Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Along with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Wizard of Oz and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Mary Poppins was one of the favorite viewing experiences of my childhood.

The magic and wonder of the original story comes alive on stage in Mary Poppins, which opened recently at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne.
I was lucky enough to attend a preview performance of this new show.
Heading up the cast was Verity-Hunt Ballard (pictured here with Matt Lee as Bert), whose faultless voice and warm and confident stage presence made her an ideal Mary Poppins.

She made the role her own, marrying the practical with the magical.

One of the highlights of the show was the performance of Matt Lee.

Best known as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, he demonstrated that he could walk the walk as well as talk the talk.

His was a faultless and athletic dance performance – including tap dancing suspended upside down – and he brought a cheery and energetic personality to the role which never faltered.

Jane and Michael Banks, played at the performance I attended by Victoria Borcsok and Callum Hawthorne, struck the right balance of cheekiness and affection.

The ensemble cast were a virtual who’s who of Australian musical theatre, including Marina Prior as Mrs Banks, Philip Quast as Mrs Banks, and Debra Byrne as the poignant Bird Lady.

Christopher Rickerby and Sally-Anne Upton were scene stealers as Banks family servants Robertson Ay and Mrs Brill.

The highly detailed costumes were a joy to behold, and the sets popped with color and vibrancy.

There are many show stopping moments, including Mary flying and fixing rooms with magic.

The show exhibits creativity by melding the best of the unforgettable movie with the more detailed scenarios and characters from PL Travers’ books.

Tickets are available through Ticketek (1300 555 593) or for more information see the website at www.marypoppinsthemusical.com.au.

Theatre overload

Well, it's getting into theatre season again.


I indulged my love of theatre photography a few days ago by photographing a dress rehearsal of the local Catholic school's production of Grease, happening this weekend. Will be seeing the show itself tomorrow night, which should be fun.


This Sunday will see me heading down to Melbourne to catch a preview of Mary Poppins, as well as making time to catch the Tim Burton exhibition at ACMI in Federation Square. All told, it should be a well rounded, artsy day!

Monday will see me audition for a role in Allegro Theatre Company's next production, Blackadder. Am not sure how I'll go but the more auditions I do, the less nervous I will get each time - at least that's the theory.

Next week I will be photographing Benalla Theatre Company's next production, White Christmas (see poster). That production is opening soon and I encourage theatre lovers to head along.

It's always nice to check out an old school musical, though I have no familiarity with this show
other than the title song! Will try to post a pic or two here.

All in all, the local theatre scene is bubbling along nicely.

Join Blackadder production

THOSE wishing to participate in some local theatre in North East Victoria are being invited to an information day for Yarrawonga group Allegro Theatre Company’s next production, Blackadder Goes Forth, this Sunday, July 18.

The production follows the adventures of Blackadder and his cronies as they experience life in the trenches during WW1 and is due to be performed in late October.

The information day will take place from 2pm at the Senior Study Centre, Yarrawonga Secondary College, Pinniger Street, Yarrawonga.

Auditions for the show will be held on July 25 from 2-7pm and July 26 from 6-9.30pm at the same location.

Those who cannot make the information day are advised to contact Miguel DeOliveira for an audition time on 0431 171863.

i see you shiver with antici......pation.

I have to admit, I am really excited at the moment about all the excellent theatre that I will be able to see and be involved in over the next few months.
Locally, the theatre group I am involved in, Allegro, will be staging a production of the classic comedy, Blackadder Goes Forth, sure to be a must see for comedy fans.
Elsewhere, my good friends at Albury Wodonga Theatre Company are involved in staging a "pro-am" production of a new stage musical based on the movie Strange Bedfellows, which is already starring such high profile Australians such as John Woods, Peter Cousens and Colette Mann. Both of the above shows will be opening in late October and are sure to draw huge crowds to local theatre.
Wangaratta Players, meanwhile, will be staging the taut drama 12 Angry Jurors in the next few months, while Benalla Theatre Company will put on a production of White Christmas at the end of July.
And that's just local amateur theatre!
As if that wasn't enough, a host of irresistible shows will be staged in Melbourne in coming months.
I will be heading along to the Melbourne production of Mary Poppins in a few weeks, and am keen to see how it translates to the stage, and am especially curious to see Matt Lee performing on stage as Bert!
I am also keen to see the revival of West Side Story this winter, as I have never been lucky enough to see it on stage, just the movie...
Of course, the show I am looking forward to the most is Hairspray. I have loved it since seeing the movie, even to the point of dressing up as Tracey Turnblad for a friend's costume party! If only I had a stronger voice, it'd be a part I'd love to play.
This weekend, I had my first free weekend in months, and spent some time catching up on my video of this year's Tony Awards, which were screened here in Australia in mid June.
As always, the awards were an intriguing snapshot into current theatrical hits and trends in America, and possibly a sneak peek into what might soon grace Australian stages.
For me, one of the highlights of the night (being a Glee fan) was seeing Glee stars (and Broadway veterans) Matt Morrison and Lea Michele getting to strut their stuff on stage.
Matthew had an old-school song and dance number, "All I Need Is The Girl" from Gypsy, and Lea busted out "Don't Rain On My Parade" from Funny Girl. Nice.
Sean Hayes was an affable host, although I really wished Neil Patrick Harris was hosting again.
I wasn't too sure about most of the new musicals shown - although Million Dollar Quartet seemed interesting, showcasing the music of Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis and Carl Perkins, and Everyday Rapture looked to have an interesting storyline.
The revival of La Cage Aux Folles, with Kelsey Grammer in the lead, also looked like a lot of fun, and that show has some classic tunes.
Out of the shows that got an airing on the night, I would most like to see Green Day's American Idiot. It's my generation's rock music, and seems to have a "Rent-esque" feel to it...I'm betting it will make its way to Australia in the next few years.
Anyway, dear reader, I'll leave you with that long and rambling entry..au revoir.