- Manasquan Elementary School
- Drama Club
Chracter List
Posted by Kristine Sliwoski on 2/18/2021
Bert: The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert is a chimney sweep and a sidewalk artist, among many other occupations. With a twinkle in his eye and a skip in his step, Bert watches over the children and the goings-on around Cherry Tree Lane. He is a song-and-dance man with oodles of charm who is wise beyond his years. Cast your strongest male singer, dancer, and actor in this role. Please sing ChimChim, Step in Time, and any other Bert Song you feel confident in.
George Banks: husband to Winifred and father to Jane and Michael, is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding “precision and order” in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn’t have much to do with his children, and believes that Miss Andrew, his cruel, strict, childhood nanny, gave him the perfect upbringing. George’s emotional armor, however off-putting, conceals a sensitive soul. A baritone (lower singer), George may also speak-sing and should be a very strong actor.
Sing: Precision and Order (Speak Sing) and A Man Has Dreams
Michael Banks is the cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and longs desperately for his attention. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents. Michael should be a great actor and singer and should be younger (at least act younger onstage) than Jane. Prepare: A Perfect Nanny and A Spoonful of Sugar
Winifred Banks is George’s wife and Jane and Michael’s mother. She is a loving homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband’s social aspirations while striving to be a model wife and mother. We are looking for an actor who can portray a great warmth and depth of feeling. Winifred should have a pure vocal tone and be one of the strongest actors and singers.
Sing: Practically perfect, Anything Can Happen
Jane Banks the high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Banks, is bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness. We are looking for a wonderful actor and strong singer who can take the audience on an emotional journey. Sing: A Perfect Nanny and A Spoonful of Sugar
Mrs. Brill is the housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked, she is always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. She does not have to be a strong singer, but should be a solid actor.
Sing: Practically Perfect, Spoonful of Sugar
Mary Poppins is Jane and Michael Banks’ new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet very particular, and sometimes a little frightening, but she is always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. The role calls for an excellent singer and actor who can move well. Mary carries the majority of the show, so precision and diction are key. Please be prepared with Practically Perfect, Supercala, and A Spoonful of Sugar
Katie Nanna is Jane and Michael’s nanny at the beginning of the show. Overwhelmed and upset, she has absolutely had her fill of the Banks children. This is a non-singing role.
Bird Woman is covered in a patchwork of old shawls, her pockets stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell the crumbs to Passersby who ignore her as if she doesn’t exist. While she should be a good singer, there can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that reflects the difficulties of her situation as she sings what is perhaps the most poignant song of the show. Song: Feed the Birds
Miss Smythe is the bank Chairman’s humorless secretary. Non-singing role.
Mrs. Corry owns a magical Talking Shop. She is a mysterious woman of indeterminate age, but has plenty of spirit and is sharp as a tack. We are looking for an excellent actor and a good singer who is not afraid to be over-the-top in this fun role. Song: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Miss Andrew is George Banks’ overbearing and scary childhood nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things – her way. We are looking for a very strong singer for this role. Songs: Brimstone and Treacle (Part 1) Brimstone and Treacle (Part 2)
Robertson Ay (pronounced “eye”) is the houseboy to the Banks family. Forgetful and clumsy, he often bungles simple tasks. He doesn’t do a lot of singing, but he should be a good comedic actor. (May be changed to a girl part, in which case the name of the role will be changed to Robin.) Sing: Whichever song you are most comfortable from show.
Neleus is a statue who, once brought to life by Mary Poppins, is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael. This is a featured role for an excellent dancer who can sing. The student playing Neleus will be part of the ensemble or featured dancers for the rest of the show. Song: Jolly Holiday
Chairman, the head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed shirt (a smug, conceited, pompous person who is inflexibly conservative). He/she does not need to be a strong singer. He/she does need to be a good actor with great stage presence. Sing: Any song you are comfortable with from the show.
Von Hussler is a businessperson seeking a loan from the bank for a shady business deal. This is a great character role for a fantastic actor who can command the stage with pomposity. A German accent makes this part even more fun, but is not necessary. Sing: Any Song you are comfortable with from the show.
John Northbrook is an honest businessperson seeking a loan to build a factory for his community. This is a great role for a good actor and solid singer. Sing: Any song you are comfortable with from the show.
There are various featured chorus parts, singers, dancers. Everyone will be in the show! Some may have multiple parts in multiple scenes.
