Mary Poppins the "Definitive" Supercalifragilistic 2020 Cast Recording

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/6/20 at 12:09am

Is anyone else listening to the new "definitive" 2020 live cast recording of Mary Poppins tonight? I take issue with Cameron Mackintosh plastering the word "definitive" on the album cover but aside from that,the cast led by Charlie Stemp, Zizi Strallen and Petula Clark is, if not definitive, still delightful.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 11/6/20 at 8:36am

I guess I just don’t know the cast recordings/productions well enough to determine why this is the “definitive” recording. The Australian production also had a live cast recording and features changes made since the London production.

Are there any big changes to the West End revival? Or does he consider these performance to be definitive?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/6/20 at 9:35am

I wouldn't call them big changes. "Playing the Game" has undergone further revision since the Australian cast recording and the act one finale is slightly different. It used to end with the dialogue between the children and Mrs. Brill and now the dialogue leads into further singing from Bert. The Entr'acte included on this album is still the "Run Away" music and not the actual Entr'acte used in the score and the reprise opening to act two has gone unrecorded yet again. "Anything Can Happen" includes the portion of the song with the Bird Woman but I don't believe that is a change. It was just previously unrecorded.

[seaweedjstubbs]

Posted: 11/6/20 at 8:49pm

The only song I listen to from any cast recording of MARY POPPINS is “Temper, Temper” from the Original London Cast Recording. Such an epic song. Shame it was cut.

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 11/6/20 at 11:06pm

Thanks for making me aware of this. It didn't show up as a new release in any of my music services. Just got it in high-resolution audio from Amazon Music HD. 

[Erzlump]

Posted: 11/7/20 at 8:15am

CATSNYrevival said: "I wouldn't call them big changes [...] the act one finale is slightly different. It used to end with the dialogue between the children and Mrs. Brill and now the dialogue leads into further singing from Bert. [...]"

I don't know why this change irks me but I really enjoyed the previous finale of act 1 ending in a picture rather than a high note. It was a pleasant change from the defying gravity-esque act 1 high note finale we see so often nowadays. Gave the orchestra the chance to create a dramatic moment and let the moment sink in.

[davp]

Posted: 11/7/20 at 12:08pm

Does anyone know if this live performance was professionally filmed when they were recording the audio?  Just wondering if we can expect to see a video of the production at some point down the road, or maybe after it eventually closes.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 11/7/20 at 1:49pm

Calling the “definitive” cast album is kind of a dig at Laura Michelle Kelly and Gavin Lee

[mikey2573]

Posted: 11/7/20 at 3:39pm

Not to mention Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 11/7/20 at 4:41pm

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "I guess I just don’t know the cast recordings/productions well enough to determine why this is the “definitive” recording. The Australian production also had a live cast recording and features changes made since the London production.

Are there any big changes to the West End revival? Or does he consider these performance to be definitive? "

Well, there is certainly more content on this album than on the OBC, and more "current."

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 11/8/20 at 8:54am

davp said: "Does anyone know if this live performance was professionally filmed when they were recording the audio? Just wondering if we can expect to see a video of the production at some point down the road, or maybe after it eventually closes."

I think that was rumored when this revival was announced - that they’re bringing it back in the UK to film professionally at some point. Same for Beauty and the Beast rumored revival.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 11/8/20 at 8:54am

davp said: "Does anyone know if this live performance was professionally filmed when they were recording the audio? Just wondering if we can expect to see a video of the production at some point down the road, or maybe after it eventually closes."

I think that was rumored when this revival was announced - that they’re bringing it back in the UK to film professionally at some point. Same for Beauty and the Beast rumored revival.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 11/8/20 at 12:50pm

I can appreciate the marketing ploy of "definitive" to an extent. CamMack did it on the Miss Saigon revival recording most recently, I believe. Definitive in the sense that it's the score performed in real-time for an audience... there's no "trying to capture the experience of seeing the show live" in a studio... it's actually live. That's my only real guess considering Saigon's recording was also live.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/8/20 at 1:57pm

Mary Poppins already has a previous live cast recording from the Australian cast. I’m not sure the live aspect is what he’s considering definitive here. It’s just hyperbole.

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 11/8/20 at 4:12pm

Erzlump said: "I don't know why this change irks me but I really enjoyed the previous finale of act 1 ending in a picture rather than a high note. It was a pleasant change from the defying gravity-esque act 1 high note finale we see so often nowadays. Gave the orchestra the chance to create a dramatic moment and let the moment sink in."

Agreed! The dramatic moment where Mary floats up and flies off transfers so much emotion to the audience. We feel the same sense of 'panic' the children do when they realize she's left. I also miss the original underscoring while they're talking to Mrs. Brill... it was much more sad and effective.

This version makes it sound like there's way too much happening on stage at once at the very end of the act, instead of that haunting image of Bert alone on the roof as the scrim slowly falls.

And on a side note, I know they want it to sound impressive and like the audience was elated, but the applause sounds so obviously edited in and over-done.

I won't be totally negative, though.  I'm happy this recording exists to preserve Petula Clark's performance in an official format.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/8/20 at 9:16pm

Petula Clark is wonderful. Am I correct that they lowered the key of the song for her or am I just hearing things? I don't mind either way, I'm just curious.

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 11/9/20 at 12:05pm

CATSNYrevival said: "Petula Clark is wonderful. Am I correct that they lowered the key of the song for her or am I just hearing things? I don't mind either way, I'm just curious."

Yes, it's lowered slightly, but of course that's understandable. Brilliant decision casting her!

I saw her perform in concert in December, 2017 and she was absolutely charming, and in excellent voice.  Among her hits, I was thrilled to hear her sing songs from "Finian's Rainbow" and "With one Look" from "Sunset Boulevard."  I had my fingers crossed for something from "Blood Brothers," but perhaps it's best to be left wanting more! 

Updated On: 11/9/20 at 12:05 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/9/20 at 1:01pm

I love the Blood Brothers cast album with Petula and her Sunset Boulevard recordings. She’s charming as the Bird Woman as well. I just wish she had more to do!