Practically perfect in every way: Georgia takes on Mary Poppins

When Year 11 student Georgia Hickey was in Primary school at NBCS, she loved watching the school musicals.

“I dreamed of being up on that stage,” she said. “When I got a small part in Strictly Ballroom in Year 7 with a song to sing, I was probably the most annoying person backstage because I was so happy!”

This year, Georgia’s childhood dreams came true when she landed the role of Mary Poppins in the musical of the same name. Playing Mary allows Georgia to get in touch with her strict inner nanny. “She has some cheeky moments, and it’s really fun to play them,” she said.

Mary Poppins’s iconic costumes are one of Georgia’s favourite things about the show. “My favourite costume is for Jolly Holiday — which is also my favourite scene and my favourite song. There’s so much happening at once, and it’s the first time we actually get a bit of that Mary Poppins magic,” she said.

The build-up for the classic number Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is also a favourite: “Everyone knows it’s coming!”

A seasoned music and drama student, Georgia knows the benefit of preparation. “I learned everything in the summer holidays so that when I came back to school, I didn’t have to stress about having to learn it all,” she said.

The musical version of Mary Poppins is known for its amazing effects — and there are some surprises in store, according to Georgia.

“I think the audience will be shocked and wonder, ‘How are they doing that?'” she said. “I don’t even know how all the tricks work yet, but I’m excited to see how the props are going to work and how the magic is going to happen — because there’s a lot of it!”