‘‘Anything can happen if you let it.’’
That is a famous quote from the Mary Poppins musical, to be staged by Variety Theatre Ashburton in May next year.
It is also a quote that could apply to how an actor for the production, Sam McArthur, is feeling after landing the lead role.
‘‘I was just delighted, I was just so happy,’’ the 24-year-old said about her successful audition.
‘‘I have adored the character since I was little.’’
The 2017 Ashburton College Dux, who was head girl the same year, has come from a background in musical theatre.
McArthur performed in this year’s Variety production of Les Misérables. She was in the ensemble and was the understudy for Cosette. She played Bet in the Variety production of Oliver in 2016, while her first role was playing Little Eponine was the theatre company’s first Les Misérables performance in 2009 as Little Eponine.
Playing the character of Mary Poppins would be her biggest role yet.
‘‘Mary is very poised, she’s very firm, but also she loves fun and she’s very warm,’’ McArthur said.
‘‘So I think there’s a lot of fun to be had with her character.’’
McArthur studied law and global studies at Otago University, while also undertaking singing lessons. She now works in Christchurch as a lawyer, while continuing with her passion of musical theatre in her spare time.
‘‘I love my job, but I also really love theatre, and being able to do both and having an opportunity to do both is amazing.’’
Mary Poppins follows the journey of a magical nanny, taking children from the Banks family on several adventures, often joined by Bert the chimney sweep.
Songs include Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Feed The Birds, Chim Chim Cheree and A Spoonful Of Sugar.
Other actors successful at auditions include Cam Sutcliffe as Bert, and Joe Danielson as George Banks.
The director/choreographer will be Madison Thew-Keyworth, while the musical director will be Jo Castelow.
Rehearsals will begin in February. Mary Poppins will stage at the Ashburton Event Centre May 16 to 24.
