THE countdown to Mary Poppins in on.
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As the set "bumps-in" to the Manning Entertainment Centre this week and rehearsals move into the theatre, Taree Arts Council is fine tuning what is set to be one of the most spectacular and gravity defying productions ever staged in Taree.
It is also the most expensive production ever for the theatre organisation.
Director Gayle Cameron said preparation has been going well, with the creation of scenes and musical numbers finished one month prior to opening night.
Their first full run-through took place on the Monday of the October long weekend, and they did another on the Sunday just gone.
"It ran right on time and was smooth, " said Gayle.
Mary Poppins has 31 cast members and she has been very happy with how everything is coming together.
"I'm thrilled. All the leads are well cast and have been working well on their characters."
When it comes to leading lady Elizabeth Hall, who plays Mary Poppins, Gayle said she has an incredibly strong work ethic.
"She is working like a trojan. She has been working on her fitness, she's having three singing lessons a week and she always comes prepared. She's just been a gem."
She has also enjoyed working with the four children who share the roles of Jane and Michael Banks (Georgina Saad, Charlotte Reece, Will Hellstedt and Cassidy Donovan).
"The kids have been wonderful. They are another group who always come prepared. They know their lines and they always know where to be on stage in every one of their scenes.
"They are in it more than any other character."
Gayle said Taree Arts Council was able to stage Mary Poppins after the amateur rights became available to select companies and the theatre organisation was successful in its application.
"We had done Miss Saigon with Hal Leonard. They knew our reputation and that we would produce it to a particular level."
She is excited for audiences to see the show.
"It's full of so many theatrical experiences and is so fun. It really is a show for everyone and has something in it for all ages.
"It's got a lot of humour in it, which I don't think a lot of people realise and it's the story of a family who are unravelling and how Mary Poppins teaches them how to come together again. They rediscover their values through her subtleties and as she introduces them to new experiences."
Gayle said if you love the film, read the book or saw the stage play, the musical is a combination of the best of them.
Mary Poppins opens on Friday November 6 and closes on November 22.
Tickets are available the Manning Entertainment Centre website.