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| Mary and Burt (Rachel Wallace & Case Dillard) [Photo by Deen Van Meer] |
Does this new stage adaptation manage to retain the timeless charm of the film? Joining me in this review are guest reviewers David Levitt and Steven Pugh.
MARY POPPINS THE MUSICAL
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
July 17 - 22
Tickets via [Ticketmaster]
What was your favourite scene in the musical?
Filipina: The first scene in the nursery when Mary first starts pulling things out of her bag! I'm all about that bag, I've always wanted one. There was so much subtle stage magic going on in that scene. It keeps going throughout the show, but that scene was the one that really made me go, "What?! How did they do that?"
David: I really liked the part in Supercalifragilistic when they drop down the big curtain and Burt keeps dancing with all the dancers. The vocals were great, the dancing was fluid and I liked the energy. It was overall a great scene.
Steven: My favourite scene would have to be the transition to the park scene for its great flair of whimsy and fun. Mary was in a sweet, hot-pink coat with matching bloomers! Loved it!
Scene that could've been improved?
Steven: In Feed the Birds - there are no birds! Not even one! I felt they started it off great and it was well done, but at least when the boy starts to feed the birds they should have at least one darn pigeon! My ideal thoughts would've been perhaps a net with a flock of birds attached to it to fly by so it looks like they flew out of the church. Even lighting silhouettes would do. Any sort of bird. It just seemed odd that the old woman was feeding invisible birds.
Filipina: I had mixed feelings about Shooting Star, which is the song they sing at the end. I'm all about Starry Nights, but that scene felt a little too simple. It didn't really fit with the storybook-style visuals of the rest of the show. I still don't know what was up with the giant umbrella!
Were there any actors that stood out?
David: I thought that Q Smith's portrayal of Miss Andrew was really dark, soulful, and truthful. She really was the opposite of Mary Poppins. It highlighted the fact that she was a really rotten person and a terrible nanny.
Filipina: I thought that Rachel Wallace was perfectly cast in the role of Mary. She was the figure of utter confidence, and really gave off the impression that she really was "practically perfect in every way!" On that note, her singing voice had an absolute clarity and amazing diction that hopefully finds its way into an album real soon!
Steven: Rachel Wallace, Mary Poppins herself, did a fantastic job at the mood, stature, tone, and everything Poppins'esque.
Why is Mary Poppins still relevant for today's audiences?
Filipina: At its core, the story of Mary Poppins is about family. It's about getting through difficult times together and showing that you appreciate one another in healthy, loving ways. We're still going through quite difficult economic times today, so I'm sure this particular retelling will resonate with many families out there. The story is a bit darker than the film, but I think that makes it all the more relevant.
David: This a story that parents would've grown up with and now they can share this story with their own children. I think society today has lost its touch with childcare, and some kids are really getting spoiled. Bringing them to a show like this could help educate kids and their parents.
Favourite magic trick or moment from the show?
David: When Burt pulls out a bouquet of flowers from a painting
Steven: The set set-up near the end. I love how they achieved a zolly camera effect during the wife's solo - except it was all staging, not an actual camera. It was very impressive.
Filipina: I love the introduction to Cherry Tree Lane. The whole house opens up like a giant pop-up book that spans the entire stage. And as with the wife's solo, they use the house for all sorts of whimsical stage effects.
Favourite use of colors in the show?
Steven: I loved the costumes. Even just the brilliant colours of coats that Mary goes through (black, white maid's outfit, blue, pink, red, purple, and possibly more). It was marvellous! I loved it! The actors carried themselves very well throughout and looked dashing.
Filipina: The makeups for Supercalifragilistic were very fun makeups. Like circus meets avante garde. The energy in that number was very goofy. You just had to smile watching it.
David: The colder colors that they used for Chim Chim Cher-ee really worked for that scene. That scene was really cool, especially when Burt walks up the wall and dances upside down.
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| A Jolly Holiday! [Photo by Dan Ver Meer] |
Worth seeing? Definitely!
Posted by Filipina Colada
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