CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
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.
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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 pip-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.
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Winifred Banks
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. Cast an actor who can portray a great warmth and depth of feeling.
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Jane Banks
The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Banks, bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness. Strong singer who can take the audience on an emotional journey.
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Michael Banks
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. Great actor and singer. Ideally, he reads onstage as younger than Jane.
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Mrs. Brill
The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked, she’s always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath.
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Robertson Ay
The houseboy to the Banks family. Forgetful and clumsy, he often bungles simple tasks. Good comedic actor. Note: his last name is pronounced like “eye.”
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Mary Poppins
Jane and Michael Banks’s 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 should be able to move well. Since she carries a majority of the show, precision and diction are key.
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Neleus
Neleus is a statue who, once brought to life by Mary Poppins, is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael. Strong dancer
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Bird Woman
The 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.
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Miss Smythe
Miss Smythe is the bank Chairman’s humorless secretary.
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Chairman
Chairman, the head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed shirt. Good actor with great stage presence.
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Von Hussler
Von Hussler is a businessman 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.
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John Northbrook
John Northbrook is an honest businessman seeking a loan to build a factory for his community. This is a great role for a good actor and solid singer
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Mrs. Corry
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. Cast an excellent actor who’s not afraid to be over the top in this fun role.
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Miss Andrew
Miss Andrew is George’s 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. Cast one of your stronger singers
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