MARY POPPINS HAS BEEN FOUND

Verity Hunt-Ballard from Adelaide has won the most hotly contested role in Australian theatre and play the world’s best loved nanny in the world’s Supercalifragilistic musical, Mary Poppins.

The announcement comes after an exhaustive search and almost 1000 auditions around Australia and New Zealand to find someone ‘practically perfect’. Verity is currently performing in Jersey Boys as Frankie Valli’s lover, and will start rehearsals for Mary Poppins with the rest of the cast in May.

Co-producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh today said, “Verity gave a tremendous audition – witty, charming, self-assured, with her own impish sense of fun… (She) is indeed practically perfect in every way.” Thomas Shumacher added, “All the waiting has paid off – we have finally found  the Mary that Australia deserves!”

Verity joins the all-star cast already announced for the Australian production: Matt Lee as Bert, Philip Quast as Mr George Banks, Marina Prior as Mrs Winifred Banks, Sally Anne Upton as Mrs Brill, Christopher Rickerby as Robertson Ay, Judi Connelli as Miss Andrew, David Henry as Admiral Boom, and Debra Byrne as The Bird Woman.

Mary Poppins is opening at Her Majesty’s Theatre in July this year. Read more about Mary Poppins, view our Mary Poppins hospitality functions, or book online now.

WHO WILL PLAY MARY?

The Australian Cast for Mary Poppins was announced overnight, with one notable exception! Who will play the lead role of Mary is still up in the air, and the search continues.

Speaking before the Los Angeles premiere of Mary Poppins, the co-producers Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher said their team had auditioned 20 possible Marys. “We have seen many talented people but not yet someone with the right chemistry,” Mackintosh said.

“We are willing to see anyone,” Schumacher said. “If anyone wants to send us a letter, or a CD or post a clip on YouTube, we will look at it.” The role, he said, was a little out of the ordinary. “If you think of Julie Andrews in the Disney movie you get an idea of what we’re looking for: a triple threat music theatre performer, someone with star quality, of course. But apart from singing and dancing and considerable acting ability, the role calls for that somewhat unconventional look, that elusive personality, that extra “magic” that connects with the audience and that is the essence of Mary Poppins.”

The all-star cast that has been announced include:

• Matt Lee as Bert
• Philip Quast as Mr George Banks
• Marina Prior as Mrs Winifred Banks
• Sally Anne Upton as Mrs Brill
• Christopher Rickerby as Robertson Ay
• Judi Connelli as Miss Andrew
• Debra Byrne as The Bird Woman

The children’s roles will be auditioned and announced next year.

Anyone interested in auditioning for the role of Mary in Brisbane, Perth and New Zealand should contact their agent, or visit http://www.disney.com.au/marypoppins/#/casting/ for role requirements and more casting information.

Read more about Mary Poppins, or buy tickets online now!