The following describes an overview of the London show which began with the original cast's run at the
Prince Edward Theatre from December 2004 to October 2005. Some of the changes that have been made since then
have been noted, but this
description is not definitive.
If you've seen a more recent staging of Mary Poppins and noticed other
changes, please feel free to email me at . This is meant to be an overview only, and I've purposely ignored some of the smaller details.
This page contains spoilers, but I've taken the liberty of omitting the larger ones.
ACT ONE
CURTAIN UP - A PARK IN LONDON
Bert, dressed as a chimney sweep, climbs out of a chimney and introduces us to the Banks family.
{{Chim Chim Cher-ee (Opening)}}
The Banks children escape from their nanny Katie Nana, but are quickly
caught by a policeman and brought back home to Cherry Tree Lane. Bert encounters Admiral Boom in front
of Number 17, commenting on a "storm" going on inside.
(*From the end of 2005, Bert talks to Admiral Boom in the park, instead of in front of the Number 17
house.)
(*From early 2007, Bert once again talks to Admiral Boom in front of Number 17.
CHERRY TREE LANE - THE BANKS HOME
Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane is in turmoil. Katie Nana has given up on the children and storms out, leaving a
distressed Mrs Winifred Banks to explain the situation to her husband. Mr George Banks explains that all he asks from everyone
in Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane is precision and order, and says that he thinks that a nanny should be
stern and strict, just like his own childhood nanny Miss Andrew.
The servants, Mrs Brill and Robertson Ay, watch the proceedings with carefully-masked curiosity.
{{Cherry Tree Lane Part 1}}
Jane and Michael Banks decide to give their father a new advertisment for a nanny that they've just written up.
{{The Perfect Nanny}}
Sending the children away, Mr Banks tears up the advertisment and throws it in the fireplace, but a mysterious
wind suddenly rustles through the Banks home.
{{Cherry Tree Lane Part 2}}
Mary Poppins makes her entrance in a shower of
petals. The childrens' advertisment in hand, she breezes past the Banks "interview" and is immediately
introduced to the children.
(*From early 2007, there have been minor changes in the song, as a few lines have been altered and
vocals switched around.)
THE BANKS NURSERY
Mary Poppins surveys the Banks nursery and is appalled by the mess. With a sparkle in her eye and a carpet
bag full of tricks, she explains to the children the sort of efficiency that she expects from them. Because she is,
after all, practically perfect.
{{Practically Perfect}}
A PARK
Bert, working as a skreever, is at the gates of a park working on his paintings.
{{Chim Chim Cher-ee (Park Reprise)}}
Mary Poppins, Jane and Michael arrive at the park on their first outing together. Bert is thrilled
to meet Mary again, and is introduced to the children. Jane and Michael grumble about the mundane venue, but
Bert advises them that nothing is quite what it seems when Mary Poppins is around.
At first they don't believe him, but then Jane and Michael are given a Poppins-esque surprise when
the statues of the park come to life and start dancing with them.
{{Jolly Holiday}}
(*From the end of 2005, the game of "Statues" between Bert, the statues and the Park keeper have
been removed.)
(*From early 2007, the scene includes a full technicolour transformation and a tea interlude for
Mary, Bert and the Banks children. These replace chunks of the song, including Bert's jokes, that have
been removed entirely.)
When it starts to rain, Mary rushes the children back home. They briefly cross paths with the
Bird Woman, and Mary smiles at her fondly. The children, at this moment, don't notice her.
THE BANKS HOME
The children are all excited from their outing, but when they try to talk to their father, he
cuts them off. Mrs Banks tries to get him to listen, but he brushes her off too. Mary Poppins leads the children
to the nursery, leaving Mr Banks to grumble about Mary's lack of discipline and Mrs Banks to think about the
things that her husband expects of her.
{{Cherry Tree Lane (reprise) / Being Mrs Banks / Jolly Holiday (reprise)}}
THE BANKS KITCHEN
Mrs Banks is preparing a small party that she's throwing for some socialites that her husband
thinks she should mix around with. Mrs Brill, the cook, is grouchy because of the things she
has to do. She tells Robertson Ay to prepare the icing and leaves him to it. The children try to help, but
only end up making it worse. Mary Poppins, with her perfect timing, enters the scene and helps fix things.
{{A Spoonful of Sugar}}
BANK - INSIDE
Mary Poppins takes Jane and Michael on an outing to their father's workplace. They first meet the Bank
Chairman, who explains the importance of investments, and gives the children sixpence each. Mr Banks, unaware of
their arrival, is busy with work. First he rejects a loan request made by a pompous man called Von Hussler, then
another loan by a humbler but more desperate man named Northbrook.
{{Precision and Order}}
When the children find their father they're ecstatic, but are stopped short by his anger at being
interrupted. Northbrook takes his leave, saying that a man should never be too busy for his children,
and Mary's quick explanation turns Mr Banks' temper into befuddlement.
Just as they're about to leave, Jane asks what's more important when considering a loan request:
a good idea or a good man. Mr Banks thinks for a moment, and then says that a good idea is more important. Mary and the children leave Mr Banks to his thoughts.
{{A Man Has Dreams}}
Mr Banks has his secretary call Northbrook back in to approve his loan request.
(*From early 2007, the Bank Chairman, Von Hussler and Northbrook all have their solo verses to
sing which are in the tune of "The Life I Lead". Instead of the Bank Chairman giving the sixpence to Jane and Michael, it is Northbrook
who gives it to them. George Banks declines Von Hussler's request and approves Northbrook's in person,
instead of off-screen.)
BANK - OUTSIDE
As they're leaving the bank, they see the Bird Woman. Jane sneers, pointing out that the
Bird Woman is nothing but a bundle of rags. Mary asks them to look a little closer, and explains what she's really
doing.
{{Feed the Birds}}
Michael moves to give the Bird Woman his tuppence, but Mary stops him and buys a bag of crumbs with her own
money. Jane watches impassively while Michael feeds the birds. After he's done, they move to leave.
Jane starts to approach the Bird Woman, but at the last moment changes her mind and walks away.
(*With some of the children, Jane walks away without hesitation.)
PARK
Bert, pushing his musical trolley, is with Miss Lark's dog. He bumps into Mary Poppins and the
children. The dog gives Mary a message from Mrs Brill, and she decides they need to go to the marketplace to pick
up some things.
(*From early 2007, Mary and the children encounter Bert and Miss Lark's dog in front of Number 17
Cherry Tree Lane, which then magically leads straight to Mrs Corry's shop.)
MARKETPLACE
Mary buys some sausages from Bert the meat vendor. Jane mocks the way he speaks, but Mary asks her
what's more important: what people say, or the way they say it? Jane grudgingly admits that it's what people
say that's more important.
Suddenly everyone in the marketplace stop talking, having run out of conversation. There's only
one place to buy conversations, and that Mrs Corry's shop.
(*From the end of 2005, Jane's question and Mary's advice have been removed.*)
(*From early 2007, the marketplace scene has been removed altogether.)
MRS CORRY'S SHOP
Mary Poppins and Mrs Corry greet each other warmly. The magical Mrs Corry introduces herself to the children, who don't quite believe her when she tells them that she knew their father when he was a boy. Mary then says that she wants to buy an ounce of conversations. Sadly it turns out that Mrs Corry's out of conversations, but she does have some letters. Bert, Jane, Michael and Mrs Corry use the letters to make some words, but Mary takes the cake when she makes the biggest word of all.
{{Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious}}
Mary and the children return to Cherry Tree Lane, but Bert and the rest of the company stay behind for an
encore of the show-stopper.
{{Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (encore)}}
THE BANKS HOME
Bert, acting as a narrator, observes the proceedings of Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane. Mr Banks
reveals to Mrs Banks that he's been suspended without pay because a loan that he'd rejected turned out to
be a huge moneymaker for a rival bank. He's angry and upset, but before Mrs Banks can calm him down, Mary and
the children return. The children's loud cheerfulness makes George Banks lose his temper.
{{Chim Chim Cher-ee (Cherry Tree Lane Reprise)}}
Mrs Banks tells Mary to take the children to the nursery.
THE BANKS NURSERY
Jane and Michael, angry that their father shouted at them, throw temper tantrums of their own. Despite Mrs
Banks' attempts to explain things to them, they refuse to listen. Mary Poppins
tells Mrs Banks that she'll handle things. Curt and serious, Mary tells them that they'll be confined to the
nursery without dinner until they learn to control their temper. Left alone, Jane and Michael start arguing with each other. Suddenly their toys come to life and start berating them for
their tempers.
{{Temper, Temper}}
After the toys go back to their places, Mary returns to the nursery. Michael is still not convinced and
runs off to tell their mother about she did. Jane, however, apologises for her behaviour, but admits that they're
weary of Mary's supposed lessons. Mary tells Jane to go down and have her supper. Alone in the
nursery, Mary leaves a note on Jane's bed and enters the fireplace to go up the chimney to the roof.
(*From early 2007, "Temper Temper" has been shortened slightly, various toys have been
changed and Mary enters the nursery at the last line.)
(In the 2009 US tour production, "Temper Temper" has been replaced by a new song, "Playing the
Game".)
THE BANKS ROOF
Bert, dressed as a chimney sweep, is on the roof. He sees Mary holding her umbrella and carpet
bag, and knows that she's leaving. Mary tells him that the children need to handle the next bit on their own, so she
asks Bert to keep an eye on them and flies off.
{{Chim Chim Cher-ee (Rooftop Duet)}}
Mrs Brill and the children return to the nursery to find that all of Mary's things are gone. But the note
that she left behind tells them that she'll be back.
INTERMISSION
ACT TWO
It's windy out.
CURTAIN UP - THE BANKS HOME
Weeks have passed. The children and servants regret Mary's leaving, and are awaiting her return.
Mr Banks still doesn't have a job, so he's spending his time being listless and gloomy. Mrs Banks, however, is
all a-flutter because she's expecting the arrival of a special guest who'll make everything better. Mr
Banks doesn't like surprises, and wants to know who it is. Mrs Banks whispers in his ear, but his reaction turns to terror, and
he runs off. The children and servants look out in anticipation for the arrival...
{{Cherry Tree Lane Part 3}}
...but it turns out to be Mr Banks' childhood nanny, Miss Andrew. Dressed like a raven and looking like she's
never smiled a day in her life, she reveals to everyone just how she deals with naughty children.
{{Brimstone and Treacle Part 1}}
Jane and Michael do the only thing they believe they can do in this situation, and run away.
(*From the end of 2005, George Banks only runs off after Miss Andrew arrives.*)
(*From early 2007, Miss Andrew arrives through the proper Banks house entrance, instead of
through the trapdoor.)
CURTAIN
Bert paints a welcome sign. He's expecting someone's return.
PARK
Jane and Michael arrive at a park. There they meet up with Bert, who tries to cheer them up
by letting them fly a kite he's made. Michael says that he only really wants to fly a kite with his father,
but Bert encourages him get a little practice. Other people join them in the park, flying their kites.
{{Let's Go Fly a Kite}}
Mary Poppins returns. Jane and Michael are thrilled to see her, but tell her that a replacement nanny has
already arrived at their home. Unknown to the children, their parents are also in the park: their father is
wandering aimlessly in his melancholy, and their mother is searching for her husband.
{{Good For Nothing / Being Mrs Banks (reprise)}}
(*From the end of 2005, "Good for Nothing" has been shortened to a single verse.)
THE BANKS HOME
Mary arrives at the Banks home, and when she sees Miss Andrew's caged bird she lets him free.
Miss Andrew hears them and comes downstairs, where she sees Mary Poppins for the first time. Mary says that she's returned, and Miss Andrew should pack up and leave. Miss Andrew is livid, and only
gets angrier when she sees that her bird is gone from its cage. Thinking the children let her bird go, she
stalks towards them with her bottle of bitter medicine but Mary has her own medicine in store for the cranky nanny.
{{Brimstone and Treacle Part 2}}
Mr and Mrs Banks return home, both surprised to find that Miss Andrew is gone. But Mary is back, and despite her
admission that they'll never know when she'll leave again, they welcome her back. Mary and the children
retreat to the nursery.
THE BANKS NURSERY
The children are thrilled that Mary is back.
{{Practically Perfect (reprise)}}
Suddenly the children are sucked into the fireplace and up the chimney, ending up on the roof with Bert the
chimney sweep.
THE ROOF
Mary joins them, and they enjoy the view as Bert explains to them what a chimney sweep really is.
{{Chim Chim Cher-ee}}
Then other chimney sweeps join them, leading to a spectacular dance on the rooftops of London.
{{Step in Time}}
THE BANKS HOME
Mary, Bert, Jane, Michael and the rest of the chimney sweeps bring their dance down into the
Banks home, boggling everyone there. Most of the chimney sweeps eventually leave, just as a telegram arrives for Mr Banks, summoning him to a meeting with his bank's board of directors.
{{Step in Time (encore)}}
Winifred Banks offers to go with husband to meeting, but he insists against it.
George Banks decides that with the way things are going, it's time to sell the family heirloom which is an
old vase. Just as he's taking it down, Mrs Brill accidentally knocks his arm, causing him to drop it and shatter
the vase. But instead of losing his temper, George is more surprised to see that the shattered vase
has revealed its hidden treasure of old gingerbread stars that he'd bought when he was a boy. Bert helps him clear the mess, and the two share a brief heart-to-heart.
{{A Man Has Dreams (reprise) / A Spoonful of Sugar (reprise)}}
Jane and Michael come down to say goodnight to their father. They apologise for their previously
troublesome behaviour, and give him the sixpence that they had been given, saying that they
hope that it'll help him in this time of trouble. George is touched by the gesture. When he goes
into his office to get ready for the meeting, Mary Poppins quietly leaves a half-finished kite on the floor for him to find.
THE BANKS NURSERY
Winifred Banks talks to Jane and Michael about their father. Mary Poppins explains her own
life philosophy and encourages Winifred to do what she thinks is right. Winifred then decides to go to bank
to be by her husband's side. Using her own magic, Mary brings Jane and Michael to go and see what their
father gets up to.
{{Anything Can Happen}}
BANK - OUTSIDE
George arrives at the entrance of the bank while the Bird Woman is there. He starts to walk past her, but suddenly stops and gives her the sixpence that his children gave him earlier, asking her to do him a favour and feed the birds for him.
{{Feed the Birds (Reprise)}}
BANK - INSIDE
Mr Banks talks to the boards of directors, apologising that he'd lost them money, but saying that he
believes he made the right choice. The chairman asks him why he turned down Von Hussler's proposal, and
Mr Banks explains that Von Hussler's project had no soul, and that he's realised that there are some
things that are more important than money. The bank chairman then explains that they called him in not for him to apologise, but to apologise to him, because Von Hussler's project went under and Northbrook's project has been successful. They ask him for his secret, but Mr Banks can only explain with one word:
{{Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (Reprise)}}
Winifred suddenly storms in, demanding that she have an audience with the board of directors. George
quickly pulls her aside and explains what has just happened. The chairman then offers George a new more
well-paid job at the bank, to which he says that he'll only accept if they understand that his family
comes first. George and Winifred Banks embrace.
PARK
George and Winifred walk off together arm-in-arm. Mary and the children are reunited with old
friends Bert, Neleus the statue, Mrs Corry and all the others who join in for a finale surrounded ladders leading up to the
stars.
{{Anything Can Happen - continued}}
(*From early 2007, the ladders to the heavens are replaced by Mary's giant star-studded umbrella
that she, Bert and the children stand on.)
PARK - GATE
Most of the company has cleared off. Michael Banks announces to Mary Poppins that he loves
her, to which she answers with her own brand of Poppinism. After he leaves, Bert says that he knows that
it's time for her to leave. She confirms this and the pair exchange their goodbyes.
THE BANKS NURSERY
Alone, Mary surveys the practically perfect nursery with a satisfied eye. Umbrella in one hand and carpet bag in the other, she walks off.
{{A Spoonful of Sugar (reprise)}}
The Banks family enters the nursery and see that once again all of Mary's things are gone. Winifred
suggests that she might come back, but Jane says that she won't, because they don't need her anymore and other families will. Family united, they look up to the skies and see a shooting star, upon which they bid their final farewell to Mary Poppins.
CURTAIN CALL
The complete cast and company join together for a final encore.
