While the city is in the throes of deciding a new major theatre, Operatic has made do with the Claudelands Arena, a modern flexible venue but one which was designed for sports events and exhibitions rather than theatre.
Nevertheless, the cavernous interior was cleverly arranged and augmented with a temporary proscenium arch to allow the needed flying scenes — including chimney sweep Bert, Ben Thomas, who walks up the wall and clean across the ceiling. Apart from a few comments about 'hard seats' the audience was so focused on the kaleidoscopic action on stage that only the fussy would concern themselves with the details.
The professionally-designed and built set is a wonder in itself, a two-storey cube that unfolds like a giant Victorian dolls' house and is worked back and forth by the stage hands as the scenes change.
Mary Poppins is well known for its music, catchy tunes including the whimsical Chim Chima Cher-ee, the mischievous A Spoon Full of Sugar and the riotous Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, will continue to go around in your head for days.
A live orchestra, led by Timothy Carpenter is established immediately below the stage and allows the audience to realise the association of music and on-stage action.
The cast is an interesting cross section of professionals drawn from the Waikato and further afield, and local amateur talent including many well-known faces.
Their performance backgrounds are extensive and startling.
Poppins is studded with impressive dance sequences handled by choreographer Sonja McGirr Garrett.
A grand piece of musical theatre in the genre of Oliver! and Annie with 19th century undertones of Gilbert and Sullivan and music hall, Operatic's Mary Poppins can be seen at the Claudelands Arena until December 9. Tickets from Ticketek.
