reviewvancouver: Artsclub: Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins is a delightful production that makes you forget time and space and expect wonder. It is a magical performance that is perfect in so many ways. Kayla James as Mary Poppins plays her role as the beloved nanny with grace and charm. Young Glen Gordon as Michael Banks and Elizabeth Irving as Jane Banks show much talent and so does Milo Shandel as George Banks, the eccentric dad. All the actors did their part to make this play wonderful Christmas theatre for the whole family.

The set and props for each scene are artistically built. Alison Green (set designer) and Sheila White (costume designer) do a marvellous job of enhancing the play. Each scene makes the possibility of anything happening even more real as each scene moves so easily into the other. You can be a child again, feeding the birds, playing with kites and believing in miracles.

The costumes are beautifully designed and shine brilliantly particularly in the scenes where the cast sings “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “Chim Chim Cher-ee” with much gusto and dramatic dance. Popular songs such as “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Anything Can Happen” together with a talented Ensemble and Orchestra make the show enthralling and inspirational.

Flying over the rooftops with Mary Poppins was exhilarating. We left the theatre happy and excited with the possibility that life is magical and that anything can truly happen.