The musical production of Mary Poppins exploded upon the Brisbane stage in early January and since has become one of the most talked about productions of 2012. The production has been referred to as a triumph of staging, design and talent, and I couldn’t agree more. As a song sung  earlier on [...]]]>

The musical production of Mary Poppins exploded upon the Brisbane stage in early January and since has become one of the most talked about productions of 2012. The production has been referred to as a triumph of staging, design and talent, and I couldn’t agree more. As a song sung  earlier on in the production says, Mary Poppins is practically perfect in every way.

If you’re expecting a re-hashing of the 1964 film, you will be pleasantly surprised. While most are familiar with the film, Mary Poppins first came to life though a series of children’s books written by Queensland-born P.L. Travers, and by combining these and the film upon which the musical is based, what results is a jaw dropping production that will leave you talking long after the curtain has been dropped.

Now those unfamiliar with Mary Poppins, it is the story of the dysfunctional Banks family, whose lives are forever changed by the arrival of magical and extremely efficient nanny Mary Poppins. She is joined by her chimney-sweeping friend, Bert, in the task of instructing the family towards better behaviour, thus leading to happiness. Mary Poppins shows the triumph of positive encouragement over fear and intimidation, but more importantly preaches the importance of looking past what you merely see to value the true goodness in people. How all this is brought to life is through a series of musical numbers (some bordering on the insane), and the stage design plays just an important role as the cast themselves. What results is something resembling an LSD trip with the only disappointment being when the show finishes.

In the performance that I attended, Mary Poppins was performed by Sarah Bakker, who in my opinion was perfectly cast, portraying the character with  exquisite elegance. Matt Lee who many will recognise from the judging panel on So You Think You Can Dance, won the 2011 Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Musical for the role of Bert, and when you see Lee push his singing and dancing skills while tap dancing and singing upside down on the roof,  it’s no surprise why he won such an award.

Former Playschool presenter Simon Burke stars as the troubled George Banks, and is accompanied by Pippa Grandison as the timid but beautiful Mrs Banks. The on stage chemistry between the two are beautiful and you really feel the struggle that the two characters go through. One determined to provide for his family while the other determined to be a loving mother and loyal wife. The precocious Jane and Michael Banks were played by Zoe Clarke and Jai Bofinger, while some might be quick to judge their abilities alongside such a more experienced cast, I do however believe these two performed to the best of their abilities and show a promising future in musical theatre.

Sally-Anne Upton as the voluptuous cook Mrs Brill, and Christopher Rickerby as bumbling servant Robertson Ay, are hilarious and steal nearly every scene they have.  Natalie Gamsu plays Miss Andrews, the nanny of every child’s nightmares. She plays the role with such ferocity, you can’t help but be a little terrified by her presence. Now that’s just the cast. I could on forever about the costume and set designs which are the results of the talented Bob Crowley, then again I could sum it up with one word, MAGICAL.

The costumes are both elaborate and gorgeous, and at times a jaw dropping. Then there is the the set, at first glance it’s all rather humble and a little charming and then in the next moment it explodes with life with such vicious complexity. No expense appears to have been spared in bringing the trippy universe of Mary Poppins to the stage.

From the talented cast to the enchanting set design to the marvellous choreography of the musical numbers, Mary Poppins is the must see production of 2012. Buy a ticket and set that little oppressed youth hidden within free.
You won’t be disappointed.

Mary Poppins is currently on at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC, until 17 March 2012. Tickets are $40 – $132.50 available through  www.qpac.com.au  or call 136 246.

Here in Australia we love our public holidays. Why? It’s always a a good excuse for a party and Australia Day is no exception, we just feel that little more patriotic! However in Queensland when there is a public holiday, Fluffy at Family throws one hell of a party called GLAM.  Harry [...]]]>

Here in Australia we love our public holidays. Why? It’s always a a good excuse for a party and Australia Day is no exception, we just feel that little more patriotic! However in Queensland when there is a public holiday, Fluffy at Family throws one hell of a party called GLAM.  Harry K the organiser of Fluffy has once again worked his magic for a massive lineup that is without a doubt one of the most anticipated parties this side of Summer.

This just in – iconic drag legend RuPaul is coming to Brisbane’s annual fundraiser Big Gay Day. Just this morning the Wickham let the cat out of the bag and officially announced that the drag diva will be making her grand debut at this year’s  Big Gay Day on March 12.

“The cat was [...]]]>

This just in – iconic drag legend RuPaul is coming to Brisbane’s annual fundraiser Big Gay Day. Just this morning the Wickham let the cat out of the bag and officially announced that the drag diva will be making her grand debut at this year’s  Big Gay Day on March 12.

“The cat was somewhat let out of the drag bag but we are still more than wetting pants excited to welcome the legendary RuPaul to BGD 2012.”

Currently the rest of the line-up for Brissie’s Big Gay Day is shrouded in mystery and rumour, but confirmed along with RuPaul is DJ Wayne G and the ever popular Mega Drag.

Each year Big Gay Day takes over the Wickham Hotel turning its surrounding streets into the biggest gay party of Fortitude Valley. This year entry is $35 with 25% of the door fee being donated to nominated LGBT charities.

With the announcement of such an iconic legend hitting Big Gay Day,  many are wondering who else will be making an appearance, so for now we wait with eager anticipation.

For future scops be sure to join the official Big Gay Day facebook page

Who else would you like to see added to this year’s line-up?

It has been seven years since the ban of same-sex marriage in Australia and tomorrow is the National Day Of Action, where all over Australia, Equal Love are holding same-sex marriage rallies to declare that seven years of marriage inequality is seven years too long!

So tomorrow I am urging each and every one of you [...]]]>

It has been seven years since the ban of same-sex marriage in Australia and tomorrow is the National Day Of Action, where all over Australia, Equal Love are holding same-sex marriage rallies to declare that seven years of marriage inequality is seven years too long!

So tomorrow I am urging each and every one of you to come along and tell the ALP to change the marriage act now. In the lead up to the ALP National Conference later this year it is vital that all members of the LGBT community and their supporters come out to support this rally. We live in a time where being stagnant is no longer a choice. The only way that equality can be found is demanding that our government must change the marriage act!

The Brisbane rally will be taking place at Queens Park (opp Treasury Casino) Brisbane City, there will be a list of guest speakers, and afterwards the rally will take to the streets to declare marriage equality.

So be sure to come along and join in the rally for marriage equality  on the very anniversary that took the simple human right of marriage from the LGBT community. It’s going be one heck of a day. So I’ll see you peeps there!

Saturday, August 13 · 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Queens Park (opp Treasury Casino) Brisbane City

And yours truly will be there as Glitter Jesus so be sure to come up and say hi!

Here are a list of the other rallies taking place in each state.

Melbourne Equal Love Rally and Mass Illegal Wedding

State Library of Victoria.

1:00pm – 4:00pm

Adelaide Equal Love Rally

Parliament House North Tce Adelaide

1:00pm – 3:00pm

Sydney Equal Love Rally

Town Hall (George St, City)

1:00pm – 3:00 pm

Perth Equal Love Rally

Forrest Place (CBD)

1:00pm- 3:00pm

Canberra Equal Love Rally

Petrie Plaza.

1:00pm – 3:00pm

Every now and then you attend a production that leaves you speechless.

Zen Zen Zo’s production of Cabaret, is one of those. Even though it’s been a few days since I saw the production, I’m still trying hard to think of the words that do it justice.

Cabaret is a wonderful and colourful musical centred around the [...]]]>

Every now and then you attend a production that leaves you speechless.

Zen Zen Zo’s production of Cabaret, is one of those. Even though it’s been a few days since I saw the production, I’m still trying hard to think of the words that do it justice.

Cabaret is a wonderful and colourful musical centred around the libertine Kit Kat Club of 1930’s Berlin, that has a dark undercurrent to the narrative. The events are foreshadowed by the subsequent reign of Nazi Germany which inevitably leads to the destruction of the cabaret underworld and the colourful characters that grace the Cabaret stage both on and off.

Now add the iconic musical with the amazing talents of the Zen Zen Zo physical theatre, and what you have is an intriguing re-interpretation, that leaves you captivated long after the curtains have been drawn. The Brechtian-styled production represents faithfully the lives of the main protagonists through narrative and song. Changes included boys in the Kit-Kat Club girls line-up, with sexual lines blurred, that add a tone to modern relevance.

Sandro Colarelli was magnificently cast in the Emcee role, portraying playful, sexual and menacing all with equal measure. He sang the opening Wilkommen stylishly dressed in his half black and white costume with a painted face, that I won’t deny was one of the most captivating opening sequences to a production that I had ever seen. His rendition of Tomorrow Belongs To Me just sent chills down my spine.

The attractive Matthew Hadgraft played the naive young American writer, Cliff Bradshaw, quite convincingly. While Zen Zen Zo members, Sam Plummer as Ernst, Jillian Geurts as Fraulein Schneider, Earl Kim as Herr Schultz and Krystal Hart as Fraulein Kost all gave solid, believable and show stealing performances.

Now some are probably wondering how was Emma Dean as Sally Bowles? I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed her take on the iconic character made famous by Liza Minelli. The girl brought her own interpretation of the character to the stage and made it her own.

With such a young cast, I was left utterly transfixed by the professionalism and talent that was displayed on stage. The one thing I found most brilliant about Zen Zen Zo’s Cababet was how as an audience it drew you in, rather then feeling like an onlooker, you felt part of the show.

This is a must see show, and a prime example of the amazing talent that Queensland is producing.

Zen Zen Zo’s Cabaret is performing at Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, South Bank, Brisbane.
Dates 4th to the 20th of August 2011.

[Review written for SameSame.com.au]