Packemin's Mary Poppins at Parramatta Riverside

This was glorious! http://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/packemin-productions-presents-mary-poppins-riverside-theatre-parramatta/ Packemin’s Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious production of MARY POPPINS is currently wowing ecstatic, cheering full houses at Parramatta Riverside. Bright, bold and colourful, it is an absolute treat. This show is the now-standard much loved Disney/Cameron Macintosh version, slightly amended/trimmed from the London version which was seen here at the Capitol several years ago now. Matthew Bourne’s choreography is not retained but rather altered and adapted by Camilla Jakimowicz. Yes there are still the allusions to his Swan Lake. Set in Edwardian times, the ever popular MARY POPPINS is based on the books by Australian author P.L.Travers, and narrates the tale of the rather dysfunctional Banks family, whose lives are changed completely and unexpectedly with the arrival of a new nanny, Mary Poppins. The Banks children, Michael and Jane, have rattled and disrupted a series of nannies of late. Will Mary Poppins be able to cope? Does she fulfill the selection criteria of both parents and children? You’ll have to see the show to discover what happens … It is an EPIC production with a GIGANTIC cast (perhaps rivaling Opera Australia’s Don Carlos with the number of people on stage, especially in the major show stopping mega- production numbers like Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Step in Time, both exuberantly performed and dazzling. The costumes for Supercal appear far more Strictly Ballroom in design than Edwardian, or perhaps they are escapees from Wicked? They are very exciting and colourful. I saw the ‘White’ cast of children .There are marvelous, visually impressive unfolding/sliding sets and excellent use of projections/back drops/technical effects. Penny McNamee is perfect as Mary Poppins. Looking stunning, with her iconic carpet bag and parrot umbrella, she has wonderful fun and sings and dances terrifically, weaving her spell over the audience. Crisp, elegant and extra super-efficient is she a magical being from another world, a wish fulfillment nanny? Shaun Rennie is in fine form as Bert, who acts as theatrical magician and narrator. He sings, acts, dances – and flies- up a storm and plays the part with enormous relish. His subtler, quieter moments are handled well and contrast delightfully with the big numbers such as Step in Time and Supercal. Order and precision are what are required by the actor playing Sam Banks, and Sam Moran, yes, the former yellow Wiggle, fits the bill well. Moran sympathetically develops his seemingly rather cold and wooden character to reveal the sad, torn, harried and stressed man inside in a splendid performance. His uncertain situation– facing a financial crash and unemployment– is still extremely relevant today. Beautiful Kate Maree Hoolihan is terrific as Mrs Banks, a picture of Edwardian loveliness . We see how her character grows stronger as she strives to save the rather stormy Banks marriage. The two children Jane and Michael were delightfully played by Stella Barahona and Brendan Godwin. Jessica Kelly has a whale of a time as the cook Mrs Brill and Michael Curtin is tremendous as clumsy, seemingly boneless Robertson Ay. Natalie Davis-Pratt as the Birdwoman gives a touching performance. Mention must also be made of the impressive performances of Joshua O’Connor as Valentine and Joe Howe as Neleus . Monique Lewis-Reynolds has a tremendous scene stealing time in Act 1 as Mrs Correy in red and gold for Supercal and a terrifying Beardsley black and white demonic ‘the Holy Terror ‘ a.k.a ‘The nastiest Nanny in the world ‘Miss Andrew (Brimstone and Treacle) moment in Act 2. The battle between her and Mary Poppins here is intense and operatic– in this production I was reminded of the battle between Caraboose and the Lilac Fairy in the ballet of Sleeping Beauty . Playing the Game and Feed the Birds are presented with a light touch, not quite as dark as they can be, and far less is made here of Neleus the Statue’s search for his father than usual. Nevertheless a simply splendid production that will have you singing along and dancing in the aisles. Some of the really little ones in the audience may find it too long and appeared restless midway through the second half. The musicianship of the orchestra under the dynamic baton of Peter Hayward is exemplary. In this show anything can happen if you let it ….There is theatrical magic at Cherry Tree Lane…. Running time 2 hours and 45 minutes with one interval. MARY POPPINS is playing the Riverside Theatre at Parramatta until 8th August. For more details about this show visit https://riversideparramatta.com.au/show/mary-poppins/