TAKE a child to see Mary Poppins — that’s the advice of the show’s producer and director, Douglas Kamo.
It was after taking his then 4-year-old daughter to see the extravagant production in Auckland a few years ago that the veteran Dunedin producer knew he wanted to put the show on in Dunedin.
‘‘I’d seen it in London a few years earlier, and knew I wanted to take her,’’ he says. ‘‘I sat there with very different eyes, watching my daughter. I’d certainly encourage anyone coming to the Dunedin show to bring a child with you, because you’ll see it through their eyes.’’
The Disney and Cameron Mackintosh Mary Poppins has been a massive hit on Broadway in New York and London’s West End, and the Auckland shows in 2012 were the biggest-grossing ever at the box office.
The Dunedin show is the product of Taieri Musical and DKCM Ltd, which in recent years have brought Dunedin audiences the hugely popular Grease: The Arena Spectacular LIVE! and Mamma Mia!.
‘‘It’s classic Disney,’’ Kamo says. ‘‘It’s a massive show, it’s big technically, and big in terms of ensemble numbers; it’s got everything.’’
Because some audience members will have seen the show elsewhere, he says there is an expectation that the most spectacular tricks and effects will be featured.
Having contracted the same company that did the original West End and Broadway productions, those important parts of the show will certainly be delivered to Dunedin audiences.
But perhaps the most notable aspect of Mary Poppins is that the entire cast and crew are Dunedin locals, and they’re also all volunteers.
Kamo says that’s a reflection of the talent available in the city now, that’s been built over the past five years through the consistent production of quality musical theatre.
‘‘We’re thrilled we’ve been able to do it locally,’’ he says. ‘‘We’ve built this high standard of performance. With it comes a sense of responsibility to continue to do that, so we have to make sure we’ve got the best cast and the best creative team.’’
Nadya Shaw Bennett is already well known to Dunedin audiences, and perfect for the lead role.
‘‘She was born with a carpet bag and an umbrella really,’’ Kamo says. ‘‘She’s beautiful as Mary Poppins and we’re looking forward to watching her flourish when she gets on the stage.’’
Evan Fenemor plays Bert, with both he and Shaw Bennett playing roles opposite each other in Kavanagh College productions.
Greg MacLeod plays George Banks, Kelly Hocking his wife, Winifred, while a talented group of youngsters, including Lucas McLeod, Grace Johnston, Joseph Kelly, and Samantha McCormick, play their children.
‘‘I think there’s a misconception in terms of stage time that it’s Mary’s show,’’ Kamo says. ‘‘But it’s the kids that have more stage time than any of the other principal characters. It’s a fantastic calibre of local people we’ve been able to cast — all the principal characters are the cream of Dunedin musical theatre.’’
They’ve been working hard to get Mary Poppins to the highest possible standard, with 15 weeks of rehearsals. Last week’s rehearsals in the Regent Theatre were going so well, the cast and crew were even allowed a night off. It was well deserved, with some huge hours having gone into the show in recent weeks.
After those weeks of rehearsal, the cast is vocally and physically fit enough to deliver the likes of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, A Spoonful of Sugar, and Feed the Birds with conviction across 10 shows in as many days.
Without the help of local business sponsors, partners, and funding organisations, the show wouldn’t be possible. The team behind Mary Poppins would like to thank them, and the large number of volunteers involved.
They can’t wait to bring the spectacular show to Dunedin audiences over the next two weeks.
‘‘Mary Poppins is a very expensive production for us to stage, but it is a favourite,’’ Kamo says. ‘‘It was certainly in my psyche, in my childhood, and it is in my children’s and my friends’ children’s psyches.’’
Mary Poppins: Regent Theatre; 7.30pm, May 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27; 4pm, May 21; 2pm, May 27. (Show is approximately two hours and 40 minutes long, with one 20-minute intermission.)
