"Mary Poppins" is Poppin’ Off the Stage!
Review of Mary Poppins at The 5th Avenue Theatre
Written by TeenTix Newsroom writer ANJALI WALSH and edited by Teen Editorial Staff member KYLE GERSTEL
The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of the childhood classic Mary Poppins is “Practically Perfect” in every way. Running from November 21 to December 25, The 5th Avenue Theatre in the heart of Seattle has put forth their take on the beloved musical adaptation of the P. Travers books and 1964 film. Showcasing detailed set pieces and special effects, dramatic lighting and costumes, and fantastic actors, the work is able to fully immerse the audience into the world of magic while simultaneously pushing those watching to reflect on both personal and political issues.
Set in England in 1910, Mary Poppins depicts the story of the Banks family, consisting of parents George and Winifred Banks, and their two young children, Jane and Michael. Jane and Michael consistently drive off any nanny that comes to their household, leaving their parents at a loss for what to do with them. In a twist of luck, or perhaps fate, the magical Mary Poppins winds up at the Banks household, offering to take on the role of their nanny. Will her whimsical ways be enough to bring this family back together?
The production skillfully utilizes the scenery to make the audience suspend disbelief, losing themselves in the mystical world of Mary Poppins. The set pieces are masterfully crafted to contain even the smallest details, such as the Banks’ house containing ornate clocks, formal paintings, and organized furniture. This places the audience in the shoes of the Banks family, making them feel as though they are living there as well. The set pieces carefully paint the tone of the family, specifically the pressures they face to be clean, disciplined, and orderly individuals. Similarly, the special effects work to surround the audience with the universe of Mary Poppins by creating a freeing tone. Intricate contraptions were developed to create a sense of true magic for the audience, such as hidden harnessing that makes it seem as though Mary Poppins is truly flying, technical mechanisms to make Mary Poppins’ bag appear never-ending as she takes out larger and larger objects, and secret entrances and exits to allow characters to pop out (or “pop in”). This attention to detail truly makes the experience magical for the audience. In a sense, through these effects, they are experiencing the presence of Mary Poppins for themselves.
The production does an exquisite job of incorporating costuming and lighting to create contrasting tones that further develop the musical’s world. For example, the musical uses very elaborate period costumes to set the scene, and their colors vary widely. During scenes with Mary Poppins, the costumes are saturated, bright colors that truly spark a sense of energy for the audience. During scenes with George working at the bank, the costumes are all dark, creating a moodier sense of heaviness. This is complemented by the lighting, with neon, light colors like pink and blue being used for Mary Poppins, while darker colors like green and purple are used to create a sense of evil for the villains, such as Miss Andrews. These choices capture the attention of the audience while also subconsciously setting the mood of each scene.
Last, but not least, the production utilizes insanely talented actors, both for the main characters and the ensemble. Each performance was truly convincing. The voice of every actor involved was emotional and impactful to listen to, and the production showed off the diverse talents of each individual as well. There were moments of tap dancing, gymnastics, dancing in the aisles, and even ballet that showcased the brilliance of every cast member. The children that played Michael and Jane were impressive and incredibly convincing in their portrayals of the innocence that comes with their characters’ youth.
All of these factors came together to tell an engaging story throughout the musical, holding the audience’s attention through interactive moments of clapping along and comedic pauses. This ability to captivate the audience was key in driving home the messaging of the musical, which illustrates important lessons on our responsibility to look past class to help others, the importance of women’s rights in that time period, and the freedom of getting back in touch with our inner child. The production did an excellent job of initiating a sense of reflection on these issues for the audience.
The 5th did an outstanding job with this production of a musical that holds such a special place for so many, leaving one’s spirits feeling uplifted. The production enabled the audience to experience the freedom of returning to the innocence we lost after childhood—to let yourself believe in magic if only for a few hours—and to learn the wisdom of youth. Seeing the show was a guaranteed method to have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious night.
Lead photo: Maisie Marsh, Omry Macon, and Mallory Cooney King in Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin. Courtesy of The 5th Avenue Theatre.
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