Review by Markus Hamence – Performance date: Saturday 09 August 2025. Cast One. The Queens Theatre, Adelaide, South Australia
Mary Poppins at the Queens Theatre – Scotch College Adelaide’s Practically Perfect Production
If you thought school musicals were all cardboard backdrops and awkward pauses, think again. Scotch College Adelaide has swooped into the Queens Theatre with Mary Poppins and delivered a production so polished it could give the West End a run for its money – albeit with a little more youthful mischief and homegrown charm. Produced by Nicola Triglau and Directed by Melissa Sheldon and Stephanie Thompson (also choreographer), the team are slick and know the job well. Make no mistake, this is great world-class tight theatre. But, read on as I get deeper…
“the team are slick and know the job well. Make no mistake, this is great world-class tight theatre…” – Markus Hamence
This certainly isn’t just a school putting on a show. This is a student-led extravaganza brimming with colour, choreography, and creativity that makes you forget these are teenagers juggling homework and rehearsals.
The Magic of Cherry Tree Lane
The Queens Theatre – Australia’s oldest mainland theatre – already drips with history, but add in the crisp Edwardian stylings of Cherry Tree Lane and suddenly you’re walking straight into the storybook. Set design is clever, layered, and full of little Easter eggs for eagle-eyed fans.
Mary’s entrance is handled with the respect that earns applause, and when she eventually takes flight later? Oh yes, you feel the audience collectively sit forward, gasping and grinning like children on Christmas morning. Bert gets his own airborne moment too, tapping his way quite literally above our heads – a feat that tells you this production is not playing it safe.
The Cast: More Than Just ‘School Performers’
What really anchors this show is the calibre of performances. Our Mary (played with equal parts poise and sparkle by Georgia Polischko) commands the stage without a hint of nerves, her crisp vocals and unflappable charm hitting the sweet spot between Julie Andrews nostalgia and a fresh, youthful energy.
“(Sebastian Cox) This lad is a star in the making and is being noticed. Watched this space. BIG things are to come…” – Markus Hamence
Sebastian Cox as Bert is cheeky, confident, nimble, and radiates charisma from the first “Oi!” to the last bow. This lad is a star in the making and is being noticed. Watched this space. BIG things are to come.
The Banks (William Jarvis and Clementine Launay) portrayed their characters with an energy that had depth and respect to the role, bringing the emotion that is required.
The Banks children (Olivia Adcock and Poppy Warren), often a tricky pair to get right, manage to be endearingly mischievous without veering into brat territory – quite the balancing act.
Miss Andrews, the menacing nanny, is delightfully wicked and played by Eleanor Driver, the confidence and strength taking on this character was obvious and necessary as this is a big moment to the storyline.
And let’s not forget the ensemble: from chimney sweeps to park-goers, every performer brings a sense of purpose and personality to their moment on stage.
Cast 2 mentions:
Mary Poppins – Lucy Stirling and Bert – Asher Gordon
Mr and Mrs Banks – Harry Geary and Grace Pennell
The Banks Children – Zoe Windle and Poppy Warren
Miss Andrews – Charlotte Venning
“(Georgia Polischko) commands the stage without a hint of nerves…”
– Markus Hamence
Musical Moments Worth the Ticket Price Alone
If you came for the tunes, you’re in luck. ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’ sparkles with inventive staging and clever prop work, while ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ is a dizzying, joyful tongue-twister that had half the audience mouthing along.
But the standout? ‘Step in Time’, This high-energy number turns the stage into a foot-stomping chimney-top playground, complete with a tap sequence that feels like a theatrical adrenaline rush. The live music direction keeps everything tight, with just enough swing to make it feel alive rather than overly rehearsed.
Under the assured direction of musical maestro Martin Cheney, the live band for was nothing short of spectacular. Tucked neatly to the right of stage, Cheney’s ensemble delivered a lush, vibrant score that wrapped around the audience like a warm London fog. Every note was crisp, every swell perfectly timed, bringing out the whimsy, magic, and emotional depth of the production. Cheney’s seasoned touch ensured that tempos matched the actors’ energy, and the transitions between scenes were seamless – making the music feel like a living, breathing character in its own right. It was a polished, professional sound that lifted the show from school production to theatrical knockout. The full band reveal from behind the back drapes at encore was a great addition.
More Than Nostalgia, it’s a Production with Heart
The danger with Mary Poppins is leaning too hard into the ‘look how quaint’ territory. Scotch College avoids that trap entirely. This isn’t just a glossy recreation – it’s a story told with sincerity and heart.
There’s a lovely emphasis on the emotional beats: the tension between Mr Banks’ rigidity and his children’s needs; the bittersweet magic of Mary knowing when her work is done; the joy of finding wonder in the everyday. You leave the theatre feeling that little bit lighter, with a vague urge to tidy your kitchen while singing.
Production Values: The Extra Mile
Costuming is pitch-perfect – bright enough to pop under stage lights, historically accurate enough to satisfy the detail-obsessed. Lighting design adds warmth to the Banks’ home and sparkle to Mary’s magic, while the technical crew deserve a medal for pulling off complex scene transitions without a hitch.
Let’s just take a moment for that flying rig. In a venue with the bones of the 19th century, pulling off smooth aerial choreography is no small feat, and yet Mary and Bert glide about like they’ve been airborne all their lives.
Final Bow: Why You Need to See It
In short, Scotch College’s Mary Poppins is an Adelaide gem – family-friendly without being saccharine, ambitious without being overblown, and utterly infectious in its joy. It’s a celebration of what happens when young performers are trusted with big material and given the resources to pull it off.
“It’s a celebration of what happens when young performers are trusted with big material and given the resources to pull it off…” – Markus Hamence
You’ll laugh, you’ll hum along, you might even tear up. And by the curtain call, you’ll be convinced – these students aren’t just doing a school musical. They’re doing theatre, full stop… AND they’ve ONLY just begun.
Performance Details:
- When: 7-10 August 2025 (matinee and evening sessions)
- Where: Queens Theatre, Playhouse Lane & Gilles Arcade, Adelaide
- Tickets: Premium $60 | A-Reserve $50 Adults / $40 Students | B-Reserve $45 Adults / $35 Students
However, it’s SOLD OUT. So next time Scotch College Adelaide put on a show, GET IN QUICK!
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Check out my INTERVIEW with some of the cast and crew here
