Mary Poppins

Scene 1-Street in front of the Banks’ House

(In front of stage, far right – Chimney sweep sitting on a chimney pot – spotlight on. Stage, in darkness, is set up like a living room, two pieces of luggage downstage stage left.)

Sweep 1– Winds in the east, mist comin’ in

Like something is brewin’ about to begin

Can’t put me finger on what lies in store

But I feel what’s to happen, all happened before

(Sweep starts cleaning chimney. Bert comes from stage right to stand in front of stage right)

Bert:
(Tips hat) How d’you? Please ta meet ‘cha. (pointing at the stage) This here is Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane. The residence of George Banks esquire.

(As he’s talking, sweep goes off stage right with broom over shoulder. Passer By comes from stage left)

Passer By:
A word of advice, young man. You may want to get out of here. Storm signals are up at number 17. Bit of heavy weather brewing there.

(Both turn to look at stage, after a few seconds, look worried and exit stage right)

Scene 2 – In the House

Cook:
(Barging onto stage from stage right followed by Ellen) Leave her alone!

Ellen:
You be quiet!

Cook:
Don’t you be trying to stop the wretched creature! Let her go, that’s what I say, and good riddance!

Ellen:
(Breaking loose) But who gets stuck with the children with no nanny in the house? Me, that’s who!

Cook:
(Shouting to Katie Nanna, who enters stage left and picks up her luggage) Her and her high and mighty ways! I never liked her from the moment she set foot in the door.

Katie Nanna:
(Heading for the door, stage right at the steps) Now Mrs Brill (cook) I wouldn’t stay in this house for another minute, not if you gave me all the tea in China!

Ellen:
(blocking the door) No, no, Katie Nanna, don’t go! What am I going to tell Mrs Banks about the children?

Katie Nanna:
Well it’s no concern of mine. Those little beasts have run away from me for the very last time!

Ellen:
They must be somewhere. Did you look around the zoo in the park? They like hanging around the cages. (To Cook) You don’t think they’ve been eaten by the lions do you?

Katie Nanna:
Ellen. Move out of the way!

Cook:
(Waving) Goodbye!

(Mrs. Banks starts up the far right aisle of the audience, humming Sister Suffragette)

Ellen:
Now, now Katie Nanna…. Oh no… Mrs Banks! She’s home!

Mrs Banks:
(Entering from stage right, bursts into song. The other women are drawn into the song.)

Song- Sister Suffragette

(Katie Nana tries to interrupt at the end, repeating, “Mrs. Banks.” Finally...)

Katie Nanna:
(Shouting!) Mrs Banks!!!!!! I would like a word with you!

Mrs Banks:
What is it Katie Nanna? (Looking around) Where are the children?

Katie Nanna:
The children, to be precise, are not here. They’ve disappeared again!

Mrs Banks:
Oh Katie Nanna… This is really too careless of you! Doesn’t this make it the third time this week?

Katie Nanna:
The fourth, Madam and I’ve had enough of it!

(Mr. Banks starts down the aisle towards the stage to enter stage right.)

Mrs Banks:
So when do we expect them home?

Katie Nanna:
I really couldn’t say! Now if you could just pay me what I’m owed.

Mrs Banks:
Oh, gracious, Katie Nanna! You’re not leaving? What will Mr Banks say? He’s going to be cross enough as it is to come home and find the children missing and he was just beginning to like you!

Katie Nanna:
My wages, if you please.

(Mr Banks enters stage right)

Mr Banks:
Hello Katie Nanna. That must be heavy. Allow me.

(He takes her bags out of her hands and sets them down at the bottom of the steps stage right. Katie Nanna Follows. He waves goodbye as she walks down the far right aisle. Music He returns to stage. Meanwhile Cook and Ellen slink off stage left. Mrs. Banks waits worriedly centerstage and tries to get a word in while Mr. Banks sings.)

Song- How Lordly is the Life I Lead

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? They should have been bathed and in bed now, why it’s already 6.15!

(From the back of the room, the constable begins to lead Michael and Jane up to the stage through the center aisle.)

Mrs Banks:
But George, they ran away from Katie Nanna. They’re missing again!

Mr Banks:
Missing!!! I’ll deal with this. (Using the phone, up stage stage left) George Banks here. 17 Cherry Tree Lane. It’s a matter of urgency. I should like you to send a policeman around immediately. (Constable, having reached the top of the steps at stage right, “rings” at the door. Mrs. Banks opens the door.)

Mrs Banks:
The policeman’s here George.

Mr Banks:
What? Well I never, how prompt. (into the telephone) What a wonderful service. Thank you so much. Goodnight! (hangs up the telephone and turns)

Mrs Banks:
(moving downstage) Come in constable, come in.

(The Constable steps inside, but Jane and Michael stay outside.)

Constable:
Thank you sir. While going about my duties on the other side of the park, I happen to have come across these here valuables. I believe they’re yours sir!

Mr Banks:
Valuables?

Constable:
Come along you two! (Jane and Michael come in.)

Mrs Banks:
Jane, Michael. (Giving them both a big hug!)

Mr Banks:
Please don’t be so emotional dear!

Constable:
Oh I wouldn’t be too hard on them sir, they’ve had a long and weary day!

Mr Banks (To Children): Come here at once. Well?

(Michael and Jane move centerstage.)

Jane:
I’m sorry we lost Katie Nanna, Father. You see it was windy and the kite was too strong for us.

Constable:
In a manner of speaking, it was a runaway kite, not runaway children.

Mr Banks:
Thank You constable. I think I can manage this now.

Michael:
Actually it wasn’t a very good kite. We made it ourselves. Perhaps if you helped us to make one?

Constable:
Well that sounds like a good idea.

Mr Banks:
Yes, yes, constable. I think that’s enough. I can manage from here. Have a good evening. Now if you don’t mind. (Crossing behind Jane and Michael to stage right, motions the constable out the door and shuts it.)

Mr Banks:
Ellen! (Ellen enters stage left and curtseys) Take Michael and Jane to the nursery.

Ellen:
(curtseying) Yes sir! (mumbling as she goes over to Jane and Michael and leads them off stage left) I knew it. When all’s said and done, who bears the brunt of everything around here? Me that’s who! They don’t want an honest good working girl around here. They need a bloomin’ zookeeper.

(Mr Banks – gets his newspaper and sits down in his chair, upstage right.)

Mrs Banks:
I’m sorry dear. When I chose Katie Nanna, I thought she was going to be firm with the children.

Mr Banks:
You’ve taken on 6 nannies in the last four months, and they’ve all been disasters! We need one who will be firm, respectable, and take no nonsense. She must act like a general who gives commands, lays down rules and ensures discipline at all times.

(Jane and Michael enter from stage left and come to center stage)

Jane:
Father, we are really sorry about what we did today. It was wrong to run away from Katie Nanna.

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