Wireless Mic & Projector Rental for Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins
Starting point: Most productions of Mary Poppins need 14 to 16 wireless channels. Our starting point is the Standard 16-channel system, which covers the Banks family and the featured roles. Mary Poppins JR. usually fits in 12 to 16 channels.
This is our suggested starting configuration, not a requirement of the show or its licensor. Your count depends on your edition, your staging and your crew.
How we got to 16 channels
Mary Poppins has a principal family and a set of featured roles who each sing in one or two scenes. A typical plan:
-
Principals (7): Mary Poppins, Bert, George Banks, Winifred Banks, Jane, Michael, Mrs. Brill
-
Featured roles (6 to 9): Robertson Ay, the Bird Woman, Miss Andrew, Admiral Boom, Mrs. Corry, the Park Keeper, Neleus, Valentine
Cover the chimney sweeps and the park ensemble with area mics.
This count assumes: every listed role has its own transmitter; your venue covers big ensemble numbers with area or choir mics; and there are no pack swaps. Doubling roles or swapping packs lowers the count. Miking ensemble members individually raises it.
Doubling, pack swaps and your sound operator
Two actors can share a transmitter only if they are never on stage at the same time and a crew member has time offstage to move the pack, re-fit the mic and check it. Every channel also needs attention at the mixer: one operator following a marked script can run a show this size, but bring them into rehearsals before tech week.
Recommended package
-
Wireless: Standard, Good (Shure SLXD), 16 channels, with Broadway lavs: $1,695/week. Book this exact system at Broadway Media →
-
Better microphones: the same 16 channels in Better (Shure QLXD or Sennheiser EW-DX) is $2,495/week, and Best (Shure ULXD) is $3,295/week. Better → Best →
-
Protection plan (required): choose one at checkout at Broadway Media: a Damage Waiver at 10% of the rental ($169.50 on the Good system for one week), your organization’s certificate of insurance, or a security deposit. Compare the options →
-
Shipping and longer runs: shipping is charged at checkout at Broadway Media. Each extra week is the same weekly rate, with no multi-week discount.
-
You provide: a mixer with 16 free mic inputs and a sound system. Economy is the only system that includes a mixer, so a Standard system connects to yours. Check your venue →
-
Range: add a wireless expansion pack (from $195/week) for each 8 channels if performers work more than about 50 ft from the rack, such as in the house aisles. View expansion pack →
-
Projector: Cherry Tree Lane, the rooftops of London and the park are classic projection settings. Start with your screen width, then check mounting distance and stage light on the projector page. Compare projectors →
Mic notes for Mary Poppins
-
Flying: if Mary flies, coordinate pack placement with the flying company; the harness takes the usual pack spot.
-
“Step in Time”: tap and dance on the rooftops: mic belts for Bert and the featured sweeps.
-
Hats and bonnets: place hairline mics before hats go on.
-
Miss Andrew: often doubled; plan pack-safe changes.
Projecting Cherry Tree Lane
Scenery is licensed separately from the projector rental. Search Broadway Media’s catalog for your version of the show, then rent a projector to run it. Search scenery at Broadway Media →
Timeline
Pick a start Monday on or before the first rehearsal that needs mics. Broadway Media targets delivery by 5 p.m. local time that Monday, so plan setup and a full test during business hours that week, and book an extra week if you need the gear sooner. Book at least 9 days ahead; orders placed within 4 weeks of the start date may carry a rush charge. How renting works →
Request a quote for your Mary Poppins production →
Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins is a trademark of its owners. Rent Stage Gear is not affiliated with or endorsed by the show’s licensor. Photo: Mary Poppins JR. at Ripon Christian School, from Broadway Media’s production gallery.