|
She's been a long time coming, but finally everyone's favourite nanny, Mary Poppins, has blown into Sydeny? And she was well worth the wait.
This dazzling Cameron Mackintosh musical is nothing short of extraordinary - delightful in every way and flawless in its execution. It was a huge call for Mackintosh after a decade of negotiations with Mary Poppins author P. L. Travers and Disney finally brought the production to life in London in 2004.
But not a moment of magic is lost in the translation from film to stage; indeed, the effects are dizzying in their brilliance and cunning. Statues come to life, collapsed shelves spring back to form, Bert tap dances upside down and Mary takes flight in the blink of an eye, right before your eyes.
New songs enhance rather than detract from the wonderful familiarity of the other tunes we grew up with while a more convoluted plot simply fleshes out the storyline.
Rarely also does a musical carry such a strong cast. Verity Hunt-Ballard makes Poppins her on, with her wit and sense of mischief, Marina Prior is annoying yet inspiring as the dithering Mrs Banks, Philip Quast reveals the complex yet repressed Mr Banks and Matt Lee is delightfully jaunty as cockney Bert. Five children play the role of Jane and Michael Banks and Ashleigh Ross and Cameron Homes on opening night didn't miss a beat.
If you only have the budget for one family show this year, make it Mary Poppins.
© Manly Daily
