MARY POPPINS

Characters:

Mary Poppins- the mysterious nanny

Bert - Mary’s fun-loving friend

Jane Banks - 8 years old

Michael Banks - 6 years old

Mr Banks - their rather grumpy Father

Mrs Banks - the children’s Mother

Songs:

The Perfect Nanny

A Spoonful Of Sugar

Jolly Holiday

Let’s Go Fly A Kite

Scene 1 - the Banks’ family home

Mr Banks: Winifred, where are the children?

Mrs Banks: They’re not here dear Mr Banks: What? Of course they’re here. Where else would they be? Mrs Banks: I don’t know George Mr Banks: You don’t know?! Mrs Banks: Well, they’re missing Mr Banks: Missing?! (shouting) Get me the police station right away!

(Jane & Michael arrive home, all flustered)

Mrs Banks: Ah, here they are dear Mr Banks: Jane, Michael! Where on earth have you been? Off to the nursery right this minute and we’ll have no more of this nonsense!

(the children run off, but peer round the wings to listen)

Mrs Banks: I don’t know how we’re going to deal with them George. Now that the nanny has gone, what are we going to do? Mr Banks: Well, we’ll simply have to advertise for a new one. Again! Mrs Banks: Oh yes dear, of course. I’ll get onto it - right away dear.

(they exit stage left, enter Jane & Michael stage right)

Scene 2 - the nursery

Jane: I feel bad about running away from Katie Nanna today. It was wrong of us just to lose her like that.

Michael: Yes, but it was very windy - and the kite was just too strong for us. I do wish Father would take us to fly our kites in the park, instead of just the nannies. Jane: I know, so do I. But he’s always too busy. What we need is a new nanny to take us out. Michael: Well, you heard what Father said. we’ll have to advertise for one! Jane: Oh Michael, what a splendid idea!

SONG : The Perfect Nanny

(Enter Mary Poppins, the children look surprised)

Mary Poppins: My, my, what have we here? Hmmm, (she takes out a tape measure) Michael Banks, just as I thought: extremely stubborn and suspicious! And Jane: rather inclined to giggle, doesn’t put things away.

(Michael looks shocked, his mouth is open)

Mary Poppins: Close your mouth please Michael. We are not a codfish! Michael: But who are you? Mary Poppins: Well, let’s see now (tape measure) Ah yes, just as I thought: Mary Poppins - practically perfect in every way! Jane: Practically perfect? Mary Poppins: That’s right! And I can see I have my work cut out for me with you two. Michael: (whispering to Jane) Oooh , she’s tricky! Jane: Are you the new nanny? Mary Poppins: We’ll see. I usually deal with naughty children who need to learn to know their place. (Jane & Michael look at each other) Now, let’s start by tidying up this mess.

SONG: Spoonful Of Sugar

(by the end of the song the children are happy & smiling)

Mary Poppins: Now there - that’s better! Michael: Oh Mary Poppins, will you take us to the park? Jane: Oooh, yes, yes! Father is always much too busy. Jane & Michael: Please! Mary Poppins: The park, eh? Well, come along then, coats and scarves on. Best foot forward, spit spot, and off we go!

Scene 3 - the park

(they exit stage right. Enter Bert stage left humming ‘Jolly Holiday’, he is finishing some chalk drawings on the pavement in the park)

Bert: Roll up! Roll up! Come and see the best paintings outside of the National Gallery - London’s finest!

(Mary Poppins and the children approach, holding hands)

Jane: Oh look Mary Poppins! (pointing & pulling away from Mary) Michael: (excitedly) May we? Mary Poppins: Go on then children.(they run towards the paintings)

(as Mary and Bert get closer, they recognise each other)

Bert: Well if it ain’t Mary Poppins! In the flesh! Mary Poppins: My, my Bert - I haven’t seen you for a long, long time. You haven’t changed a bit! Are these your drawings? Bert: (he nods proudly) Only the best chalk drawings in London, these are! Jane: They’re beautiful! Look at that one Michael, I wish we could go there!

(the children peer into the picture)

Michael: Cor! The sunshine, the seaside - and look, there’s an ice cream! Jane: I can almost hear the seagulls! (they giggle) Bert: You fancy going there, do ya? Well, all you have to do is.... Mary Poppins: (interrupting him) Oh Bert - now stop putting ideas into their heads. Bert: Ideas into their heads? Why, I’m doing no such thing! Besides, who wouldn’t want to go to the seaside for the afternoon? What d’ya say, kids? Jane & Michael: Please, Mary Poppins, please may we go? Oh, do say yes!

(Mary Poppins frowns at Bert)

Jane: Please Mary Poppins. It would be just like being on holiday!

(Mary Poppins & Bert smile to each other)

Mary Poppins & Bert: Holiday, you say? (they all hold hands and jump into the painting)

SONG: Jolly Holiday

Mary Poppins: (brushing herself down) Right, that’s quite enough of that nonsense! Time for home. Bert: Well, I’ll walk you home then. See you get there safely. Number 17, Cherry Tree Lane, if I’m not mistaken? (Mary Poppins nods)

Michael: When we get home I’m going to tell Father all about the chalk drawings..... Jane: (interrupting him) And the seaside - and Bert..... Jane & Michael: And everything! Jane: Oh Mary Poppins, we’ve had such a wonderful day!

(Mary & Bert smile to themselves, all exit stage right. Mr & Mrs Banks enter stage left)

Scene 4 - The Banks’ family home

Mr Banks: (on the phone) Yes, constable, that’s right. Missing since lunchtime! Again! Mrs Banks: (sees the children approaching in the wings) Here they are, George dear. We don’t need a policeman this time (he puts the phone down) I can see them coming - and they’re with the new nanny. Mr Banks: New nanny? What new nanny? Oh well, never mind. Let’s see how long this one lasts, shall we? Mrs Banks: Oh, I’m sure she’ll be fine dear. The children certainly look very happy. Mr Banks: Happy? Probably because they’re up to no good! Jane & Michael: (calling out as they enter stage right) Mother! Father! Michael: We’ve had the most wonderful day! Jane: Yes, we went to the park with Mary Poppins..... Mr Banks: Mary Poppins? What kind of a name is that? Mary Poppins indeed! Mrs Banks: George dear, please! Jane: And we met Bert.... Michael: And we jumped into the chalk drawing....

Jane: And went to the seaside... Michael: Oh Mother, Father.....we’ve all had such fun! Mr Banks: Fun? Hmmph, fun indeed!

(Mary Poppins & Bert arrive)

Mrs Banks: Now George, let’s hear what the children have to say. Mr Banks: (to Mary Poppins) And I suppose all of this was your doing? Mary Poppins: Maybe a little. Myself and Bert. Mrs Banks: Er, Bert? Bert: (doffing his cap) How do Ma’am! Mr Banks: Well nanny, how long do you intend to stick around? Not long, I imagine? Jane & Michael: Oh please stay, Mary Poppins! Mrs Banks: Yes, do. Please. Mary Poppins: Well - just until the wind changes......

SONG: Let’s Go Fly A Kite