Famous scenic beauty Marina Prior is transformed into the blockbuster Mary Poppins

She is famous for her beautiful voice and stunning looks.

And now, gorgeous stage star Marina Prior has been transformed for the latest production of the hit musical Mary Poppins now playing at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre.

Marina, 59, is unrecognizable in the famed hit show, in which she plays the role of the Bird Woman, a sweet and very old lady, as well as the sinister Miss Andrew.

In an interview with the herald sun on Friday, the veteran scene of hits such as 9 to 5 and The Sound of Music, he said he enjoyed the change of pace from his usual glam parts.

“I was the perennial ingénue, the heroine, the romantic lead,” said the Phantom of the Opera star.

The Carols by Candlelight star continued: “There is a tendency, particularly in this country, to pigeonhole people. I’m very proud of the roles I’m doing now; they are brave, interesting and age appropriate.’

Dark-haired and youthful Marina appears twenty-five years older as the grizzled, grizzled character of Mary Poppins’ Bird Woman.

“It’s fun, it’s really challenging, and I love it,” she said of the role in which she has to perform dressed as a London street panhandler, complete with socks, stringy hair and a battered straw hat.

“As an actor, it’s lovely to dress up like that, and I really hope people don’t know it’s me.”

Based on the famous 1964 Walt Disney film starring Julie Andrews, the stage version features stunning sets, mind-blowing special effects, and rousing tunes like Chim Chim Cher-ee.

So You Think You Can Dance Australia winner Jack Chambers stars alongside Marina.

Meanwhile, Australian stage actress Stefanie Jones plays the title role. She was personally cast in the role by the show’s English producer and co-creator, Sir Cameron Mackintosh.

The London production of returned to the West End in 2019, 14 years after its debut, and was a huge success.