Mary Poppins

A blog by @mircwalsh

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins

stars

Wednesday June 10. 8pm

New Amsterdam Theatre, 214 W42st New York.

Based on P.L. Travers cherished stories and the original 1960’s Disney film Mary Poppins on Broadway is practically perfect in every way. The story sticks to the much loved original tale. However, despite its predicitablilty there are suprises and shocks in store that will have audiences of all ages on the edge of their seats.

Staring in the lead as Mary Poppins Scarlett Strallen wows audiences with her vocal ability and smooth moves. Making magic with her bag and umbrella she caputures the audiences attention. However there is that sense of her being a supernany like Jo Frost off those tv shows that was not present in the original Disney movie. At times she appears evil summoning the toys to teach the kids a lesson whereas in other scenes her mood is light and uplifting as she goes on that jolly holiday. Mary-Poppins-Broadway-4-web

Adam Fiorentino plays the part of Bert and his character is not far from the original played by Dick Van Dyke. As a chimney sweep he whistles the days away while taking the odd break to dance on the roof top. One thing has to be said however that guy has guts for doing the magical walk high up on the proscenium. An act which left almost every member of the audience on the edge of their seats.

Other parts played included Daniel Jenkins and Rebecca Luker as Mr and Mrs banks and Kelsey Fowler and Zach Rand who play the troublesome Banks kids.

The set is fantastically detailed with a full size house that moves up and down as needed as well as extra sets including a full size roof top, a bedroom  and a park which come and go as needed. The set is amazingly true to life with props and colors as well as a fully functional stair case.

The music brings the story to life with songs of new and old. Composed by the score includes old favourites such as “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious ” and “Chim Chim Cher-ee as well as new songs “Temper, Temper” and “Brimstone and Treacle”. HO

The costumes were equally spectacular from caputuring the traditional dress of Ms Poppins to adding life size cakes onto the dresses of dancers in the candy store scene.

Throughout the show there were acts of magic from Mary Poppins bag to the letter magically flying up the chimney. Acts which even as an adult it is hard to decipher how exactly do they do it.

Mary Poppins brings the young on an exciting new adventure while older viewers are given a taste of childhood nostalgia.

AFTER THE SHOW

After the show all members of the staff were at the stage door. Beginning with the two kids who were keen to talk about the new Harry Potter film then the Mr and Mrs Banks and finally Mary Poppins and Bert.

VIDEO CLIPS

A chat with Mary Poppins

Behind the scenes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL3pLv2OdrM