Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

Review: Mary Poppins at QPAC: Practically Perfect!

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Mary Poppins Review

I did not know that the author of the Mary Poppins book series was born only about 255 kms (161 miles) from where I sit today (Brisbane, Australia), in a sleepy old two called Maryborough (The name of the town probably has nothing to do with the name of the character that the author created).

Yes, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious indeed! P. L. Travers (or original name of Helen Lyndon Goff) was country author who created the magical and mysterious nanny and the show based on this famous character started its run at the Lyric Theatre at QPAC yesterday. It is a homecoming of sorts.

Most people will remember this nanny from the 1964 Hollywood adoption, made famous by Julie Andrews’s Oscar winning performance and the Sherman Brothers cheeky songs. In 2004, Cameron Mackintosh and Disney collaborated to bring the musical to stage at West End with follow up shows in Broadway and Australia. The Australian run started in Melbourne in 2010, and last night, it came to Brisbane.

And what a homecoming it was. A packed audience saw Verity Hunt-Ballard play Mary Poppins in a performance that was as much soulful as it was colorful. Matt Lee (ex judge from So you think you can Dance Australia) is the perfect foil as Bert. Simon Burke and Pippa Grandison play the Banks couple with intensity. But the audience favourite may yet have been Sally Ann-Upton playing the housekeeper, Mrs. Brill.

The show, is a must see, even if you are not a fan of live stage productions. Just the songs will make you want to hum along. The dialogues are crisp, the acting fluent and the clockwork precision of the theatrical production would have made P. L. Travers happy. Go see it!

All the details:

On now till Mar 17th 2012.

Friday* and Saturday 7.30pm, Saturday and Sunday matinees
Tickets $45 – $132.50

*Special holiday matinees will replace Friday evening shows on January 13, 20 and 27.

Wednesday and Thursday 7.30pm, Friday 1.30pm and Sunday 6.30pm
Tickets $45 – $127.50

Wednesday and Thursday 7.30pm (excludes 30 Dec to 4 Jan)
Family Pass
(4 x C Reserve tickets) $140

Wednesday 1.30pm
Tickets $40 – $90

The duration of the show is 2 hours and 45 minutes with a 20 minute interval.

Buy tickets at QPAC.

Hot Tip: If you have a child under the age of six, and if that child would not settle (as was our case), then make sure you ask the ushers to help you to go to the “Viewing Room”. This room is at the back of the theatre, has around 8 seats in a private sound proof box, and your child can make mayhem there without causing you to close your eyes and ears in embarrassment. You can still see the show, and hear it via a slightly muffled speaker, and you can go in and out of this room as you may please.

Also, if you have a child under 2, make sure to collect a free “Babes in Arms” ticket from the box office before going in.

CraftGossip attended the show courtesy of QPAC Publicity.

Have you read?

10 DIY Angel Jewelry Tutorials For Christmas

These DIY angel jewelry tutorials are sweet, sentimental, and perfect for Christmas gift making, with angel earrings, beaded angel pendants, wire angel necklaces, angel wing jewelry, and upcycled Christmas angel charms.

There is something wonderfully old-fashioned and heartfelt about angel jewelry at Christmas. It has that soft, sentimental feeling that suits handmade gifting so beautifully — the sort of little project you can make at the craft table, pop into a tiny organza bag, and give to a friend, teacher, neighbour, church helper, craft group member, or someone who simply needs a bit of comfort at the end of a long year.

Angel jewelry can be sweet and simple, or quite elegant depending on the beads and findings you choose. Clear crystals and silver wings feel icy and festive, pearls give that classic guardian angel look, gold accents make everything feel a little more special, and old broken jewelry can be turned into the prettiest Christmas angel pendants. I always love a project that gives the “odd bead drawer” a reason to exist, because goodness knows mine is not getting any smaller on its own.

These DIY angel jewelry tutorials for Christmas include beaded angel earrings, wire angel pendants, angel wing necklaces, crystal angel charms, and upcycled Christmas angel jewelry ideas. Some are simple enough for beginners who can make a loop on a headpin, while others are better for makers who enjoy wirework, bead weaving, or more detailed jewelry construction.

DIY Angel Jewelry Tutorials For Handmade Christmas Gifts

 Beaded Angel

This CraftBits beaded angel is a classic little Christmas project that works beautifully as a pendant, ornament, zipper pull, or charm. The tutorial uses small beads and wire to create shaped wings, making it a lovely stash-busting project if you have leftover pearls, crystals, or seed beads. I would make these in soft ivory and gold for an elegant Christmas gift, or in birthstone colours for a more personal guardian angel keepsake.

 Wire Angel Pendant Tutorial

This wire angel pendant from Jewelry Making Journal is a beautiful project for anyone who enjoys simple wire shaping. The angel’s body and wings are formed from one piece of wire, while jump rings are used to create the head, neck, and halo. It has a lovely clean look and would make a meaningful Christmas necklace, especially on a fine chain or ribbon cord.

 DIY Beaded Angel Pendants

These beaded angel pendants are sweet, easy, and very giftable. The tutorial shows how to stack selected beads onto a headpin and finish the top with a wrapped loop, which makes this a nice beginner-friendly angel jewelry project. I like this idea for making a batch of Christmas angel necklace charms in different colours, especially if you want each one to feel a little bit personal.

 DIY Christmas Angels From Upcycled Jewellery

This is such a lovely way to use broken costume jewelry, odd beads, crystals, and vintage bits that are too pretty to throw away. The tutorial stacks beads, angel wings, and a halo onto a headpin, then finishes the charm so it can become jewelry or a Christmas decoration. It is perfect for sentimental makes too — imagine using beads from an old necklace that belonged to someone special.

 Crystal Angel Earrings Tutorial

These crystal angel earrings are simple, sparkly, and ideal for Christmas party jewelry. The design uses a cone bead, wing bead, round crystal bead, rhinestone halo, headpin, and earring hooks, so the construction is straightforward if you already know how to make a simple loop. They would look gorgeous in clear crystal, pale blue, silver, or champagne tones.

 Petite Artemis Angel Earrings Tutorial

These petite angel earrings have a delicate, polished look thanks to the combination of crystal beads and small angel wing components. The tutorial uses Swarovski-style crystals and TierraCast-style findings, making the finished earrings feel more boutique than basic craft project. This is a lovely one for elegant handmade Christmas gifts, especially for someone who prefers subtle festive jewelry.

 Beebeecraft Angel Earrings Tutorial

This angel earring tutorial uses eye pins, spacer beads, striped beads, and wing charms to create a quick pair of angel earrings. It is a nice project for beginners because the construction is simple and the finished earrings still look sweet and wearable. I would use soft pearl beads for a classic angel look, or red and green accents if you want them to feel more Christmas-themed.

 DIY Silver Angel Wing Necklace With Beads And Wire

This angel wing necklace is a good choice if you want angel jewelry that feels a little less literal. Instead of a full angel figure, the necklace uses angel wing elements, beads, wire links, jump rings, and a clasp to create a wearable silver-toned design. It would make a thoughtful Christmas necklace for someone who loves guardian angel symbolism but prefers a more modern jewelry style.

 Pearl And Bugle Bead Angel Charm Tutorial

This pearl and bugle bead angel charm has that lovely handmade heirloom feel. The tutorial uses jewelry tools, wire, a body bead, a smaller bead for the head, bugle beads, seed beads, a jump ring halo, and a headpin or loop pin to build the angel charm. It can be used as a necklace pendant, earrings, zipper pull, bookmark charm, or keychain, which makes it a wonderfully flexible Christmas gift idea.

Angel Jewelry Making Ideas For Christmas Gifts

Angel jewelry is one of those Christmas craft themes that works across so many styles. For a soft and elegant look, use pearls, clear crystals, silver findings, rhinestone halos, and fine chain. For a more traditional Christmas look, use red, green, gold, and frosted white beads. For keepsake-style gifts, try upcycling beads from old necklaces or broken earrings so the finished angel carries a little story with it.

If you are making these for a craft stall, the simple beaded angel pendants and crystal angel earrings are the easiest to batch-make. For meaningful gifts, I would choose the wire angel pendant, the pearl and bugle bead angel charm, or the upcycled jewelry angels. And for someone who loves beadwork, the Guardian Angel Pendant is the kind of project that feels special enough to wrap properly rather than tuck into a last-minute gift bag.

For more angel-themed Christmas crafting, you may also like this CraftGossip feature on a Needle Felted Christmas Angel, which would pair nicely with handmade angel jewelry if you are planning a full angel-themed holiday craft table.

Handmade angel jewelry is small, but it carries so much meaning. A tiny pair of angel earrings, a crystal angel pendant, or a pearl guardian angel charm can become a thoughtful Christmas gift, a comforting keepsake, or simply something pretty to wear through the festive season.