Mary Poppins makes a sweeping statement

Saturday, 7th August 2010

Forget Disneyfied sentiment: this is a shining example of musical theatre, says Peter Craven

Who would have thought that Mary Poppins, that sackful of sugar Disney film musical of the early Sixties with Julie Andrews as the flying nanny would, in the hands of Richard Eyre and his collaborators, turn into one of the greatest pieces of musical theatre ever staged? Well, it has. I was amazed to think so when I saw the Cameron Mackintosh production in London with Laura Michelle Kelly in the title role in 2005, and this Australian production which opened at the Her Majesty’s last Thursday night confirms it. This is as good as anything that has ever been done with a musical. It’s not only as good as Moss Hart or Hal Prince at the height of their powers, it’s a production by which all others will be judged. And the Australian production with Verity Hunt-Ballard lustrous in the lead and a luxurious supporting cast that includes Marina Prior as Mrs Banks, Philip Quast as Mr Banks and Debra Byrne as the bird woman, is the hottest ticket in the commercial theatre at the moment. If you have business or pleasure planned in Melbourne and you have a taste for strict but sweet schoolmarms who soar through the air, umbrella in hand, chimney sweeps who tapdance upside down or a superb, credible duo of kids, pack your bags and take your family to this fantasia of Edwardian London.

The first night audience roared with delight and gave the show the kind of standing ovation that reminds you that a first-rate musical thrills everybody. And, yes, it was a crowd with famous faces, including former Neighbours star and pop singer Natalie Bassingthwaite, Premier John Brumby, fresh from the problem he had dumped on the desk of his former chief of staff Julia Gillard, and Sam Neill, bescarfed and elegant. Simon Phillips, the head of the Melbourne Theatre Company, who had just announced his retirement after a 12-year stint, had a ‘this is the life’ look on his face, perhaps contemplating his production of Priscilla opening on Broadway in a few months’ time. There was Julian Fellowes who wrote the book and Sir Cameron who had the idea and the Disney men who provided more of the dosh. Ray Gill of the Age was, as if true to period, dressed with the elegance of Freddie Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady. Jeanne Pratt, that great lover of musicals, was looking intent, and Ruby Rose glowed with slim beauty in the foyer. There were also appropriate hordes of kids –– notably from the families of Carla and Eddie McGuire and Jane Hall and Vince Colosimo.

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