SPOONFUL OF MARY POPPINS
It is musical time again for Saint Stephen's College and this year it the family favourite classic Mary Poppins
YEAR 4, 5 and 6 students at Saint Stephen’s College are rehearsing their hearts out to make sure the stage presentation of Mary Poppins Jr is the perfect spoonful of medicine.
Students will act, sing and dance four shows in the Goda Firkins Auditorium.
Their effort comes with the knowledge the many tiring rehearsals and exhausting hours will prove to be worthwhile when the show opens on Wednesday, July 31.
Musical director and college music teacher Jai Schelbach said students had been rehearsing every Tuesday afternoon since the start of term one.
“The rehearsals are progressing well,” he said. “They did perform A Spoonful of Sugar for our recent college’s grandparents and special friends day,” he said.
“Many of the grandparents who attended this concert said they didn’t want the item to finish since it was so enjoyable.”
Mr Schelbach said ticket sales for the musical were selling quickly.
“This year we have added a Wednesday matinee to our Thursday and Friday evening performances as our previous musical was sold out months in advance,” he said.
“It’s been great to see our young cast of students who range in age from 9 to 12 years develop solid stage skills.”
All students involved participate in the musical in some capacity. For example, Year 4 students become park strollers, Year 5 students bank clerks and Year 6 students chimney sweeps.
Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins Jr is an enchanting combination of irresistible story, unforgettable songs and breathtaking dance numbers.
The musical was first put together by the Sherman Brothers in 2004 and has been performed around the world, winning multiple awards and earning its place as a popular pick for schools and community theatres.
The magical nanny Mary Poppins teaches family members how to value each other again, while taking the two children in her charge, Jane and Michael, on memorable adventures.
Her lesson is: “Anything can happen if you let it.”
So make sure to schedule the following dates in your calendar and come along to a magical night:
Wednesday, July 31 — matinee and evening show.
Thursday, August 1 — evening show.
Friday, August 2 — evening show.
The junior college musical is held every second year with the previous showstopper, Lion King Jr held in 2017.
In the past, junior college musicals have included The Lion King, the Rocky Monster Show, Monkey Business and No Strings Attached.
Senior college musicals are held in the alternate years.
All students regardless of experience are given the chance to be involed in stage performing, orchestra, backstage crew, makeup, tech team and front of house.
Many thanks and congratulations to the following members taking part in the performance: Cast: Mary Poppins, Monique Kelly;
Miss Andrew, Emma Riley;
Bert, Heidi Haywood;
George Banks, Andre Redelinghuys;
Winifred Banks, Bailey Stait-Gardner;
Jane Banks, Charlotte Wormald;
Michael Banks, Conor Wilkie; Robertson Ay, Jake Delmiguez; Bird Woman, Amelia Dunwoodie;
Von Hussler, Zak Patel;
Mrs Brill, Matilda Shepperd;
Mrs Correy, Tiana Cook;
Northbrook, Luke Oishi;
Chairman, Reece Kohler;
Katie Nanna, Jazz Hubbard;
Miss Smythe, Nata Tiyouri;
Policeman, Charlotte Hall;
Neleus, Kai Jermyn.