Cameron Mackintosh and Disney are getting excited as their latest production MARY POPPINS is opening at the Sydney Lyric Theatre on 15 May 2022.
Performed by an exceptionally talented company of Australian performers, MARY POPPINS is led by the practically perfect Stefanie Jones in the title role. Joining her is triple-threat Jack Chambers (Singin’ In The Rain, Burn The Floor, Hairspray) as Bert and Australian musical theatre icon Nancye Hayes AM (Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady, Grey Gardens) as Bird Woman.
The dazzling principal cast is completed by Tom Wren as George Banks, Lucy Maunder as Winifred Banks, Hannah Waterman as Mrs Brill, Gareth Isaac as Robertson Ay, Robert Grubb as Chairman and Admiral Broom, Chelsea Plumley as Miss Andrew, Cherine Peck as Mrs Corry, Lisa Sontag as Miss Lark, Kade Hughes as Neleus, Stephen Anderson as Parkkeeper, and Andrew Broadbent as Policeman.
They are joined onstage by a brilliant ensemble Hayden Baum, Cara Bessey, Katrina Bickerton, Molly Bugeja, Emily Casey, Ed Deganos, Joshua Gordon, Kimberley Hodgson, Gareth Jacobs, Hollie James, Sebastian Johnston, Genevieve Kingsford, Zoe Komazec, Sasha Lian-Diniz, Noah Missell, Ellie Nunan, Max Patterson, Jamie Reisin, Taylor Scanlan, Jacob Steen, Patrick Whitbread, and Paul Whiteley, bringing the Australian company to a total of 36 performers. The cast will be joined by eight young performers sharing the roles of Jane and Michael Banks.
Speaking about the casting, co-creator Cameron Mackintosh shared “This joyful, beloved musical featuring the world’s favourite nanny, created by Australian Pamela Travers, demonstrates the importance of family like no other, especially in these parlous times. To create a piece of spectacular theatre like Mary Poppins you need a supercalifragilistically magic cast – and after a two-year search, we have found one. Absolutely Spit Spot! Mary will be flying high when we open in Sydney this May.”
The story of the beloved English Nanny was created by PL Travers in 1926, with her adventures on Cherry Tree Lane unfolding over eight books. With many of her characters inspired by people from her childhood, the Australian author was born in Maryborough, Queensland before moving to Bowral in New South Wales at a young age. Mary Poppins will fly into Sydney in May, ready to inspire a whole new generation with this truly magical adaptation.
The original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman include the classic songs Jolly Holiday, Step in Time, Feed the Birds and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. New songs and additional music are by the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Book is by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, and this production is co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. The producer for Disney Theatrical Productions is Thomas Schumacher.
This brand-new production of MARY POPPINS is produced in Australia by Cameron Mackintosh, The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand, and the Michael Cassel Group.
The Australian premiere of MARY POPPINS is supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.
MARY POPPINS
Sydney Lyric Theatre
From 15 May 2022
Tickets are currently available for performances to 17 July 2022.
For more ticketing information including a schedule of performances visit
http://marypoppinsmusical.com.au/tickets-venue-info
Featured image : Zizi Strallen, Charlie Stemp and Company in Mary Poppins – Photograph Johan Persson