JEREMY Miller has been feeling the pressure.
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"Every time I tell someone I'm playing Bert (in Taree Arts Council's Mary Poppins) they say, 'well, you better get the accent right!'."
The role of the lovable chimney sweep was made famous by American actor Dick Van Dyke in the film with Julie Andrews, which was released in 1964, but it is well-known that his cockney accent wasn't the best.
"Poor Dick Van Dyke, he did the worst cockney accent," said Jeremy.
With a lot riding on the accent, he has worked for months to get it right.
Not that it's been a problem.
"Bert has been a lot of fun to play. It's a bit unclear how he fits in with Mary though. He's not as magical as Mary, but he's not completely normal because he does have some magical ability.
"He's so physical, big and lovable and effusive."
Jeremy describes the character as puppy dog-like.
"There's no malice and he's so happy to be alive. He's a lovely character."
It's a big change from the last role Taree audiences saw Jeremy portray, the Emcee in Cabaret, a dark and controlling character.
"I'm a lot more Bert than I am the Emcee," he reassures.
Like in Cabaret, his character opens the show.
"You do have to check yourself before you go on."
It wasn't a difficult for Jeremy to decide to audition for Mary Poppins.
"When I heard the creative team was Gayle Cameron and Don Secomb I thought, I will happily work for a director as talented as Gayle and a musical director as talented as Don.
"With those two at the helm you know it is going to be a quality show."
He said that knowledge is especially important when you have children who you need to consider.
"You give up so much of your time and when you've got young kids at home you want to make sure it is worth it. You want it to be a show you can be proud of and your kids can be proud of."
In fact he was very happy that all his children could come along and see this show - although he was expecting to be in a bit of trouble with his five-year-old daughter.
"There's no animated dancing penguins! In the movie Bert dances with the penguins but it's not in the show. Hopefully there is enough other magical things for her."
When it came to preparing, he said having three young children and also studying a masters at university meant there wasn't a lot of outside work on top of the rehearsal times.
"When I'm at rehearsals, I'm at rehearsals. When I'm home, I'm home".
It's an important boundary to have.
He's spent six months working with the cast and said "it is one of the best things I love about community theatre.
"Everyone is there for the same reason and everyone is there to help each other out and give each other a pat on the back.
"It's like a sporting team in that there are different parts that all work together to support each other. We're on the one team and there is a sense of camaraderie."
One of his biggest challenges in the show surrounds one of the most spellbinding moments - when Bert walks up a wall, hangs upside and sings before somersaulting his way down to the floor.
"That magic trick is a very physical couple of minutes on stage.
"It's like looking at a duck on water. On top they look calm but underneath there is a lot going on... and there might be a little pain involved, but you smile and that's that."
Jeremy said Mary Poppins is a "magical, magical show" and there are many reasons to come along and see it.
"Everyone knows the movie, it's one of the most loved of all time. This show is the same but different.
"If you've seen the movie there is enough that is fresh and there are a couple of new songs."
In fact the stage show is a blend of the movie and the PL Travers books.
"The scenery and sets are fantastic and there is some amazing local talent up on stage.
"Its a magical, fun, family night out."
He has enjoyed being part of it all and points out it would not be possible without the amazing support of his family, and particularly his wife Frith.
"Everybody in the cast gives up so much of their time and at the end we get applause and get to take a bow and people come up and tell us how much they loved it.
"But behind us is a partner and kids who live without us for six months and they don't get the applause. It's a pretty big sacrifice for them as well".
Mary Poppins is on at the Manning Entertainment Centre until November 22.
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