Verity Hunt-Ballard

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.