Patti Newton reveals role as the Bird Woman in Mary Poppins

Patti Newton believes the spirit of late husband Bert will be watching over her when she takes the stage in Brisbane.

When Patti Newton takes to the stage in Brisbane in late October she hopes to get a little help from above.

Newton, 77, lost her beloved husband Bert last October and has been grieving since.

But she says Bert would be thrilled she will play the role of the Bird Woman in Mary Poppins for the Brisbane season of the popular musical, which stars two actors from Brisbane in the lead roles – Stefanie Jones as Mary Poppins and Jack Chambers as Bert.

“I do feel Bert will be with me,” Newton says.

“Bert and I always had a great feeling about Brisbane and we loved coming to Queensland together.

“He always said he wanted to live here one day and we have beautiful memories.

“So it’s very exciting to be coming to Brisbane in Mary Poppins.

“After a heavy grief you feel like you don’t know which way to turn, but Bert would be so happy I am doing this.”

Newton takes over from veteran actor Nancy Hayes, who is currently playing the role in Sydney.

Patti Newton was invited to go for the role and auditioned for producer Cameron Mackintosh who is presenting it with the Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand and Michael Cassel Group.

“That was daunting auditioning for Cameron,” Newton says.

“But he was fabulous and it was like meeting an old friend.”

Patti Newton’s next role is in QPAC’s season of Mary Poppins.

Patti Newton is a veteran performer in her own right and has had a long and successful career in theatre, TV and radio.

She started out playing the Tivoli Circuit from the age of four starring in the company’s legendary pantomimes.

Later she worked on Melbourne Tonight with Bert, and the legendary Graham Kennedy and Don Lane, and she has appeared in numerous musicals including The Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Music.

In 1997 she was honoured for her work entertaining the troops in Vietnam.

She has also appeared on TV in Dancing with the Stars and Celebrity Apprentice, and earlier this year she sang at a Mother’s Day concert in Brisbane and appeared at the Logies on the Gold Coast as a special tribute to Bert.

She says she is thrilled to be getting back on stage.

“My role in Mary Poppins is a cameo really, and I get to sing Feed the Birds, which is a beautiful song,” Newton says.

“The Bird Woman is a bit scruffy and grubby, but with her you have to look beyond what you see, and that’s a lovely message.

“I saw Nancy Hayes doing it and I have big shoes to fill.

“Mary Poppins has such a beautiful place in the hearts of so many people and families around the world.

“To get to be part of this cherished story, and perform alongside these incredibly talented people, is a genuine pleasure and I can’t wait to join them in Brisbane.”

Mary Poppins opens October 22 at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC