mary poppins musical - dramaturgy packet (for california regional theatre, chico)

Property of California Regional Theatre, 2015 1

Mary Poppins

The Broadway Musical

DRAMATURGY PACKET

California Regional Theatre

Performed: April 24, 25, 26,

May 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10

Based on the books by P.L. Travers

Libretto by Julian Fellowes

Original movie songs by Richard and Robert Sherman

Broadway music by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe



Executive Director: Bob Maness

1-800-722-4522

[email protected]

Created by Rebecca Hammonds

Production Dramaturg

[email protected]

Last updated 8/24/2015


3851 Morrow Ln. Suite 7

Chico, CA 95928

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Table of Contents

P.L. Travers………......................................................................................................................................5

Her Life……………………………………….…………………………..…………......................5

Influence of Spiritualism in World Religions…………………………….......................................6

Cast Resources….............………………………………………………………………………...............6

Mary Poppins at a Glance: A Timeline by Lexi Wixom..................................................................6

Setting of the Mary Poppins Stories.................................................................................................8

Books................................................................................................................................................8

Mary Shepherd (Illustrator).................................................................................................9

Frightening Fantasy Literature for Children...................................................................................10

Other Magical Characters...............................................................................................................10

Nanny/Governess Stories................................................................................................................11

Edwardian Economy.......................................................................................................................11

Character Analyses.........................................................................................................................13

Mary Poppins.....................................................................................................................13

Mr. George Banks..............................................................................................................15

Mrs. Winifred Banks..........................................................................................................16

Jane Banks.........................................................................................................................16

Michael Banks...................................................................................................................17

Bert.....................................................................................................................................17

Mrs. Brill............................................................................................................................18

Robertson Aye...................................................................................................................18

Miss Andrew......................................................................................................................18

Miss Lark...........................................................................................................................19

Mrs. Corry..........................................................................................................................19

Admiral Boom...................................................................................................................19


Bird Woman.......................................................................................................................19

Park Keeper........................................................................................................................20

Neleus................................................................................................................................20

Herr Von Hussler...............................................................................................................21

Mr. John Northbrook.........................................................................................................21

Travers and Disney....................................................................................................................................21

Saving Mr. Banks………………………………………………………………….......................21

Adaptation: From Books to Movie to Musical...............................................................................21

Mary Poppins Film.........................................................................................................................23

Richard and Robert Sherman (Music/Lyrics)…………….…………………................................23

Broadway…………………………………………….............................………………………...............24

Images and Motifs...........................................................................................................................24

Original Sets....................................................................................................................................24

Original Costumes..........................................................................................................................27

Production History..........................................................................................................................28

England (Bristol/Hippodrome and London/Prince Edward Theatre)................................28

Broadway (New Amsterdam)............................................................................................29

Tour....................................................................................................................................29

Themes and Messages………………………………………………………………................................30

Value...............................................................................................................................................30

Change............................................................................................................................................30

Play.................................................................................................................................................30

Making a Difference.......................................................................................................................31

Growing Up…………………………………………………………………….......….............…31

Glossary…………………………………………………………………………………….......................31

Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………..….....................34


P.L. Travers

Her Life

“Truth is one thing. Fact is another.” – P.L. Travers

Pamela Lyndon Travers (1899-1996) was born Helen Lyndon

Goff in Australia. Her father was a banker and her mother

stayed at home and cared for Helen and her sister. “Early in

life, she became aware of her gift of storytelling and would

entertain her brother and sisters with tales that she created.

After a brief career on the stage in Sydney, she went to

Ireland, where she wrote for the Irish Statesman and befriended A. E. (George Russell), the

famous Irish poet and Theosophist1… W. B. Yeats translated the Upanishads, which was to have

a profound influence on Travers, as did Hindu mythology and Buddhism, the lore of the Navajo

Indians, and Jungian psychology. Travers wrote numerous poems and articles for well-known

journals (later in life, she wrote mainly Jungian articles for Parabola magazine) as well as books,

among which are seven Mary Poppins stories produced between 1934 and 1988.” (Vachet)

When she was in her 40’s, P.L. Travers decided she wanted to adopt a child. She heard about a

pair of twins in Ireland and agreed to adopt them, but when she arrived, after consulting with her

astrologer, she only agreed to adopt Camillus. It would later cause a tremendous rift in the

relationship between Travers and her adopted son…and his brothers. (Jones)

When Travers was 65 she agreed to sell the rights of her books to Disney and collaborated on the

film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. Her son Camillus, along with a few of her

friends, told interviewers that Travers never had a good word to say about the Disney version of

her books. (The South Bank Show)

A few years before her death, Travers was approached by Broadway Midas Cameron

Mackintosh, to see if she would allow him to produce a musical adaptation of her books in

conjunction with Disney. (The South Bank Show) Mackintosh tells how she sensed his true

understanding of the books and therefore gave him the go-ahead to produce the show. In her will,

however, it was stated that the production MUST be developed in England and that the Sherman

brothers, who had composed and written the music and lyrics for the Disney film, would not

have any input.

1“The Theosophical Society is an organization founded in New York City in 1875 to investigate the nature of the

universe and humanity's place in it, to promote understanding of other cultures, and to form a nucleus of universal

brotherhood without distinctions among all human beings.” (FAQ)


Influence of Spiritualism in World Religions on Mary Poppins novels

Travers was very interested in “mythology, mystery and fairytales”. (Avery, Cerniglia and

Royston) She traveled widely, staying with Navajo Indians near Santa Fe, going to Japan and

learning about Buddhism, and studying under the spiritual teacher George Gurdjieff.

Mary Poppins, one could say, resembles a guardian angel, daimon, or cosmic

being who comes from time to time to visit Earth. She never settles with the

Banks family for very long, but while she is there, she teaches the family,

primarily the children, about the deeper meaning of life. She does this

through magical outings with the children during the day or at night when

the children dream or wake up and seem to leave their room. Joseph

Campbell2 wrote that we must follow our bliss and that to do this, we must

put ourselves at risk and doors will open. [Think about the song “Anything Can

Happen If You Let It”.] In the Mary Poppins stories, the children follow their

bliss, always putting themselves seemingly at risk, and the universe opens for

them and, vicariously, for us. (Vachet)

Cast Resources

Mary Poppins at a Glance: A Timeline by Lexi Wixom

Nannies in the Edwardian Era (1901-1914) ~ Nannies were an inherent part of an Edwardian

household and often worked for several years for the same family. They became part of the

family more than just a servant. The nannies, not the mothers, were solely in charge of the

children.

The Life of P.L. Travers (1899-1996) ~ Helen Lyndon Goff was born in

Australia in 1899, daughter of Travers Robert Goff, a bank manager, and

Margaret Morehead Goff. Due to excessive drinking, her father died when

Helen was only seven. Helen’s mother and her three daughters then moved

2 “Joseph Campbell, was an American professor, writer, speaker, anthropologist, and mythologist...he is famous for

his work in the fields of both comparative mythology and comparative religion, and especially for his theory of

‘monomyth’, a term he borrowed from the renoun Irish writer James Joyce. This is central concept which Joseph

Campbell would also refer to as the “hero’s journey”. Joseph Campbell’s philosophy is today typically abridged to

by what would become a popular phrase of his: “Follow your bliss”. (Joseph Campbell - Biography)


in with their Aunt Ellie. When Helen was ten, her mother tried to commit suicide.

The feeling that both her parents had abandoned her became the inspiration for all her books.

The only person that Helen felt she could rely on was her Aunt, whose strict behavior was shown

more than her kindness and love for her nieces. Aunt Ellie later became the inspiration for the

character of Mary Poppins.

The Mary Poppins Books (1934-1952) ~ When she was older, Helen changed

her name to Pamela Lyndon Travers; “Travers” in honor of her father. She

published her first book in 1934 titled simply Mary Poppins. In this book, Mary

Poppins first comes to the Banks family and

becomes their nanny. When the winds blew from

the east, however, she leaves. The second book,

Mary Poppins Comes Back (1935), describes how Mary Poppins

returns, flying in on a kite string. They then meet Miss Andrew,

have an upside down tea party, and go to a circus in the sky. In the

third book, Mary Poppins Opens the Door (1943), Mary Poppins

returns once again, falling from the sky with fireworks. This time, they visit her Uncle Twigley,

make friends with a statue, and attend a garden party under the sea. Finally, in Mary Poppins in

the Park (1952), Mary Poppins and the Banks children have a tea party with the people under the

dandelions, visit cats from different planets, and have a Halloween dance party with their

shadows.

Disney’s Mary Poppins (1964) ~ After the Mary Poppins books were published,

Walt Disney sought to get the rights to make a film based on them but Travers

denied him for fifteen years. When she finally agreed, it was with the condition

that she co-author the script. The film was released in 1964, and while everyone

who attended the premier thought the movie amazing, Pamela was heartbroken.

She felt that the characters were different and the story was changed to something

she did not approve of.

Disney’s Mary Poppins Broadway Musical (2004-2008) ~

Pamela had agreed to sell the rights to Cameron Mackintosh of

the London theatre, and upon her death, the executors of her estate

fulfilled her wishes. Also, expressed in her will, she made clear

that only English-born writers, no Americans, were to have direct

involvement with making of the musical. It was directed by

Richard Eyre (King Lear, The Invention of Love) with co-

direction by Matthew Bourne (choreography for Show Boat, Oliver!).

Overall, the Mary Poppins musical had 2,619 performances. The production ran for three years

before closing in January of 2008.


Modern Nannies~ The reliance of parents on childcare has risen in the past few decades.

Today, nannies may live in or out of the house they are employed at, depending on the

preferences of the employer. They are usually certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation,

qualified in First Aid, and are extensively trained or have a degree in child development. The

average pay per hour is $16. A survey by Nanny News of 300 readers found that the median

weekly wage is now $350.

Setting of the Mary Poppins Stories

London, 1910, Autumn-Winter

Books

Mary Poppins (1934) details how Mary

Poppins first comes to live and work with

the Banks family. In it we are introduced to

the basic nature of Mary Poppins’

character and the way she interacts with the

children. Stories such as Laughing Gas, Mrs.

Corry, and The Dancing Cow show the magical

and ethereal quality that makes Mary Poppins

such a mystery. Chapter six, “Bad Tuesday” is

our first example of how Mary Poppins allows

the children to experience the frightening result

of their own actions and desires, though

ultimately rescuing them and ensuring their

safety. It ends with Mary Poppins leaving per the

conditions she had stated at the beginning, the

wind had changed. We are left with the hope of

her return, though, when she leaves a note for the

children, “Dear Jane, Michael had the compass

so the picture is for you. Au revoir,” which Mrs.

Brill the housekeeper explains means, “To Meet

Again”. (Mary Poppins)

Mary Poppins Comes Back (1936) opens with

the Banks children, who have been very naughty,

being sent off to the park by themselves to give

their mother a break. While there, the Park

Keeper asks to help them fly their kite and low

and behold, who should arrive on it but Miss


Mary Poppins herself. In the very next chapter, “Miss Andrew’s Lark” (a bit of a pun off of the

second chapter of the first book called “Miss Lark’s Andrew”) we get to see Mary Poppins win

out over the “Holy Terror” of Mr. Banks’ childhood. In the chapter, “The New One” we hear

how the last child, Annabel, is born. We get to see a great deal more of P.L. Travers’

metaphysical and mystic inclinations through Annabel who explains how she is “earth and air

and fire and water [and] came from darkness where all things have their beginning”.

Mary Poppins Opens the Door (1943) The local chimney sweep comes round to the Banks’

house to offer lucky handshakes to everyone and offers to escort the children to the park! They

are there to light off fireworks for Guy Fawkes day and Bert the Matchman is on hand to light

the fuses. Mary Poppins arrives like a rocket on Fourth of July at the end of their fun and takes

them home. They are, of course, over-joyed to see her and have her back. The children are told a

story about the Cat who went to see the Queen; then they get to spend a day in the park with

Neleus (the statue who comes to life), they get to ride magical peppermint stick like horses, and

get to go to the bottom of the sea for a special ceremony honoring Mary Poppins. At the end of

the book, Mary Poppins finally leaves for good. The family recognizes that they will never forget

her and feel the sweetness that has come into their family because of her brilliant light.

Mary Shepherd (Illustrator)

Mary Shepherd, daughter of E.H. Shepherd who illustrated the Winnie the Pooh books and Wind

in the Willows (Lipson), was hired by P.L. Travers to do the illustrations for Mary Poppins after

Travers saw one of her Christmas cards on a mantel. According to Travers, Mary Shepherd’s art

had, ''a happy imperfection, a sense of wonder.''

In an attic, Travers said, she found a wooden peg

Dutch doll with painted coal-black hair, a turned-

up nose and small, bright blue eyes that became

the model ... [Mary Shepherd] wanted the nanny to

stand in the fifth ballet position, with feet turned

out and nearly parallel, but Travers insisted on the

more comfortable

fourth position,

with the feet at right

angles.

The Dutch wooden peg

doll model. (Hamilton)


Frightening Fantasy Literature for Children

Throughout the genre of Fantasy Children’s literature, one can find evidence of stories that deal

with mature, even metaphysical, themes. Authors such as George MacDonald (At the Back of the

North Wind, Lilith, The Princess and the Goblin), J.M. Barrie (Peter and Wendy), David Handler

(Lemony Snicket series), the Brothers Grimm (Grimm’s Fairytales) and P.L. Travers (Mary

Poppins series) have written stories where the children, adults, and readers learn many lessons

through the various adventures and hardships that the children go though.

(I would like to note that there are probably many other authors in other cultures that would fall

into this list, but my own experience so far limits me to Western authors. If you are aware of any,

PLEASE let me know! ~ Rebecca Hammonds)

Mary Poppins and Other Magical Characters

Nanny McPhee is perhaps more like that Mary Poppins in the books than

the one that Disney showed us in the fact that when she uses her magic, it

is to teach a lesson; and sometimes the lessons are scary and hard. Mary,

like Nanny McPhee, allows the children’s actions to have their own

consequences…to certain point. They are not, however, interested in

squelching or harming the children through real abuse, unlike Ms.

Andrews when she comes to the Banks house.

(Mary Poppins, Doc Brown, James

Bond, Willy Wonka, the Doctor, Ms.

Frizzle, Gandalf, and Santa Claus.)

(TravistheGeek)

The creator of this picture was seeking to

share his idea of potential Time Lords as

well as things that are bigger on the

inside than they are on the outside. (For the Narnia fans, that could also be included.) The main

point is that Fantasy authors have, over the last century, been creating unique characters who are

Mary Poppins in the Park (Travers), Mary

Poppins standing in fourth position.


able to help others through the use of extraordinary abilities. We might ask what this tells us

about ourselves (but perhaps that is getting too deep). At the very least it seems helpful in

understanding Mary Poppins to compare her, and her strange ways that she never explains, with

others equally mercurial and helpful.

Nanny/Governess Stories

The Sound of Music

Jane Eyre

The Nanny Diaries

Miss Potter

The Nanny (TV Show)

Nanny McPhee (adapted from the

Nurse Matilda books)

The Help (the character of Aibileen

Clark)

Eloise

Harriet the Spy (the nanny Ole

Golly)

Edwardian Economy

The Banks family is wealthy enough to hire nannies. That puts them in level H in the table

below. This security is placed in danger when Mr. Banks turns down a potential investment

opportunity for the bank. The stress of this drives Mr. Banks to reevaluate his priorities and how

he has been spending his time. Walking back to the bank, he passes the bird woman.

As he walks thoughtfully through the lonely streets towards his place of work the

Cathedral stands at the end quietly as a reminder of the event that caused his

troubles. He stands in front of the Cathedral realizing that the lucky life he led

might take turn for the worse. He is beginning to understand that it might not have

been the poor woman’s fault that she has to beg in front of the Cathedral. There

are other circumstances involved. It seems some higher power gave him a lesson

to open his eyes to see that there are other things apart from his work that need his

attention. It does not pay off to overlook them. Luckily, the event changed him for

his own good as well as for the good of the rest of the family and he later also

regained the work in the bank. (Matoušková)

Booth

Classification

Description of Class

A The lowest class which consists of some occasional labourers, street sellers, loafers,

criminals and semi-criminals. Their life is the life of savages, with vicissitudes of

extreme hardship and their only luxury is drink

B Casual earnings, very poor. The labourers do not get as much as three days’ work a

week, but it is doubtful if many could or would work full time for long together if they

had the opportunity. Class B is not one in which men are born and live and die so much


as a deposit of those who from mental, moral and physical reasons are incapable of

better work

C Intermittent earning. 18s to 21s per week for a moderate family. The victims of

competition and on them falls with particular severity the weight of recurrent

depressions of trade. Labourers, poorer artisans and street sellers. This irregularity of

employment may show itself in the week or in the year: stevedores and waterside

porters may secure only one of two days' work in a week, whereas labourers in the

building trades may get only eight or nine months in a year.

D Small regular earnings. Poor, regular earnings. Factory, dock, and warehouse

labourers, carmen, messengers and porters. Of the whole section none can be said to

rise above poverty, nor are many to be classed as very poor. As a general rule they

have a hard struggle to make ends meet, but they are, as a body, decent steady men,

paying their way and bringing up their children respectably.

E Regular standard earnings, 22s to 30s per week for regular work, fairly comfortable. As

a rule the wives do not work, but the children do: the boys commonly following the

father, the girls taking local trades or going out to service.

F Higher class labour and the best paid of the artisans. Earnings exceed 30s per week.

Foremen are included, city warehousemen of the better class and first hand lightermen;

they are usually paid for responsibility and are men of good character and much

intelligence.

G Lower middle class. Shopkeepers and small employers, clerks and subordinate

professional men. A hardworking sober, energetic class.

H Upper middle class, servant keeping class.

(London School of Economics & Political Science)

British Coins

Penny – 1 Penny

Pence – more than 1 Penny, 100 p = 1 pound, 6 pence back then equals 2.5 pence today (tender –

2 pence, 5 pence, 10 pence, 20 pence, 50 pence)

Pounds – (tender – 1 pound, 2 pounds)

Shilling – also called a bob, 5 pence,

Half Crown – 2 shillings and sixpence

Sixpence – equals six pence

British Paper Money or Notes

Pounds (tender – 5 pounds, 10 pounds, 20 pounds, 50 pounds)

For more information on British Money of the period, visit

http://www.studium.com/2/viccoins.html.

http://www.studium.com/2/viccoins.html


Character Analyses (Notes will be about Character Descriptions-CD, references to the Books,

and explanations of various things. Quotes and page numbers are included so you can easily

find it in the script. It is desirable for you to go through your script and analyze it yourself to

get a firm grasp on your character arc and those of the other characters. This will help you as

you meet with the director or work on your character independently. You might even talk with

the other actors and ask them to explain how they are interpreting their character.)

Mary Poppins

CD - “George and Winifred Banks live here...” (p10). Mary Poppins has an ageless kind

of nature and addresses people with the familiarity that comes easy to older and wiser

people. (Mrs. Corry and Bert are also like this.)

CD - “There’s no objection on that score I hope?” (p 10) As in the books, Mary Poppins

is vain about her looks, though Travers makes it clear that she is not particularly a beauty,

she is “smart” in the way she dresses.

“a child whose word I can depend on” (p13). Mary Poppins stresses to Michael the value

of truthfulness.

Mary Poppins’ Bag

o In mythology (and gaming) it is often called a “Holding Bag”. Examples would

include the bag that was given to Perseus for the head of Medusa, Santa Claus’

bag of presents, and (not a bag) the time machine from Doctor Who, the Tardis.

CD - “Your list? I’m not an item in the weekly shop, thank you very much.” (p 14) This

is the kind of thing Mary Poppins says a lot in the book. She is easily insulted.

CD - “Will you stay tender when the going gets tough?” “Quite the contrary.” (p 16)

Though she is not harsh like Miss Andrew, Mary Poppins is firm and strong. She does

not “mollycoddle” the children. She is more interested in their improvement than in their

false happiness.

CD – “We hope you’ll stay”. “No flies on me”. (p 17) Mary Poppins is expressing the

fact that she doesn’t wait around. She keeps on moving. Similar to “I don’t let the grass

grow (under my feet).”

CD – “I’ll stay until the wind changes.” (p 27) Mary several of these, “I’ll stay until

_______” throughout the books. (i.e. until the chain breaks, until the door opens, etc)

The song “Feed the Birds” is symbolic of the poor people and of the bird woman herself.

“Their young ones are hungry, their nests are so bare, all it takes is tuppence from you.”

This kindness is blessed by God and the angels who look down and smile on the us when

we care for others.

Miss Andrew has a “heavy bag” as opposed to Mary Poppins’ “empty bag”. Symbolism -

pretention and tradition vs unsuspecting and surprisingly effective.

CD - Mary Poppins and Miss Andrew have different methods for childrearing. Mary

Poppins allows the children to learn through play and holds them accountable for their


actions. Miss Andrew basically wants to create little robots who are all work and no play

and no affection.

In Mary Poppins Comes Back, Mary Poppins is reeled in by Michael and the Park Keeper

on a kite.

Mary Poppins, in the show, is almost Shakespearean in the way she responds to other

people. She uses play on words, double meanings, and often iambic pentameter.

o “Your ‘eart starts beatin’ like a big brass band.” “You’ve got enough brass for all

of us.”

o “Standing for tradition I govern my charges.” “Mishandled charges blow up in

your face.”

o “A shining example, a pillar.” “A post!”

Mary Poppins does not explain what happened to Miss Andrew in the book or the show.

In fact, she never explains anything and often denies any magical thing has happened at

all.

CD – “That should be my Epitaph: I wear the badge in honor of this world’s free

thinkers.” (p 113) Mary Poppins preaches a gospel of freedom from the past that was

very in-tune with the turn of the century. Many changes were occurring and this story

encourages people to rethink what they’ve been taught, to evaluate it and see if perhaps

they need to make a change.

East Wind – Symbolic

o East wind symbolizes change from the symbolic east, the place of enlightenment.

PL Travers was very interested in eastern enlightenment. (Alegro) Some consider

Mary Poppins, who is very old herself, to be blown there by the wind (a knowing

force) to bring enlightenment and change to the Banks family.


Mr. George Banks

The way in which George Banks gets his coat and hat in a flurry as he goes out

the door (and the trouble with Robertson Aye putting boot polish on his hat)

comes straight out of the books.

Victorian and Edwardian marital roles are shown here by the way George requires

Winifred to run the house and keep up a social calendar.

CD - “Whilst I remain the sovereign of Cherry Tree Lane” (p 9)

o How does George’s understanding of his role in the household and family

change over the course of the show? It is often said that the person who

changes the most in a show is the Protagonist. Is it reasonable to say that

George changes the most? Is that why people have focused so much, as in

Saving Mr. Banks, on

CD - “Nothing domestic has anything to do with me!” (p11) George is an absent

father, and his lack of desire to have input in the home makes it hard for him to

give input when he actually has something he wants done. Selective fathering

doesn’t work.

CD – “I used to love astronomy at his age. My nanny, Miss Andrew, soon beat it

out of me.” (p 29) As a boy, he knew how to “play”, he must rediscover that

ability to be the father he can be.

CD – “Let’s hope she will stay.” “Let’s hope she will stay.” “Precision and

Order”. (p 31) George is out of step with the rest of the family.

"Tuppence means Two Pence"...or 2 pennies. The point in the story was that the

father had completely been subsumed by the interests of the monolithic, greedy

establishment represented by The Bank, and had forgotten the value of little

things (literally and figuratively). The Bank was loath to allow the child to keep

his two cents, and the father was supporting the wants of The Establishment over

the wants of his child, a clear source of the dysfunction in his family. Two cents is


such a tiny sum that the bank's determination to take even that highlights the

depth of the greed and depravity of The Establishment, while the father's

determination to serve his master (The Bank) shows that the Establishment has

drained him of even compassion for his child. Only after he is terminated

(separated from The Establishment), can he feel compassion for his children and

begin to heal his family.” (keltillos)

CD – from pages 44-45

o He is not without a sense of humor, though he rarely shows it.

o As a child he was kept away from his parents, seeing them only once a

week. (Imagine that!)

o His father would have been very annoyed to see him.

o He was kept in Miss Andrew’s control at all times.

o He didn’t receive physical affection.

o Affection wasn’t modeled for him and so he has a hard time showing it.

To him, affection is “soppy nonsense”.3

“You’ve got to grind, grind, grind, at that grindstone, though childhood slips like

sand through a sieve. And all too soon they’ve up and grown, and then they’ve

flown, and it’s too late for you to give just that spoonful of sugar to ‘elp the

medicine go down, the medicine go down, the medicine go down...” (p 109)

o Bert reminds George that he must choose to make a difference in his

children’s lives now. And often it isn’t the money and provision that they

need. It’s the attitude that supports and encourages them in their troubles.

The sugar that makes it easier to swallow the pills in life.

“I would take it as a great favor if you would kindly feed them for me.” (p 114)

George has learned his lesson. Suffering and worry have helped to soften his

heart, as has the kindness of his wife and children in offering him comfort.

Mrs. Winifred Banks

Victorian and Edwardian marital roles are shown here by the way George requires

Winifred to run the house and keep up a social calendar.

Winifred’s strength is the hidden backbone in the show. Her love heals many

wounds and maintains bridges. (p 61)

Jane Banks

“Thoughtless, short-tempered and untidy.” (p 14) This isn’t just something that the tape

says, this is an accurate description of who Michael is many times. Be sure it is included

in your character development.

3 Studies have shown that physical affection is required for healthy mental and emotional growth and well-being –

most especially in children. (Bergland)


On page 61, the children are pushed so hard that they develop some very bad attitudes

that lead them into the situation where Mary Poppins sings “Playing the Game” and

leaves.

In the same way that Mr. Banks has been harsh with his children, the children are harsh

with their toys.

Even when Mary Poppins leaves, the kids will have a supportive community: Family and

Chimney Sweeps!

Mary Poppins gives Jane her locket as a farewell gift. (122) She also does this in the

books.

Michael Banks

“a child whose word I can depend on” (p13). Mary Poppins stresses to Michael the value

of truthfulness.

CD - “A noisy, mischievous, troublesome boy”. (p 14) This isn’t just something that the

tape says, this is an accurate description of who Michael is many times. Be sure it is

included in your character development.

CD - “Fair” (p 17) Michael whines a lot. This falls under the “troublesome” part of the

measuring tape description.

CD – When Michael first meets Bert, he insults him, but Bert turns into a best friend.

On page 61, the children are pushed so hard that they develop some very bad attitudes

that lead them into the situation where Mary Poppins sings “Playing the Game” and

leaves.

In the same way that Mr. Banks has been harsh with his children, the children are harsh

with their toys.


Chimney Sweeps!

Michael asks for the moon (p119). He also asks for it in Mary Poppins Comes Back,

chapter seven.

Michael asks to go back to the heavens and Mary says that he will someday but not yet.

She is referring to his death.

Mary Poppins gives Michael her telescope as a farewell gift. (p 120) She also does this in

the books. It scares him at first because she’s never that nice and sentimental.

Bert

CD – When Michael first meets Bert, he insults him, but Bert turns into a best friend.

Bert doesn’t take notice of Michael’s rudeness. He is older and wiser than that. He

charms them out of their bad humor.

Lucky Chimney Sweeps (p 61)



Chimney Sweeps!

Bert gives Mary some flowers that he takes out of his drawing. (p 121) Also in Mary

Poppins Opens the Door chapter 8.

Mrs. Brill

Mrs. Brill takes her work very seriously. In the books she had been with the family for

years, as was common in those days, and she must put up with the various intricacies of

the family members. She’s a common woman, dedicated to her work and doesn’t usually

have a mind to think about or understand Mary Poppins’ odd way of carrying out her

duties. Between her cooking and cleaning (and keeping Robertson Aye out of trouble),

she has plenty to keep her busy. But she is a very capable woman of experience.

Robertson Aye

Robertson Aye is described in the books as one who can sleep ANYWHERE and OFTEN

gets his duties wrong. In the show, as in the book, he has accidently used boot polish on

Mr. Banks’ hat.

Miss Andrew

Miss Andrew has a “heavy bag” as opposed to Mary Poppins’ “empty bag”. Symbolism -

pretention and tradition vs unsuspecting and surprisingly effective.

Miss Andrew’s story in the musical is adapted very closely from the original in chapter

two of Mary Poppins Comes Back.

She is known as the “Holy Terror” by her previous charges (Mr. Banks, and the

Chairman).

Mary Poppins and Miss Andrew have different methods for childrearing. Mary Poppins

allows the children to learn through play and holds them accountable for their actions.

Miss Andrew basically wants to create little robots who are all work and no play and no

affection.

The Lark - Symbolism

o In Lakota and Dakota mythology, the Lark was the messenger from the god of the

South Wind (wind is a motif in Mary Poppins). It is associated with the Sun,

warmth, light and life and represents the ideas of happiness, marriage, and beauty.

(Pure Spirit)

o The Lark represents the Banks family, and George in particular. The Lark, like

George, must be freed from the cage of Miss Andrew’s influence and dominance.


Miss Lark

In the books, Miss Lark is a prim old lady who takes care of her dog Andrew like a son.

She talks to him, has him driven to the groomers in her carriage, dresses him, and won’t

let him cavort with mongrels and mutts.

o “All day long, no matter where the children were, they could hear Miss Lark call-

ing, in a very loud voice, things like:

‘Andrew, where are you?’ or

‘Andrew; you mustn’t go out without your overcoat!’ or

‘Andrew, come to Mother!’”

o “Andrew, Andrew, come in, my darling! Come away from those dreadful street

arabs!” (Mary Poppins)

“It was a very grand house, by far the grandest in Cherry Tree Lane. Even Admiral

Boom had been known to envy Miss Lark her wonderful house, though his own had

funnels instead of chimneys and a flagstaff in the front garden.” (Mary Poppins)

“Miss Lark had two gates. One was for Miss Lark’s friends

and relations, and the other for the Butcher and the Baker and the Milkman.” (Mary

Poppins)

For a good example of this character watch the Cranford movie and look at the Mrs.

Jamieson character.4

Mrs. Corry

CD – from page 50

o Owns the only conversation shop

o Older than anyone else in the world

o Sells gingerbread with gold stars on them

Admiral Boom

Admiral Boom is a magical character in the books. He seems to know Mary Poppins

when she arrives and knows that she is special. He also attends various magical outings,

such as the Birthday dance under the sea in Mary Poppins Opens the Door.

Bird Woman

“The song sounds piteous and it is as if there was a comparison of the birds with the poor

of the day. She sings about people that do not see her and her suffering and it is

immediately certain she means Mr. Banks who walks past her every day without ever

paying attention to her or giving her any money.” (Matoušková)

4 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0974077/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Cranford (2007), starring Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, and Julia McKenzie

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0974077/?ref_=nv_sr_1


St.

Paul’s Cathedral, London

Park Keeper

The Park Keeper’s love of the kite is found at the beginning of Mary Poppins Comes

Back. He has an interesting relationship with Mary Poppins. He observes some of the

fantastical things that she causes and has a hard time understanding or dealing with it and

is often chided by Mary Poppins for his behavior. (e.g. during “Jolly Holiday” when

Neleus is gone from his pedestal and then returns.)

Neleus

Neleus’ character comes from Mary Poppins Opens the Door.

“Neleus was exposed as a child. When he and his twin brother were grown up they killed

their stepmother Sidero. Having been banished,

he came to Messenia and founded Pylos. Some

have said that Neleus is son of Hippocoon 4, but

others affirm that he was the son of Cretheus 1,

son of Aeolus 1, son of Hellen 1 (the eponym of

the Hellenes), son of Deucalion 1, the man who

survived the Flood. Still others say that Neleus'

father was Poseidon, and that his mother was

Tyro, daughter of Salmoneus and Alcidice.

Salmoneus was son of Aeolus 1; so if Neleus

were the son of Cretheus 1, he would have to be

the cousin of Tyro, who is otherwise called his

mother. Tyro's mother Alcidice was daughter of

Aleus, an Arcadian king son of Aphidas 1, son of Arcas 1, son of Zeus and Callisto.”

(Neleus)

“Wouldn’t you miss your father if you hardly ever saw him?” “I’ll have to think about

that.” (p 26) Neleus represents children who are, in one way or another, abandoned by

http://www.maicar.com/GML/Callisto.html


their fathers. He represents children who miss the intimacy of a father figure. At the same

time he lives in joy and hope, keeping the “Spoonful of sugar” attitude.

Herr Von Hussler

CD – His name (i.e. Hussler) is a hint into his character.

Mr. John Northbrook

CD – Name hint (John = everyman, Northbrook = northerner)

“No man should be too busy for his own children.” That is a major theme of the

show.

CD - “Well, it’s never too early to learn its value...” (p 44) Mr. Northbrook

understands the true value of both people and money. He reminds Mr. Banks.

Mr. Northbrook points out that there is a difference between value and worth. A

certain coin is worth sixpence, but how you spend it determines its value.

If you wish to see an example of a factory owner from northern England, take a

look at the movie North and South. 5

Travers and Disney

Saving Mr. Banks

Saving Mr. Banks (2013) describes the process by which author P.L.

Travers collaborated with Disney and the Sherman brothers to create the

beloved Disney film Mary Poppins. Based off of the biography Mary

Poppins, She Wrote: The Life of P. L. Travers by Valerie Lawson, the

film shows the prickly author fighting the Disney team at every turn

while including flashbacks to her childhood and the death of her father. This movie was the first

to expose the very private P.L. Travers to the eyes of the world at large.

Adaptation: From Books to Movie to Musical

You see, the goal here was to create an entirely new entertainment experience.

Something that would merge familiar elements from the “Mary Poppins”

movie with scenes & characters that had been drawn from the eight books

that P.L. Travers wrote. (Hill)

Below is a compilation of some of the major differences between the books, movie, and musical.

(Many taken from Hill’s article.)

5 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417349/?ref_=tt_rec_tt North and South (2004), starring Richard Armitage

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417349/?ref_=tt_rec_tt


There are actually 5 banks children. When Mary Poppins comes, there are Jane

and Michael and the baby twins John and Barbara. (They are able to speak to the

wind and animals until they turn one, then they lose the ability.) In Mary Poppins:

Comes Back the last baby, Annabel, is born.

The musical does not include the “I Love to Laugh” scene from the movie.

The “Jolly Holiday” song has been changed significantly for the show. The

primary change, perhaps, being the removal of the animals (penguins, turtles,

farm animals) and the insertion of the “statuary”, especially Neleus. Neleus has a

whole chapter written about him in Mary Poppins: Opens the Door. MacFarlane

suggests that this inclusion is to help the children reclaim their playfulness and

that this later bares fruit in their father’s ability to reclaim his. (Macfarlane)

The addition of other characters from the books: Robertson Aye (the servant),

Miss Andrews (Mr. Banks’ old nanny), and Mrs. Corry (different from in the

books, but a friend of Mary Poppins and conspirator in magical learning

experiences).

o In the books, Robertson Aye’s household duties are

listed: to cut the lawn and clean the knives and polish the shoes. However,

he is best known for his ability to fall asleep anywhere, especially in the

middle of his duties…which he usually does wrong.

o The story of Miss Andrews is retold from the books with relative

accuracy. She does believe in “brimstone and treacle”, and Mary Poppins

does ultimately get rid of her by putting her into the birdcage. However,

Mary Poppins seems to have been more concerned about the fact that Ms.

Andrews called her a “young person” and insulted her ability to watch the

children, rather than feeling the need to defeat an abusive caretaker.

o Mrs. Corry, introduced in the first Mary Poppins book, is an ancient

woman with two gigantic daughters. She owns a gingerbread shop that

Mary brings Jane, Michael, Barbra, and John to. The gingerbread cookies

are in the shape of stars and have gold paper on the bottom. Later, after the

cookies have been eaten, Mary Poppins sneaks out of the house with the

gold paper stars to meet Mrs. Corry. Her two daughters, Fannie and Annie,

hold up giant ladders so that Mary and Mrs. Corry can climb up and paste

the stars into the sky. There is an allusion to Mrs. Corry in the Disney

film, at the beginning, when Bert sings:

"Ah, Mrs. Corry. A story for you.

Your daughters was shorter than you.

But they grew."

The idea of stars is used toward the end of the musical, especially by the

character of Mr. Banks. He tells us that he loves astronomy and he has

been saving his gold stars in the crock above the door for years.


“the "Mary Poppins" production team had really grown quite fond of

Annie, Fannie and their diminutive mother. Which is why it was decided t-

hat the Corrys' sweet shop would now become the setting for

‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.’” (Hill)

The Broadway writers used the chapter “Bad Wednesday” as the inspiration for

the new song, “Temper, Temper”, later changed to “Playing the Game”.

The musical borrows from the books by having Mary Poppins leave and then

return, hanging on to the string of a kite (Mary Poppins Comes Back).

Mary Poppins Film

Disney’s film Mary Poppins came out “in a blaze of glory in 1964”. (Hughes)

It is well loved for its music, color, high energy, and endearing characters.

Like the Ms. Hughes, author of the article, What Saving Mr. Banks Tells Us

about the Original Mary Poppins, the transition to either the original books or

the stage musical can be a little frustrating. It is not surprising that for those

who love the child friendly film, the dark, mythological, egocentric Mary

Poppins of the show and most certainly of the books can be disappointing. It

is, perhaps on this front, that productions of the show face their greatest struggle. Disney purists

may well be disappointed with the stage version if they come unprepared. The production must

thread the difficult need of being as much like the books AND as much like the movie as

possible.

Richard and Robert Sherman (Music and Lyrics)

The Sherman brothers were hired by Walt Disney as Staff

Song writers. Their credits include: “It’s a Small World

(After All)” (1964), songs for the film Mary Poppins (1964),

songs for the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), an award-

winning production of Tom Sawyer (1973) at the Moscow

Film Festival, The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of

Cinderella (1976) a production of a modern Cinderella

performed for Queen Elizabeth, The Jungle Book (1967), The AristoCats (1970), The Parent

Trap (1961), The Parent Trap (1998), Charlotte’s Web (1973), Bedknobs and Broomsticks

(1971), Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1989) and The Many Adventures of Winnie the

Pooh (1977). (Robert B. Sherman)


Broadway

Images and Motifs

A few of the images and motifs have to do with stars, sky, wind, and bright colors of Disney.

Original Sets

Mary Poppins on Broadway


Model of the set

Model of set


The Bank set

“We won’t forget you Mary Poppins.”


Original Costumes

“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!”

Cherry Tree Lane


“Playing the Game”

Production History

Bristol (Hippodrome)

Mary Poppins work-shopped in 2003 at the Old Vic Theatre “using the cast of My Fair Lady,

which had just closed in the West End”. (DisneyWikia) Auditions were heled at the Bristol

Hippodrome in September 2004.

Previews started September 15, 2004 before officially opening September 18 “for a limited

engagement until November 6”.

London (Prince Edward Theatre)

Opened: December 15, 2004

Closed: January 12, 2008

Cast: Laura Michelle Kelly (Mary Poppins), Gavin Lee (Bert) (replacements: Scarlett Strallen

and Lisa O’Hare as Mary Poppins and Gavin Creel as Bert)

Awards: Best Actress in a Musical and Best Theatre Choreography – Olivier Awards (2004)

(DisneyWikia)


The show sparked mild controversy not long after its debut when producers

Cameron MacKintosh and Thomas Schumacher banned children below 3 years

old from entering the theatre, deeming the show too scary for young children. The

ban remained throughout the show’s entire run, during which the threatre staff

were to prevent patrons with children below 3 to enter. The show was officially

tagged as being “for children seven years and up”. (DisneyWikia)

Broadway (New Amsterdam)

Opened: Nov 16, 2006

Performances: 2,619

The Broadway production differed from the London production in that the

“Jolly Holiday” sequence was staged in full technicolour instead of the gray

tones of the London show, and in “Anything Can Happen” the stars to the

heavens were replaced by a large version of Mary Poppins’ umbrella entering

from the stage floor. T1hese changers were later transferred back to the West

End production. (DisneyWikia)

Original Cast: Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins), Daniel H. Jenkins (Mr. Banks), Gavin Lee (Bert),

Rebecca Luker (Mrs. Banks), Ruth Gottschall (Ms. Andrews), Katherine Doherty (Jane),

Kathryn Faughtnan (Jane), Jane Carr (Jane), Matthew Gumley (Michael), Henry Hodges

(Michael), Michael McCarty (Michael)

Awards: Best Scenic Design of a Musical – Tony (2007); Gavin Lee – Theatre World Award

(2007); Outstanding Set Design of a Musical and Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical –

Drama Desk Award (2007)

Tour and Other Productions

2008 UK Tour

2008 Goteborg

2009 US Tour

2009 Helsinki

2009 Budapest

2010 Copenhagen

2010 Czech Republic

2010 The Hague

2010 Melbourne

2011 Sydney

2011 Tartu

2012 Auckland

2012 Brisbane

2012 Mexico

2013 Maine

2013 Wichita

2013 US Tour- the two

North America Tours had a

combined performance

total of 73 in 34 states plus

D.C.

(DisneyWikia)


Themes and Messages

Value

The creators of Mary Poppins go to great lengths to stress the idea of Value. They ask the

questions, “What is it that we value? How do we place value on things intentionally and

unintentionally? Do we value money and “appearances” over people and the things within our

care?” Jane and Michael learn how to value their parents, their toys, money (in its place), and

other people who seem “less” than them. George learns to value his family more than his job, his

wealth, and even his pride. He learns to value the people he sees rather than passing them over.

These are valuable lessons for us.

Change

When we look at the Broadway production of Mary Poppins, it is not hard to see most of the

lessons that it seeks to teach us. One particularly blatant lesson is the idea of CHANGE. We’ve

already seen in this packet that the very wind itself in the Mary Poppins books is a symbol of

change, and that idea runs right through the show. “Anything can happen if you let it”,

“nothing’s ever set in stone”, “troubles aren’t as bad as they seem (p 99), “Childhood is a step in

time, parenthood’s the same. Never miss a chance to get it right” (p 101). Mary Poppins and Bert

work in the lives of the Banks family to help them see that they don’t have to follow the model

that has been set for them. They can, and should, change for the better. Then, they can be the

new model of change for others.

Play

Playing is very important in Mary Poppins. There is symbolism in the show to point us toward

this direction, as well as a few overt references. As mentioned before, the Lark in act two is a

symbol. In Native American tradition, the Lark represented joy, family, happy marriages, etc.

When Miss Andrew puts the Lark in a cage, he is not free to play and fly. The Lark represents

the Banks family. Miss Andrew represents those who cage people’s joy and playfulness. Mary

Poppins frees them. This idea is shown more dramatically in songs like “Playing the Game”.

When the children can’t play nicely with their toys, their “dependents”, it points to the fact that

Mr. Banks can’t play nicely with his “dependents”. He, like they, gets upset and mistreats them

because he is so focused on his own life. Like the children, he doesn’t, initially, regard his

dependents as having individual value in which he might invest. (Bert later helps him to rethink

this when he sings about George’s ability to provide just that spoonful of sugar to help his kids

when they’re young; before they’ve flown away from him.) After the children run away from

Miss Andrew, Bert encourages their playfulness and love by taking them to fly a kite. “Let’s go

fly a kite” introduces another way of playing that builds family relationships. Playing and

joyfulness contribute to love and peace.


Making a Difference

The characters in Mary Poppins all struggle with making a difference in the lives of others. Mr.

Banks thinks that “Precision and Order” are the way to help his family succeed. The Banks

children must learn that they, in fact, can make a difference in the lives of their parents. Mrs.

Banks goes through the whole show aching to help her husband, and in the end finds the strength

to do it. The Chimney Sweeps remind the children that, if they ever need a friend, the Sweeps

will “Step in Time”. The Bird Woman also is a symbol for making a difference in the lives of the

unfortunate, as is Mr. Banks’ decision to grant a loan to the more deserving man.

In the song “Anything Can Happen If You Let It”, Mary Poppins reminds the family that

sometimes the only things stopping your success is you. But if you allow your love for family

and friends to guide you, you can overcome much! (We believe this at CRT. That’s why we like

to donate to Non-Profits. We want to Step in Time to help others!)

Growing Up

Jane and Michael learn that to be the Practically Perfect children (and adults) Mary Poppins

wants them to be, they must learn to think of others. Playing with their toys nicely (“Playing the

Game”), being supportive of parents, being polite, being generous (“Feed the Birds”), keeping a

positive attitude even during frustrating circumstances (“Spoonful of Sugar”), and learning to

hold your temper. These are all things that young people must learn to do. (It is also nice if they

learn how to spell Supercalifragalisticexpialidociously long words!)

Glossary

Word Definition

"a diamond

in the rough" someone who has hidden value

"a rum go" an unforeseen turn of events, a surprising occurrence

"A smoke

near the

gasworks for

good

measure" an equally disastrous idea

"blood is

blue" from nobility or royalty, from the upper crust

"bloody"

used to express anger or to emphasize what you are saying in a slightly rude

way


"cor"

A slang word used by the British, often as employed by those with a cockney

accent. Meaning God. (urbandictionar.com)

"doesn't

make much

odds" it's pretty certain

"ei"

"feeling in

the wars" feeling stressed and attacked, feeling bad

"lost your

marbles"

double meaning in the show: crazy or referring to the fact that the statues are

made of marble

"lummy" British exclamation of surprise, from "Lord love me"

"neither use

nor

ornament" neither useful nor just nice to look at

"spit-spot" "chop-chop", hurry-hurry

"take the

bloomin'

biscuit"

You say that something or someone (really) takes the biscuit when it or they

have done something that you find extremely annoying or surprising:

"tommy rot" utter foolishness

"twilit" twilight

Aborning in birth, being born, coming into fruition

Accrue to increase in value and grow over time

Atrocious terrible

Au revoir French: until we meet again

Backchat gossip or bantering conversation

Bereft to have had something taken from you

Blighters a person who is unpleasant

Brass

double meaning in the show: Bert had just sung about a brass band (a band with

brass instruments like trumpets and trombones), but now Mary means "cheek,

impudence, or self-assurance"

Brimstone sulfur, used with treacle to purge the body by vomiting

British

Empire

At the height of Queen Victoria's reign, England ruled lands all over the globe.

It was said that the sun never set on the British Empire.

Busker

a street entertainer, usually involving instruments (i.e. in the Disney movie, Bert

opens by playing his musical contraption and entertaining the crowd)

Carbolic

Soap a soap containing carbolic acid, it is often used to treat skin problems

Castor Oil has a horrible taste and works as a laxative, comes from the castor oil plant

Cat whip


Codfish

(And isn't that just what someone looks like with their mouth hanging open?)

Cod-liver Oil

was dark brown and had a bitter taste, was administered for children who didn't

get enough sunlight (vitamin D)

Demented thinking and behaving irrationally

Disposition a person's inherit traits and qualities

Doff take off

Dominate us be too strict and demanding

Druids a priest or magician in the Celtic (Irish) religion

Efficiency getting things done quickly and well

Ferocious fierce, intense

Forethought thinking beforehand

Forte talent or skill

Gruel

a light, usually thin, cooked cereal made by boiling meal, especiallyoatmeal, in

water or milk.

Halitotious breath, bad breath

Heirloom an item that has been passed down through the generations of a family

Hieroglyph Egyptian writing

Hypnotious to hypnotize, to influence or control someone through hypnotism

Immobile not able to move

Impertinent rude

Ingratitude not grateful

Jaunty

Saunter to go for a walk looking trim and with a spring in your step

Keen eager

Larval Larva, a caterpillar before it matures into a butterfly or moth

Lexicons a dictionary for another language, especially Latin, Greek and Hebrew

Mongrels of mixed breeds

Monoliths an obelisk, column, large statue, formed from a single block of stone

Myth a fable, an old story often with superhuman characters

Need Winifred is asking to they "socially" need a nanny, not logistically

Paragon a model or pattern of excellence, someone of exceptional merit


Patently something the be relied on, like a warranty, "I guarantee it"

Pirouette

Dance term, an act of spinning on one foot, typically with the raised foot

touching the knee of the supporting leg.

Precocious premature development, unusually advanced or mature

Promenade to walk in a stately way

Punitive

Action a punishing action

Saint Paul's a cathedral in London

Screever defined in the show, someone who draws pictures on the sidewalk

Spectacles glasses

Stalwart strong

Theatrics theatrical, dramatic, overly emotional, exaggerating

Tinctures a slight infusion, a solution of alcohol and a drug

Treacle molasses, especially that which is drained from the vats used in sugar refining

Tuppence "Tuppence" means "Two Pence"...or "2 pennies".

Uncanny having a supernatural ability, beyond ordinary

Witty intelligent, characterized by wit, clever

Yardarm nautical term: the outer portion of the sail

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mary poppins musical - dramaturgy packet (for california regional theatre, chico)

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