Studio 410 debuts Mary Poppins Jr at Drayton festival Theatre

DRAYTON –  They may be junior, but their work ethic, passion and dedication to the arts is top tier. 

The young actors and actresses of Studio 410 have finally debuted their Mary Poppins Jr. production at the Drayton Festival Theatre after months of hard work.

“It’s a long process but it’s so worth it,” said Evangeline Graham, 18, who plays Winifred Banks. 

Preparation for the production began in October and saw the cast, made up of youth aged eight to 18, in the studio several times a week, sometimes for up to 10 hours.

Based on the Disney film, Mary Poppins Jr. the play  invites audiences to London in 1910, where the Banks children have outworn every nanny –  until Mary Poppins arrives. 

Guided by the cheerful, quick-witted Bert, Mary Poppins leads Jane, Michael and the grown-ups around them, on a series of adventures. 

This production also marks Studio 410’s 10-year anniversary.

“We’re like a family,” said Kaiden Durrer, 17, who plays George Banks. “We are such close friends.”

Opening weekend for the production was April  11 and 12, however the performance will continue to run on the weekends at the Drayton Festival Theatre until April 19. 

Asked about their favourite musical numbers, each member of the cast seemed to have a different answer, from Step in Time and Cherry Tree Lane to the iconic Super-cali-fragilistic-expiali-docious.

About Studio 410

Based in Teeswater, Studio 410 is owned by sisters Paige and Devan Ballagh and offers a variety of theatre-based programs aimed at youth.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit studio410.ca/performing-arts-programming.

Tickets are $24 for youth aged 12 and under, $32 for those 13 and older. 

Those aged  two and under are free.