Mary Poppins (character)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mary Poppins is a fictional character and the protagonist of Pamela Travers' Mary Poppins books and all of its adaptations. She is a magical nanny of unknown origins who arrives at the Banks home in Cherry Tree Lane where she is given charge of the Banks children and teaches them valuable lessons with a magical touch.
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[edit] Description
Mary Poppins is a loving but slightly-stern nanny who uses magic and discipline to take care of the Banks children. She is usually identifiable by her sensible hat and parrot umbrella which she brings with her wherever she goes on outings. She is loving and kind towards the children, but can be strict when needed.
[edit] Actresses who have portrayed Mary Poppins
- Julie Andrews, in the Disney film.
- Laura Michelle Kelly, in the original London production of the stage musical.
- Ashley Brown, in the original Broadway production of the stage musical.
- Poppy Tierney, stand-by in the original London production of the stage musical.
- Scarlett Strallen, in the London production of the stage musical.
- Lisa O'Hare, in the London production of the stage musical.
[edit] Book
Mary Poppins in P.L. Travers' books is strict and no-nonsense, asserting her unusual brand of discipline over the four (later five) Banks children in her charge. Mary is very vain and is always admiring herself in the mirror and other reflections. She constantly scolds the children for their "bad" behaviour, especially when they point out the magical things that she does, for she constantly denies that she is anything but a prim and proper lady. Mary only shows her gentler side around her friends, among them the Matchman (Bert), Mrs.Corry and Nellie-Rubina.
[edit] Movie
Mary Poppins in the Disney film, as portrayed by Julie Andrews, is also stern but is at the same time gentle and nurturing of the two Banks children she is in charge of. Mary also has a friendship with Bert (Dick Van Dyke), a jack-of-all-trades who is quite at home with Mary's brand of magic.
[edit] Songs Performed
- A Spoonful of Sugar
- Jolly Holiday
- Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
- Stay Awake
- I Love to Laugh
- Feed the Birds (Tuppence a Bag)
- Chim Chim Cher-ee
[edit] Magic Performed
- Blows other potential nannies arriving at the Banks home away in a gust of wind.
- Flies to the Banks home with an umbrella.
- Pulls out the Banks children's ripped advertisement from her pocket.
- Sits on the Banks staircase railing and slides upwards.
- Pulls out a hatstand, potted plant and lamp from her carpetbag.
- Cleans up the children's nursery by clicking her fingers.
- Duets with her reflection.
- Leads Bert, Jane Banks and Michael Banks to jump into a street painting.
- Leads Bert, Jane Banks and Michael Banks on a walk above the London rooftops.
- Flies away from the Banks home with her umbrella.
[edit] Stage Musical
Mary Poppins in the both the West End and Broadway versions of the stage musical is more deliberately mysterious than the movie version. She is stricter with the children (who are also naughtier than their book and movie counterparts) but she only wants them to become the best that they can be. Mary in the stage version is also more aware of Bert's feelings towards her, but remains non-committal towards his affections.
[edit] Songs Performed
- Practically Perfect
- Jolly Holiday
- A Spoonful of Sugar
- Feed the Birds
- Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
- Chim Chim Cher-ee (Rooftop Duet)
- Brimstone and Treacle Part 2
- Practically Perfect (Reprise)
- Step in Time
- Anything Can Happen
- A Spoonful of Sugar (Farewell Reprise)
[edit] Magic Performed
- Mysteriously appears and pulls out the children's ripped advertisement from her pocket.
- Pulls out a hat-stand, mirror, potted plant and lamp from her carpetbag.
- Turns the lamp on with a click of her fingers.
- Stretches a piece of cloth over air, which turns into a firm bed.
- Causes a drab park to become colourful.
- Brings the statues in a park to animated life.
- Cleans up the Banks kitchen by clicking her fingers and gesturing.
- Causes the toys in the Banks nursery to come to life.
- Flies away from the Banks home with her umbrella.
- Sends Ms. Andrew the nanny into a giant cage.
- Slides upwards on the railing of the Banks staircase.
- Goes up the chimney with the Banks children on to the rooftops.
