Mary Poppins at 60: “For every single person, there’s a memory of it”

As a child of the 70’s and a parent of two millennials, I can attest to the timeless charm of Mary Poppins that continues to captivate audiences across generations. The nostalgia is undeniably strong for those who grew up with the film, but the relevance of its message remains as potent today as it was decades ago.

Over the past three decades, Nicola Goodchild has been in the acting profession, and a common remark people have made to her is that she bears a striking resemblance to Julie Andrews.

Up until not long ago, she had never taken action based on that resemblance. However, after enacting parts of Andrews’ performance from the 1982 musical comedy Victor/Victoria at a cabaret event seven years back, she started contemplating the idea of a tribute act to the star’s most famous character, Mary Poppins.

So, I approached the owner, who I was acquainted with, and proposed, “Could I possibly make an appearance here as Mary during one of your weekends this month?” To which she responded positively, saying, “That sounds fantastic!”

Since then, Goodchild barely took a moment to pause. Although she encountered minor setbacks initially – missing an early performance due to being cast in a series directed by George Clooney, and having to clarify some legal matters with the Disney Corporation – she promptly started her new venture, Mary Poppins Tribute UK, on the exact day that sequel Mary Poppins Returns hit theaters nationwide in late 2018.

“Ever since, I’ve made guest appearances in various locations,” she explains. “I can’t help but wonder if it’s due to the approaching anniversary, but my booking requests have been unusually abundant as of late. They just seem to pour in non-stop!”

At the start of her journey, Goodchild soon understood the immense task ahead of her. Two distinct occurrences during her initial assignment served as stark reminders that taking on Mary Poppins’ role was a significant privilege and duty.

She describes the situation by saying, “Two women in their thirties approached me following our tea encounter, and they were overflowing with excitement.”

“They exclaimed with genuine excitement, ‘We’re incredibly thrilled to finally meet you! Last year, we came to see you at Disneyland Paris, but only caught a glimpse of you in the parade. So, to have this personal encounter is truly exceptional!’ And I realized they weren’t joking – they had indeed never met me in Paris, and now they were meeting me for real.”

Another instance occurred when a younger admirer came up to her, right at the moment she was gathering her belongings.

I had recently been standing near the stairway, and a small child was lingering close to me. She pulled on my apron, asking me, “Mary Poppins, what’s it like when you leap onto a sidewalk mural?”

In response to your query, “I replied, ‘That’s an excellent question… Initially, it seems somewhat prickly and slightly tingly, yet in a pleasant manner.’ Then, I began to improvise and described it as feeling enchanting, like a joyful escapade. However, it was the gravity of that instant that required my attention. And the unwavering belief that child had in me being Mary Poppins, made the experience truly magical.”

In recent years, similar scenarios have occurred frequently, and Goodchild shares numerous touching anecdotes about how her take on Mary Poppins brought immense joy to young spectators, particularly during trying times when they needed an extra dose of happiness. The pandemic, in particular, proved to be a prosperous phase as she adapted to video conferencing platforms and made subtle adjustments to the Zoom experience to create a magical atmosphere.

One instance involved a video call with a young girl from Germany, arranged by her aunt and uncle who couldn’t visit due to travel restrictions during her birthday. During this call, while singing “Feed the Birds,” Mary mysteriously sent her enthusiastic fan a small bag of birdseed through the computer, a plan coordinated with her mother in advance. According to Goodchild, she was ecstatically thrilled by this surprise.

An impactful part of my journey involved collaborating with the Childhood Tumor Trust, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with neurofibromatosis. Typically, these children eagerly anticipate their annual gathering every year. However, due to social distancing rules, this event was canceled. A friend who is a patron of the charity asked for help in organizing a virtual party instead, which was warmly received.

She also mentions little Miranda, whom she speaks about affectionately. Miranda is the daughter of an old friend from Goodchild’s drama school who resides in Rome. When the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, she was just three years old. In search of comfort, she discovered the magic of Mary Poppins.

My friend sent me a message, mentioning that it seems important for you to be aware: Miranda intends to watch Mary Poppins from start to finish each day, one day in English and another in Italian, as per her statement.

“During Easter 2020, I messaged her like Mary did, offering words of encouragement. I hinted at the prospect of returning to her beloved park, enjoying favorite meals, and reuniting with cherished friends. Her enthusiasm was palpable! In response, she sent a video message. This exchange continued throughout the entire pandemic!”

She explained, “We exchanged messages, and then she sketched something for me. It was incredibly heartwarming. There was one particular sketch where she depicted herself having dinner and lamented, ‘I miss Mary Poppins, I wish I could give her a hug.’ Another drawing showed her asking, ‘When I go to England, will you perform magic for me like Mary Poppins?'”

“Indeed, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Rome myself, but she doesn’t know that Nicky is none other than Mary Poppins – a secret I can’t share with her! However, it was truly delightful to finally meet her in person, after only knowing her through videos.”

Hello everyone! Here’s something to brighten your afternoon.
A 40th birthday for a superfan!#40thbirthday #marypoppins #tuesdayvibe

— Mary Poppins Tribute UK (@poppins_uk) May 14, 2024

According to Goodchild, several reasons may explain why Mary Poppins continues to captivate audiences even decades after the movie’s premiere and the original books’ publication.

“I find myself reminiscing often,” I note. “You see, whenever I attend an event, Mary captivates every demographic present. There are the young ones who’ve recently discovered her charm, parents who remember her from their own childhood, and even grandparents. It’s quite remarkable how a character from a timeless film like Mary Poppins can resonate with three generations in a single gathering, be it a room or a garden.”

She notes, “Every person has their own recollection of it.” However, upon revisiting the movie on various occasions, she’s discovered that fresh aspects of the film emerge with each viewing – for instance, the Suffragettes segment, which initially eluded her understanding when she watched it as a younger person.

However, this straightforward reminder surfaced: Avoid forgetting the essence of life amidst the hustle of wealth acquisition and professional responsibilities. Mr. Banks seems to become entangled in the Fiduciary Bank’s intricacies, the pursuit of money, and the preoccupation with pennies, all while losing touch with his humanity.

“Mary Poppins, in essence, aids this realization: helping each person understand what it means to be human, identifying life’s essential values. She fosters personal relationships, emphasizes the importance of human connections, promotes enjoyment, encourages playfulness, and advocates for maintaining a youthful spirit.”

In her portrayal of Mary, Goodchild’s playful side is frequently evident in her interactions with adults. She describes this transformation as if the usual barrier that keeps people from acting childish disappears when she dons the costume.

“Police officers have occasionally rolled down their windows as they drive by in a cruiser, calling out ‘Oi oi Mary Poppins.’ Women walking toward me might nudge their husbands and whisper, ‘Look, it’s Mary Poppins.’ These encounters make people feel like children again. What’s fascinating is that Mary Poppins seems to be able to get away with almost anything because she’s Mary Poppins.”

That said, there are some events that Goodchild won’t be adding to her calendar any time soon.

She clarified that she respects the portrayal of Mary as a character and symbol, stating that she has no intention of making light of either P.L. Travers’ work or the Disney Corporation by altering it carelessly.

She provides a specific instance of what she believes is an improper application of the Poppins brand, highlighting several videos created by influencers which became popular during the pandemic.

“A woman recorded a video while dressed in a messy Mary Poppins costume, sharing her experience of being stuck at home with her kids, managing by drinking gin and keeping them entertained with TV, all set to the melody of a classic Poppins song.”

Five individuals shared the same humorous video with a small laughing emoji, and my response was, “I find it not amusing.” It’s just not funny or intelligent enough. To me, it lacked respect. I appreciate a good spoof, but it needs to be incredibly sharp, witty, and clever. I wouldn’t want to disrespect Mary’s character or create something that feels inappropriate.

The legacy of Poppins, it seems, is in very safe hands!

Mary Poppins is available to stream on Disney Plus. Sign up to Disney Plus from £4.99 a month.

2024-08-27 20:04

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