IT WAS the role Julie Andrews was meant to play, and one she’s owned ever since. But as it turned out, she’s glad Audrey Hepburn beat her to it.
HER cutglass tones are instantly recognisable and haven’t dulled over the years, so when news.com.au speaks to Dame Julie Andrews we’re half expecting a rendition of “Supercalifragilistic” to explode from the lips of the living legend at any given moment.
But unlike her alter-ego, Mary Poppins, everything in Julie’s sprawling LA home is far from ‘practically perfect.’ During our chat dogs continually bark and phones ring, to both our amusements. “It’s one of those nights,” says the star apologetically. “Everything is going crazy here!”
At 81, Julie is a mother to a natural daughter, her late-husband’s two children, and two adopted children — who she adopted from an orphanage in Vietnam — and she’s also a grandmother ten times over and a three-time great-grandmother. So, it’s understandable that the uncertain times we live in give her cause for concern.
“I do worry,” she says. “In some way it’s the same as back during the Second World War, when my parents worried for me and my brothers and sisters. I do worry a lot … I worry that values are changing. It sounds a bit Pollyanna-ish, but I do mean it, most sincerely.”
SHE once kept her Oscar for My Fair Lady (Mary Poppins!!!) in the attic because she felt it wasn’t deserved. Now, at almost 82, Julie Andrews knows her worth.
The stage version of My Fair Lady you directed has toured Australia for a year, and is now back in Sydney where it opened. Musicals come and go — why has this one endured?
Well, for several reasons. At base, it’s a Cinderella story and a love story that emerged at the height of the great golden era of Broadway musicals. And it has everything it needs to have: gorgeous songs and lyrics, phenomenal books, great costumes, incredible choreography and a big, sweeping story of importance about society.
Last year, cast member Robyn Nevin told a journalist you “smell delicious”. Did you know this?
[Laughs.] Oh, no! I wasn’t aware of that, but I’m glad she thought so. I do love perfume — I don’t lather it on, believe me. But if she smelled it on me and liked it, I’m thrilled.
People consider you a legend, and can become flummoxed in your presence. Do you find that a little ridiculous?
Why do you think that is? I mean, it’s not ridiculous to me, but it’s sad. Because I think of all people — well, I hope I’m very approachable. I love talking to people. It’s hard to shut me up, as you’ll probably find within the next several minutes.
You have said two of your most famous roles — Mary Poppins and Maria in The Sound of Music — served as feminist icons for generations. Growing up, who played that role for you?
Really early, it was a singing teacher who was a wonderful mentor and a very kind lady — who taught me a great deal about not just singing but also life. I loved the great sopranos, and admired some great movie stars.
I’ll never forget when I did My Fair Lady on Broadway, [actor] Ingrid Bergman came to see our show, as did [opera singer] Maria Callas. And the ladies asked if they could borrow my bathroom after such a long show — which it is — and I hardly dared sit on the toilet seat for weeks after that, I was so impressed.
Born on October 1, 1935, Dame Julie Andrews is an British actor. You may known her for her roles as Maria in 'The Sound Of Music' or Mary Poppins in the Disney film 'Mary Poppins'. Or, as the queen Queen Clarisse in 'The Princess Diaries'.
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Welcome to Simply Julie Andrews, a fan site dedicated to Dame Julie Andrews, best known for her roles in Sound Of Music, Mary Poppins and The Princess Diaries. Here you can find more information about Julie and her career through the years. We want to keep you up to date with news about Julie, upcoming events, new releases and so on..
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