. . . As with any show, each actor (principal and ensemble) plays an incredibly important role in bringing the story together, and 'Mary Poppins' feels so full of heart, love, and commitment from everyone on stage.
George and Winifred Banks, played by Tom Wren and Lucy Maunder respectively, convincingly portray two parents in two very different places – one buried in his work and the other trying to do the best she can to maintain family values. Songs like 'A Man Has Dreams' and the heartfelt 'Being Mrs Banks' are highlights from these two.
Stage royalty Marina Prior is doubly entertaining in two very different roles – the Bird Woman (‘Feed The Birds’) and Miss Andrew (‘Brimstone And Treacle’). . . Tapping into a beautiful fragility followed by bewitching and comedic cruelty respectively. Marina proved (as she does time and again) that she’s well and truly up for the task.
Image © Daniel Boud
Children Michael (Sebastian Sero) and Jane (Harriet Alder) Banks just blow the audience away. It's always such a treat to see young actors and actresses in such huge productions, never missing a single beat – Sebastian and Harriet's futures in showbusiness look bright. Sebastian nails a particularly heartfelt moment between Michael and Mary Poppins toward the end of the show – a moment which has more than likely provoked a theatre-wide ‘aww’ at every performance.
Jack Chambers is infectiously kind and energetic as Bert. . . His presence on stage always a guarantee of total and utter joy. Oh, and his chemistry with Mary Poppins is gorgeous.
Stefanie Jones is nothing short of extraordinary as the production's titular character. It's almost as though this character was written for Stefanie – as an observing audience member, each movement and each line feels so completely natural, and there's an element of pure escapism in her portrayal – something that feels as though you've been transported to a different time. 'Practically Perfect' with Fraser and Dorothea is wondrous, and a real signifier of how the rest of the performance will be.
Of course, being a Disney production, 'Mary Poppins The Musical' is almost outrageous in its extravagance and splendour. There are sprinkles of that classic Disney 'how did that happen?!' stage magic throughout the entire show, huge musical numbers, towering set pieces, and an unmistakeable charm. And, while charm surely exists in musicals and theatre shows aplenty, you truly cannot beat the enchantment of a Disney show.
A dynamic, delightful adventure filled with wonder at every turn, 'Mary Poppins The Musical' is a spoonful of sugar so soul-warming that it'll be hard not to line up for a second serving.
★★★★★
