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It’s noon at Dance World studios in Melbourne and bright winter sun is streaming through the high windows. Pushed back against the walls are scenery flats of flower beds, an old fashioned lolly store counter, park benches, parasols and chimney brushes. If you’ve any lingering doubt as to which theatrical fantasy (or rehearsal room) you’ve stumbled into, the string of lettering stuck to the wall above the mirror will set you straight: SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS. It could only be Mary Poppins.
The cast shuffle in, bright and chatty in their rehearsal gear, and a stark contrast to the black-clad, stiletto-wearing media crowd ready to film the preview. After brief introductions, the cast literally burst into a vocal rendition of the famed ‘Supercali’, and, after only a week of rehearsing, are already sounding near perfect. The number ends, and with flawless comic timing Sally-Anne Upton (playing Mrs Brill in the show) exclaims “now it’s the media’s turn – let’s go!”
© 2010 Dance Informa Magazine