Charming and brimming with energy, the talented kids of The Young Australian Broadway Chorus shine in Mary Poppins Jr. On now in Melbourne for a limited season, this musical adaptation is based on the 1964 Disney film and the stories by P.L. Travers. A condensed, junior iteration, the show creates an airtight highlight reel of the best bits of the original and includes all the iconic songs. It doesn’t feel rushed despite fitting into a neat hour and a half run time.
I grew up watching the original Mary Poppins film over and over, and this production reignited my love for the story. The passion and commitment from the cast is inspiring and reminds me how fun it was growing up as a theatre kid. As the full ensemble comes out and fills the stage for dance numbers like Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Step in Time, you can feel the audience light up alongside the cast. Their joy is palpable and totally infectious to witness.
The calibre of talent on display here is really exciting. Compellingly portrayed, every cast member shines; not a single one missed a note or a line. This production really is practically perfect, with the next generation of Melbourne theatre in incredibly safe hands.
Alyssa Jandayan is a shining star and perfectly cast as the titular Mary. She embodies the effortlessness of the character, using her voice to match Mary’s playful nature, all the while hitting beautiful notes. Darcy Smith is a charming Bert. He nails the accent and has the character’s mannerisms down pat.
As Jane Banks, Niah McAllan-D’Brass’ voice sounds trained beyond her years. As Michael Banks, Louis De Luca’s comedic timing is impeccable. Given their young ages, I was really blown away.
Kat Dunshea is a real showstopper as the Bird Woman. With such an iconic song as Feed the Birds, and just like her cinematic counterpart, Dunshea creates a special moment you don’t see coming. Her voice soars, offering a delicate and moving portrayal of the Bird Woman that becomes a truly touching part of the story.
As George Banks, Perry Moon is a star in the making. He captures the emotion of the character’s journey and plays it up for comedy. In George’s breakthrough moment, Moon adds an almost Monty Python level of physical comedy, reminding me of a young John Cleese.
Neave McGeehan as Winifred Banks and Tayla Ely as Miss Andrew also captivate with their striking vocals.
The production takes on a scale I wasn’t expecting and was deeply impressed by. The sound mix sounds lovely, the staging is bright and inviting, even in the bank scenes. What ties all of these elements together is the costuming.
Costume and staging manager Jennifer Bismire has a brilliant eye. The costuming of the primary cast pays a perfect homage to the original. What I admire most is the details in each ensemble member’s costume. Visually striking, the bold colour palette of the source material is taken to the extreme and almost overwhelms the eye. But it’s done in a way that’s perfectly complementary to the scale of the dancers and actors on stage. From uniform suits to brightly coloured, spangled outfits, the costumes emphasise the magic of the story.
Mary Poppins Jr is a delightful rendition of a family classic, and it’s clear that The Young Australian Broadway Chorus is bursting with talent. Be sure to catch this unmissable production and support the bold and talented voices of the future of Australia’s performing arts scene.
Mary Poppins Jr is presented by the Young Australian Broadway Chorus and runs to 19 July at Cripps Centre. 217 Glen Eira Rd, St Kilda East Vic 3183.
Tickets: https://stageschool.com.au/shows/marypoppins-jr/
Website: https://stageschool.com.au/ and https://www.marypoppins-jr.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/stageschoolaustralia/
Photo credits: James Gillot
