Sometimes it feels good to go back to an earlier, simpler time. Stories have the power to do this, and a great example of this is the musical MARY POPPINS, adapted from P.L Travers Mary Poppins children’s books, and first produced on the West End in 2004,
Travers portrayed a time when the old style middle class family unit was still in place. The father was the provider, the mother looked after things at home, the kids were spoilt and naughty, and an in house nanny was often employed to keep the kids in line.
Director James Powell takes us back in time with style and a lot of humour. His production is superb and lavish. Great sets constantly morph into other sets. This is a big production, superb and lavish. His creative team, too many to name, do exceptional work.
Powell wins good performances from his cast.
Tom Wren is wonderful as the father George Banks who goes on quite a journey through the play. At one point he thinks that he has lost his bank job with his role as the family’s provider falling into jeopardy.
Lucy Maunder impressed in the role of Winifred Banks, George’s dutiful wife who looks after the family and is the shoulder for George to cry on when he is stressed.
Chloe Delle-Vedove and Finn Walsham were great as the two naughty Banks children who Mary Poppins manages to ‘tame’.
Stefanie Jones is great as the pop in and pop out Mary Poppins, the the nanny who brings love and serenity into the family.
Jack Chambers was just tremendous as song and dance man Bert. His dancing, including some tap dancing, was just amazing. The show even. at one time saw him climb up the side of the stage and hang suspended from the top of the stage.
Nancye Hayes, one of the legends of Australian music theatre, was great as the Bird Woman, a character of great pathos.
Hannah Waterman is good in a mainly comical role as the Banks family’s stressed maid Clara Brill.
Chelsea Plumley is suitably mean and horrid as Miss Euphemia Andrew, who way back in the past was George’s nanny. At the height of her horribleness she sings the song ‘Brimstone and Treacle’.
the nanny, at one time George Banks’ nanny, who temporarily replaces Mary Poppins when pops away for a while.
Robert Grubb is good in two roles, as the kind hearted retired sea captain Admiral Boom and also the Chairman of the Bank in which George Banks works.
Gareth Isaac’s excels in the comic role of Robertson Ay, the Banks family’s clumsy, ever so awkward houseboy.
A talented large ensemble complete the cast.
The orchestra under the direction of Geoffrey Castles was outstanding.
Recommended, MARY POPPINS is playing the Lyric Theatre Sydney until 10 August 2022.
Production photography by Daniel Boud