OBSERVER: Mary Poppins Jr


Emphatically presented by the Young Australian Broadway Chorus in the Cripps Centre, Caulfield Grammar School, Mary Poppins Jr was a theatrical highlight.
The company’s youth (18 and under) cohort have differing years of training and experience, yet the whole cast worked as one , particularly in the huge choral numbers like Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious .
It was nothing short of enchanting to see the old theatrical custom of flying in changing scenery for this magical show, and what scenes they were – an almost Hogwartsian great financial wizard’s hall, the Dickensian rooftop silhouettes in late sun colours and the park complete with the talking statue.
The balance of lights, sets, choreography and costumes were seamlessly complementary and balanced with the changing moods.
The chorus of over 70 were brilliantly re costumed (Jennifer Bismire, Lara White) in record time scene changes, and the choreography (Jacqui Green and Victoria Morris) was stylish but kept simple to allow for synchronicity considerate of the numbers, ages and skills
The 90-minute shortened Mary Poppins version (from book by Julian Fellowes) worked very successfully with all principal cast still having plenty of time to prove their talents (Mary – Alyssa Jandayan, Bert – Darcy Smith, Perry Moon and Neave McGeehan – Mr and Mrs Banks, Niah McAllan-D’Bras and Louis De Luca – Jane and Michael Banks )
Even with adult professionals, getting the sound mix correct can be uneven, but for this youth company, sound operator Marley Price deserves plenty of praise; speech and singing were always clear, even through Cockney accents and good arguments.
Well known title shows can bring extra fierce comparisons, but this show directed by Robert Coates with musical direction from Chelsea Plumley can hold its head very high in the knowledge that a standing ovation audience would agree with me.
The YABC is a division of Stage School Australia. This July season is now finished
Review by Maggie Morrison

Pictured: Alyssa Jandayan and Darcy Smith