Mary Poppins Audition Monologues Pick Any Monologue You Like (Regardless of Implied Gender)
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Mary Poppins Audition Monologues Pick any monologue you like (regardless of implied gender). The monologue you choose does not have any bearing on which roles you will be considered for. We are looking for actors who make strong choices and show us character movement as well as voice. You will be asked to do your monologue twice—once with a British accent, and once without. You may choose which version you want to do first. The monologue does not need to be memorized, but memorization is allowed. Mary Poppins: George and Winifred Banks live here, do they not? And you are looking for a nanny? Very well, then. Now, let’s see. “Play games, all sorts.” Which I most certainly can. “Take us on outings, give us treats. Rosy cheeks and fairly pretty.” There’s no objection on that score, I hope? I’m glad to hear it. Mrs. Brill: In case you’re worried, I have not been exchanged by the fairies for a total nincompoop! Once the cake’s done, I’ve the sandwiches next because Madam wants them fresh. So I can’t start them until there’s no time to finish them. I swear, a slave in Ancient Rome was on a pleasure cruise compared to my life in this house! Mr. Northbrook: Have you come to your decision, Mr. Banks? There’s a town of good people whose future depends on you. Give us a chance, you won’t regret it. The factory could be up and running in weeks and expanding before the year’s out. Please Mr. Banks, I’d give it everything I’ve got, believe me. Bert: Who’s Mrs. Corry? Mrs. Corry is older than anyone is the world. She talked to William before he went conquering, to Vlad before he went impaling, and to Alexander when he weren’t so great. Mrs. Corry: Well, well, well...if it isn’t Mary Poppins. With Jane and Michael Banks! How is poor little Georgie Banks, your father? He used to give his nanny the slip and come into my shop here in secret. I remember Georgie used to love my gingerbread. Gingerbread pieces with gingerbread stars, there you are! Mr. Banks: That is more than enough, go to your room! I don’t care where you were “just”! Upstairs, now! Where’s my briefcase? I put it here. Michael? Jane? Will you give it to me? Must I put up with this behavior? You’re their mother, why can’t you do something? Mary Poppins, you’re here to teach the children manners, and just look at them! A pair of little savages! Miss Andrew: My journey was thoroughly unpleasant. I never enjoy travel. You must be poor George’s wife. Your flowerbeds are disgracefully untidy! Take my advice: plant evergreens. Or better still, have nothing there at all, just a plain cement courtyard. Fond of flowers? Then you are a very silly woman. Jane: I knew it! Oh Mary Poppins, I knew you’d come back! It’s been so awful since you went away and now Miss Andrew’s come and Daddy’s ruined and we never helped him like you wanted us to and we were too stupid to hear what you were saying. Welcome back, Mary Poppins. Bank Chairman: Ruining the bank? Ruining the bank? My dear chap, what are you talking about? You’ve saved our bacon! Haven’t you heard? Von Hussler’s scheme has ruined our rival! You’ve kept us out of the nastiest scandal since records began. We don’t want your apology, we’re offering ours! And Northbrook’s opening two new factories. With the percentages you negotiated, we’re set to make a fortune! Mary Poppins Role Descriptions About the accents: Because the era and location are important to the story and context of Mary Poppins, all characters, unless otherwise noted, will speak with a standard British accent (a few performers perform with a Cockney accent instead). Performers should be prepared to perform their monologues once with and once without a British accent at auditions. Actors do not need a ‘perfect’ British accent to be cast in any role, and we will provide direction and assistance in developing accents in rehearsal. All we need to see at auditions is each actor’s best try! MARY POPPINS Female, sings solo, many lines, some dancing Jane and Michael Banks' new nanny. She is practically perfect in every way (and knows it, in a most delightful way). She is extraordinary, neat and tidy, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. The world interacts with her in a magical, but normal for her, way. This role requires an actress who can portray a strong, confident character who takes joy in everything she does. WINIFRED BANKS Female, sings solo, many lines, light dancing George's wife and Jane and Michael's mother. A former actress, she is a loving mother who is busy trying to live up to her husband's desire to only associate with "the best people" as well as be the model wife and mother. She worries that she's not up to these tasks but she discovers that she is. The actress who plays this role has some freedom to create her own version of this character. We are looking for a performer who makes strong, unique character choices both physically and vocally. BERT Male, sings solo, many lines, featured dancer The narrator of the story, Bert is a good friend to Mary Poppins and possesses his own touch of magic. Bert has many occupations, including lamp-lighter, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep. Bert speaks with a Cockney accent, which is different than the standard British most characters will use. The actor who plays this role must display a relaxed charisma and charm, excellent in- character listening/reacting skills, and must be comfortable dancing solo. GEORGE BANKS Male, sings solo, many lines, light dance The father to Jane and Michael Banks, George is a banker to the core. Demanding "precision and order" in his household, he tries to be a good provider but often forgets to be a good father. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul. This role requires an actor who can remain grounded and connected while being comically exaggerated with their physical and vocal performance. JANE BANKS Female, sings solo, many lines, some dance The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mr. Banks, she is bright and precocious but she and her brother Michael often misbehave to get the attention of their parents. The actress who plays this role must be energetic with excellent diction and be ready to ‘play’ on stage. Height may be a factor in the casting of this role. MICHAEL BANKS Male, sings solo, many lines, some dance The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents. The actor who plays this role must have huge physical energy and an expressive face. Height may be a factor in the casting of this role. MISS ANDREW Female, sings solo, many lines, no dance George's overbearing and scary nanny, she is the ‘anti-Mary-Poppins.’ 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. This role, while not in the film, is substantial in the books and in this show. The actress who plays this role must be able to deliver a powerful and intimidating performance. MRS. CORRY Female, sings solo, many lines, some dance Owns a magical gingerbread letter shop which has been around for a long, long time. She is a mysterious and larger-than-life woman who is of no real place or time and appears ageless. The actress who plays this role has some freedom to create her own version of this character. We are looking for a performer who makes strong, unique character choices both physically and vocally. MRS. BRILL Female, small solos, many lines, limited comic dance The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and sometimes grumpy, she's always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. She will speak with a Cockney accent. The actress who plays this role must give a broadly comic performance with both body and voice—all singing is done ‘in character. ROBERTSON AY Male, small solos, many lines, limited comic dance The houseboy to the Banks family, is lazy, sleepy and loves to grumble, he rarely gets things right and believes himself to be useless. He will speak with a Cockney accent. This role requires an actor with great comic timing and strong physical and vocal character choices. BIRD WOMAN Female, sings solo, no dance Her outward appearance is dirty and off-putting, but she shows the Banks children that appearances can be deceiving. She tries to sell her crumbs for birds to passersby, who ignore her as if she doesn't exist. Sings "Feed the Birds." She speaks with a Cockney accent. This role requires a mature and subtle performance and the ability to sing with both strong technique and great emotional depth. BANK CHAIRMAN Male, sings solo, some lines, no dance The head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed. He is focused on the bottom line and his cold demeanor is reflected in the cold walls of the bank.