Mary Poppins

It’s becoming a tradition on the Mornington Peninsula….end the old year with a spectacular PLOS production, and Mary Poppins is certainly that – a delightful musical that offers the best of the 1964 Disney film married with additional music (not quite up to the standard of The Sherman Brothers) and with a book by Downton Abbey’s Julian Fellowes. Essentially it’s the story of the Banks Family, which may be why the PLOS family tells it so beautifully.

Karl McNamara is a stylish director with a deep understanding of the material and a child within him that wants to share magic with the entire audience. Thus, it wasn’t just the children who gasped when Mary flew across the auditorium….and then off- stage in a totally different direction; or when the white pigeons fluttered down for “Feed The Birds”; or when not just one, but ALL, of the Kites flew in the park. Then there was the beautiful projected front cloth with pages of the book, which Bert turned. The stage projection worked perfectly and McNamara and his team truly did offer magic, not least in some stunning performances.

Nadia Gianninotti was a sensual Morticia Adams for PLOS at the same time last year – but now she is the strait-laced, full soprano Mary, singing and dancing live with great energy. If there’s a fault at all (and it’s a big IF) it’s that the Director has mistaken reserved aloofness (so much a part of England’s class system) with harshness, and it’s particularly true of Mary and of Mister Banks – played by Danny Ginsberg, himself an amazing director for PLOS. I would have liked a little more underlying warmth and charm in both cases, but it’s a small niggle only.

Andrew Perry is terrific as “Jack of all trades” Bert. Far from the long and lithe Dick Van Dyke, Perry initially looks a little too rounded for Bert as we know him, but he dances beautifully, sings like a dream and has great stage presence. He’s supported by a terrific ensemble of singers and dancers and it’s not surprising that the big production numbers, especially the protracted “Step In Time”, brought the audience to its feet…. brilliantly executed crowd-pleasing entertainment. Steve Rostron’s choreography is not easy, particularly co-ordinating feet with difficult hand movements, but it was perfected by the entire cast, and boy is it showy!

The Banks children themselves were sheer delight, and as good as juvenile performers get. Felicity Bertram brought just the right edge of rebellion to Jane and Lenny Thomas is a star…. a pint sized Michael Banks who is already a triple threat.

Janet Reid is a comedy treat as Mrs Brill, ably abetted by Aidan Niarros (who must check his tendency to go OTT) and Stefania Gatt, while Liz Catford was a marvellously witch-like Miss Andrew, capable of scaring any child half to death. Lauren Elise was perfectly cast as Mrs Banks, warm and endearing yet with inner strength, and Brett Wingfield and his wardrobe department brought us a splendid array of colourful costumes, with Brett ‘s designs augmenting Vicki Horne’s originals.

In truth, even the smallest role was beautifully played (Shirley Bowen brought both dignity and poignancy to the Bird Woman) but special kudos to Daragh Wills as the Park Keeper. Last seen in the multi award winning Legally Blonde, he owns the stage whenever he appears, with great comic timing and sheer presence.

Jason Lord’s lighting design is simply sublime, Marcello LoRicco, Steve Cooke’s sound is more than stunning and Chris White’s original set design is augmented by the amazing Mike Fletcher, who brings so much to every production (he even takes the photographs). Sue Fletcher excels as Musical Director of the great sixteen piece band.

How PLOS manages to give us productions of this outstanding quality with such limited runs is a mystery to most, myself included. Let’s just be glad that this company functions like a close-knit family who are totally in synch. As Mary would say – this latest offering is “Practically Perfect”.

Coral Drouyn

Photographer: Mike Fletcher