Sydney Day 2: Rainy Holiday with Manly and Mary

Twenty minutes before I have to leave to the theater. And I have to say that I am hyperactive. Quite funny, since I haven’t had a coffee, a red bull or a glass of alchohol. If I hadn’t changed into my evening gear yet, I would have probably taken a run around the hostel for a while. Safe to say that I am sort of going berserk ;).

I need some distraction for the next couple of minutes lol, so I thought it would be best to already write down what I did during the day. As planned, I got up early. I intented on taking the bus to Circular Quay. It was still rush hour though. And since my stomach doesn’t really like rush hour (= motion sickness), I walked to Circular Quay instead. Made it to the ferry to Manly on time. This ferry is awesome, it provides one with a stunning view of the Sydney Harbour (including of course the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House). Camera went click, click, click. So many pictures to be taken.

After arrival at Manly, I got myself a map of the Manly Scenic Walking Tour. For some extra fluids I bought a bottle of Vitamin Water at the Aldi (didn’t know they had Aldis in Australia :D). Now I was ready to start the 10km walk. Loved it, couldn’t believe that I was only a couple of km’s away from the big city. This walking tour really does provide one with some of the best things nature has to offer (beautiful trees, beaches, water, exotic looking animals). If any of you make it to Sydney in the not too distant future, do the Manly walking tour!!!

Pity though that it rained for almost half of the walk. I was well prepared though with my waterproof shoes and jacket. I passed some people who were just wearing shorts, tanktops and flipflops. Brrrr. When I got to the end point of the walk, it took me a while to find a bus back to the Sydney city center. I intended on crossing the Harbour Bridge by foot. Unfortunately, when the bus reached the Bridge, the rain intensified. I will do this particular walk when I return to Sydney in October (and when the weather is hopefully a bit better).

Before returning to the hostel, I did some shopping (groceries for dinner and one dvd not for dinner of course lol). Back at the hostel, I packed my suitcase, had dinner and took a shower. Oh wow, this surely is interesting information. Running out of inspiration.

And aahhh, it is finally Poppins time!! About to find out if the person who I am seeing this stupid (just kidding ;)) musical for is actually performing tonight. They weren’t able to tell me at the box office this afternoon.

It’s after twelve o'clock now in Sydney and I am still wide awake. Just came back from an amazing night at the Capitol Theater. All the great things critics and audiences have been saying about this show are correct. It is absolutely sensational, well worth the 11 month musical lay-off (the last musical I saw was The Addams Family on Broadway last year).

To start off with the Capitol Theater, it is one of the most beautiful theaters I have ever been in. The ceiling for example is stunning, it is full of stars (very appropriate for Mary Poppins). I also really liked the souvenir stand, they were particularly nice and elaborate at the Capitol Theater. Was tempted to buy a lot of stuff :). Really wanted the lovely pink t-shirt saying ‘Practically Perfect’, but I decided that I should buy that when I see the show again in October.

What I did buy was a magnet and a program. Of course I needed to know who was ON and who was NOT ;). Yes and Philip Quast played :P :D :). Some of the other leads were off though. Marina Prior (who plays Mrs. Banks in the musical, I actually wanted to see her most after Philip Quast, who is Mr. Banks) for example seems to have left the show either permanently or for a holiday.

More about the show. It is just so infectious, funny, joyful, moving. The score, which I know practically by heart, is marvelous (Supercal and Anything Can Happen were among my favorites). The orchestra did a wonderful job of bringing this entire score to ‘full bloom’. The sets and the customes are marvelous. And kudos to the many people working backstage to keep the show going. Well done!!

Some thoughts about the cast, which I have to say was stellar. From the smaller roles to the leading role, they all did such a wonderful job.

Here are some of the highlights.

The children that played Jane and Michael Banks were great, they seem to have a great future in (musical) theater ahead of them.

Matt Lee is a cheeky, charming Bert. He is originally a dancer. But he can act and sing too. I loved it when he tapdanced and sang upside down (really!) to Step of Time.

Verity Hunt-Ballard was rather inexperienced when she took on the role of Mary Poppins in July 2010. She quickly made the role her own though and won numerous awards for it. From what I have seen this evening, Hunt-Ballard is a stern, forbidding but good-hearted Mary Poppins with a golden voice (she reminds me somewhat of Julie Andrews, Mary Poppins in the movie). I totally understand why many people, even producer Cameron MacIntosh himself, believe that Hunt-Ballard is the best Poppins to date.

Pippa Grandison had the daunting task of replacing Marina Prior as Mrs. Banks. I liked her voice and she had some good chemistry going with Philip Quast. At times though, I could sense that she was still not totally at ease with the role. But I don’t think she has been playing the role for very long and she will definitely grow into it more. I mean I would be at least a little bit intimidated playing opposite Philip Quast lol.

And yes, Philip Quast is Mr. Banks to perfection :P. I think he has every award he possibly can for this role and very rightiously so. He portrays the transformation of Mr. Branks from a frustrated, distant father to a loving, caring father just so well. He is threatening at times, moving at others and very funny too. One scene in particular, towards the end of the musical, in which Mr. Banks does the Supercal dance is absolutely hysterical. It brought the house down. Alas, as Mr. Banks Philip Quast does not have that much to sing (it is more of an acting role than a singing role). But whenever he gets to sing, it is beautiful, he has a sensational voice.

After the show, the entire cast got a very well –deserved standing ovation.
They ended the performance with a catchy reprise of two of my favorite songs Supercal and Anything Can Happen.

When I left the theater it had, unfortunately, started raining again. Pouring rain this time. I decided that I didn’t really want to bother the actors too much. I mean, after two three hour shows in one day, I would be wanting to get home as soon as possible in this dreadful weather. I let them go. Yes, even Philip Quast :(. I was looking on from a distance (usually I would be standing much closer to the stage door) and I was tempted to call out to him. But I did not, this crazy kid from the Netherlands decided to leave him alone. I was also afraid that I would fall flat on my face if I had to run over to him ;). I was wearing (sort of) heals and I am not used to wearing those (especially not with the sidewalk being slippery through due to the rain). This is the fourth time I have seen Philip Quast on stage, and I have yet to have my picture taken with him. It is like some kind of curse lol or actually :(.

Hoping to have another opportunity in October, when I see het show for a second time (and perhaps a third, who knows :P).

It is getting late, time for bed, I am now sort of tired. Not sure what I will do tomorrow. Planning to go running in the morning , check out from the hostel and store my luggage. My flight to Hobart leaves at 5 pm, so I won’t be in a hurry to get to the airport. Since the weather forecast for tomorrow is quite awul, I might relax at the hostel and/or go to a museum.

Planning to report back to you tomorrow from Tassie!