The larger-than-life production is held together and pushed to new heights by an extraordinary cast of performers, led by Stefanie Jones as the practically perfect titular character, and Jack Chambers as the loveable, charming Bert.
Bert, most commonly seen and known as the chimney sweep with a Cockney accent in 'Mary Poppins', and played in the original film by Dick Van Dyke, is an iconic role in film and theatre. Jack's nostalgic, childhood memories of the Julie Andrews-fronted film, paired with Bert's warm nature and affinity for song and dance, drew Jack to the role – and the rest is history.
Speaking of history, Jack first met his fiancé Grant Almirall when they were mere co-stars in the Australian touring production of 'Singin' In The Rain' (where Jack played the role of Cosmo Brown). Thanks to the unmentionable thing-that-ruined-everything-in-2020, their wedding plans were ground to a halt – forcing the pair apart as Grant returned home to South Africa. The power of love – and a bit of help from the wonders of modern technology – kept the spark alight for Jack and Grant.
Image © Prudence Upton
Now, as things begin to return to normal, and Jack continues to perform to sell-out theatre audiences in Brisbane – and soon Melbourne – the pair are living for the present and looking forward to the future.
We caught up with Jack Chambers during the Brisbane season of 'Mary Poppins' to talk all things Bert, finding love in unexpected places, and Jack's journey in the world of theatre.
Firstly, for those unfamiliar, tell us a bit about your role in 'Mary Poppins’, Bert.
Bert is the first character you are introduced to in the show, as he takes on the role of narrator. He is a jack of all trades – a sidewalk artist, a lamplighter and a chimney sweep. He is an old pal to Mary Poppins, so he is very much a part of the magic that Mary brings about and is always around to help when Mary may need him to. You’ll find out very quickly that Bert has a crush on Mary and when in her presence, he is trying to charm her socks off.
What drew you to this role?
I was drawn to the role of Bert because he is a song and dance man and I’m a song and dance man, so how could I not put myself forward for the role? Obviously, the movie was a part of my childhood, so there is a lot of nostalgia and love for these characters and the soundtrack.
Why do you think so many young, aspiring actors dream of playing this role?
I don’t know if I can speak for others, but I’m sure one of the reasons is the fact that Bert is such an iconic character from an iconic musical. This role really requires you to be well-skilled in all three disciplines (dancing, singing, acting) but also needing to be personable. So, it can be really rewarding to play a role that pushes you to show all you can do. The fact he is such a likeable character doesn’t hurt either.
Image © Daniel Boud
Tell us a bit about your start in dance. How did your journey in the world of performing begin?
I can't think of a time when I didn't want to perform. From the moment I was born, I was surrounded by dance and music. I have two older sisters who danced, and apparently once I learned to walk, I began to mimic their dance moves rather successfully. So, at the age of three, I began formal dance training and have never looked back. I began singing classes at the age of six and acting lessons around the age of nine. My first taste of musical theatre was when I was ten, I played young Cosmo Brown in an amateur production of 'Singin' in the Rain'. I only had about ten minutes of stage time in that show, so I used to sit in the wings and watch the adult cast do their thing, memorising their choreography and lines. I was obsessed.
Aside from Bert, what’s another role in another show that you looked up to when you were younger, and why?
Well, when I was really young, I loved 'The Wizard of Oz'. I may or may not have dressed up like Dorothy, with a basket and pretend Toto. But aside from that I definitely loved Cosmo Brown in 'Singin' in the Rain', played by Donald O’Connor. A comical genius. MGM musicals had some incredible performers who just always made everything look so effortless and easy. I believe a lot of the time I looked up to performers more than a character. Notable mentions are, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and Donald O’Connor.
Your partner, Grant, is also a touring performer. What’s it like to both be in the same profession?!
I love that we are in the same profession. I know for some it can be difficult and competitive. But not for us. We are both really supportive of each other. It’s great when preparing for auditions, because we have each other to work off when reading lines and to brainstorm ways of executing material and respectfully critique each other to get the best outcomes. We both have different strengths and weaknesses and style as performers, so a lot of the time we won’t be going for the same roles.
You were both in 'Singin’ In The Rain’! How did you begin speaking, what was it about Grant that caught your eye?
Well, when I first met Grant, I was looking at him as a work colleague. I'm always really focused during show rehearsals. It isn't until I have officially opened the production and am only working on a performance schedule that I am able to find my groove, relax, and break free from tunnel vision. I was well aware that he was a handsome man, but my objective at the time was simply to be friends. But as we began to hang out and get to know each other more, feelings began to form, and it finally became what everyone refers to as a 'showmance'. We remained professional, however, and kept our personal relationship separate from work, which evidently worked because several cast members didn't even realise we were together until the production ended, which was six months later.
A lot of your relationship has been virtual, until recently! Can you tell us a bit about that?
Grant is from South Africa and was to return home when 'Singin' In The Rain' finished. We had only been together for six months at this point, but we didn't want the relationship to end, so we successfully maintained a long-distance relationship. We chatted on Skype every day and made every attempt to meet together someplace in the world when our schedules allowed it, so that we weren't just a virtual relationship. So, six months after the show ended in January 2016, we met up in NYC for a holiday together, and then he came to Australia for Christmas and New Year's that year. The following year, he was working on a cruise ship, so I stayed with him for two weeks and then again we spent Christmas together once more. It basically followed that same pattern each year. In October 2019, while in NYC together, we got engaged and really wanted the long-distance aspect of our relationship to be a thing of the past. So, it was full steam ahead to organising our wedding which was planned for April 2020. But of course, COVID! Which had us separated for ten months, making it the longest we had ever been apart.
And following on from that, your wedding was postponed in 2020 thanks to that unmentionable thing. Have you made plans for it to go ahead yet?
Yes, we did make plans to have the wedding twice more. May 2021, but COVID still made it difficult, so we pushed it back to May this year. But I happened to book 'Mary Poppins', and rehearsals began in Sydney in April. So, it's still in limbo for the time being, but we are currently in discussion about when the day can finally happen.
Have you got any set-in-stone plans post-‘Mary Poppins’?
No set-in-stone plans yet. But we are thinking of relocating to Melbourne. So, Grant will join me down in Melbourne while 'Mary Poppins' is there next year and see if the fit is right.
'Mary Poppins The Musical' is now playing at Queensland Performing Arts Centre until 15 January. It begins at Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre on 29 January.
