Call for Expressions of Interest
We will host a One-Act Play Festival in 2026. Dates are 17th and 18th April.
Register your expression of interest and then get going with writing / casting / rehearsing!
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. .
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: B2
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.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
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.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal rane bottom: A3
Jane Banks
The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Banks, bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: A3
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. Michael should be a great actor and singer. Ideally, he reads onstage as younger than Jane.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
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. .
Gender: Female
Robertson Ay
The houseboy to the Banks family. Forgetful and clumsy, he often bungles simple tasks. He doesn’t do a lot of singing, but he should be a good comedic actor. Note: his last name is pronounced like “eye.”
Gender: Male
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.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Katie Nanna
Katie Nanna is Jane and Michael’s nanny at the beginning of the show. Overwhelmed and upset, she has absolutely had her fill of the Banks children..
Gender: Female
Park Strollers
The Park Strollers are citizens of London who go from drab and dreary to bright and colorful as they get swept up in Mary Poppins’s adventures in the park.
Gender: Any
Statues
The Statues are stone sculptures. Thanks to Mary Poppins, these works of art come alive and dance with Bert and the Park Strollers.
Gender: Any
Neleus
Neleus is a statue who, once brought to life by Mary Poppins, is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael. This role is a wonderful opportunity to feature one of the strong dancers in your ensemble.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: Bb4
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. While she should be a good singer, there can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that reflects the difficulties of her situation.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Honeybees
The Honeybees are conjured by Mary Poppins to help teach the children the benefits of “A Spoonful of Sugar.”.
Gender: Any
Clerks
The Clerks, like George, are employees at the bank. These roles require actors who can sing.
Gender: Any
Miss Smythe
Miss Smythe is the bank Chairman’s humourless secretary.
Gender: Female
Chairman
Chairman, the head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed shirt. He does not need to be a strong singer, but he should be a good actor with great stage presence.
Gender: Male
Von Hustler
Von Hussler is a businessman/woman 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.
Gender: Any
John Northbrook
John Northbrook is an honest businessman seeking a loan to build a factory for his community.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: D4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Vagrants, Buskers, and Passerby
Vagrants, Buskers, and Passerby are citizens of London passing by the cathedral during “Feed the Birds.” They can also be play the Park Strollers earlier in the show.
Gender: Any
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.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: C#4
Customers
The Customers are bright, colorful British citizens visiting Mrs. Corry’s Talking Shop. This group can be the same Park Strollers and Passersby from before.
Gender: Any
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.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: G#3
Kite Flyers
Kite Flyers consist of families flying kites in the park. They can also be comprised of the same ensemble members as the Park Strollers, the Passersby, and Mrs. Corry’s Customers.
Gender: Any
Chimney Sweeps
Chimney Sweeps (including Sweep 1, Sweep 2, Sweep 3, and Sweep 4) are Bert’s cheerful, friendly, and agile friends who keep London’s chimneys in working order. These actors should be great dancers and good singers, capable of bringing the show-stopping number “Step In Time” to life.
Gender: Any
Policeman and the Messenger
The Policeman, a neighborhood patrol officer, and the Messenger, who delivers a summons to George from the bank.
Gender: Any
Ensemble
All ensembles require group singing; featured roles require either solo singing or solo acting, or both. For each featured role, the pages showcasing the character’s lines or vocals are listed.
Ensemble & Featured Characters include:
Katie Nanna, Park Strollers, Statues, Neleus, Bird Woman, Honeybees, Clerks, Miss Smythe, Chariman, Von Hussler, John Northbrook, Vagrants, Buskers, Passerby, Mrs. Corry, Customers, Miss Andrew, Kite Flyers, Chimney Sweeps, Policeman and the Messenger.
Gender: Any
Bert, a man of many trades, introduces the audience to the unhappy Banks family: father George, mother Winifred, and children Jane and Michael (Prologue). The family, the housekeeper Mrs. Brill, and the houseboy Robertson Ay, are shocked when Katie Nanna quits and storms out in frustration. George muses about what he expects from the household — the nanny, in particular (“Cherry Tree Lane – Part 1”). Though Jane and Michael insist upon their own requirements for their caregiver (“The Perfect Nanny”), George dismisses their requests (“Cherry Tree Lane – Part 2”).
As if summoned, Mary Poppins appears, offering her services as a nanny. She fits the children’s requirements exactly (“Practically Perfect / Practically Perfect – Playoff”). She then takes the children to the park, where they meet Bert, who describes how wonderful everyday life can be when spending time with Mary (“Jolly Holiday”). At first, the children are not convinced, but when Mary Poppins brings to life a park statue named Neleus, Jane and Michael are in awe of her. The children return home and gush to their father about the nanny, but George is preoccupied (“Winds Do Change”).
A few weeks later, the household is preparing for Winifred’s party, and Jane and Michael make a mess of the house. Despite Mary’s magic (“A Spoonful of Sugar”), the party is ruined when no one attends (“Spoonful – Playoff”). Later, Mary takes the children on a visit to George’s workplace, the bank (“Precision and Order – Part 1”). While Clerks are bustling about and clients are trying to convince George to grant them loans, the children burst into the bank (“Precision and Order – Part 2”). After a thought-provoking conversation with his children, George turns down Von Hussler’s loan but agrees to give a loan to the kindly John Northbrook (“A Man Has Dreams”).
As Mary and the children pass the cathedral, an old Bird Woman offers to sell them seed to feed the birds. The children are at first disgusted by the woman, but Mary Poppins tells them to look beyond appearances (“Feed the Birds”). Afterward, Mary whisks Jane and Michael off to Mrs. Corry’s Talking Shop, where the children are given a delightful vocabulary lesson (“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”).
Later, Mary Poppins and the children return home to find George in a foul mood. He reveals to Winifred that after turning down Von Hussler, the client went to a rival bank that is now due to see great profit from the deal. The bank has suspended George without pay. (“Twists and Turns”). Upset about their father’s behavior, the children argue with Mary Poppins. Convinced they must learn their next lesson on their own, she puts them to bed and leaves behind a note before flying away over the rooftop (“Playing the Game / Chim Chim Cher-ee”).
Six weeks pass, and the household struggles without Mary Poppins. However, Winifred encourages everyone to tidy up the house for the arrival of a surprise guest (“Cherry Tree Lane – Reprise”). The guest turns out to be George’s former nanny, Miss Andrew, who immediately reveals herself to be a stern and cruel woman (“Brimstone and Treacle – Part 1”). Unhappy with their new nanny, the children run away and happen upon Bert in the park, who consoles them and produces a red kite, offering it to Michael. The kite ascends out of view, and when it’s reeled in, it brings Mary Poppins back with it (“Let’s Go Fly a Kite”).
Mary accompanies the children home and demands that Miss Andrew leave. Miss Andrew resists, but after receiving a spoonful of her own medicine from Mary Poppins, the woman flees, apparently sick (“Brimstone and Treacle – Part 2”). The family is relieved to have Mary Poppins back (“Practically Perfect – Reprise”). However, the children are still burdened by their father’s grim situation. They follow Mary Poppins to the roof, where Bert and his fellow Chimney Sweeps cheer them up with a lively tune (“Step in Time / Step in Time – Playoff”). Afterward, a Messenger brings news that the bank Chairman wants to speak to George that evening. Bert wishes George good luck (“A Spoonful of Sugar – Reprise”). After George leaves to speak to the Chairman, Mary Poppins instills confidence in the rest of the family (“Anything Can Happen – Part 1”).
At his meeting with the Chairman, George is informed that Von Hussler’s scheme has ruined the rival bank, while Northbrook has become very successful and is set to make George’s bank a fortune. George is ecstatic (“Give Us the Word”). With newly found confidence, Winifred bursts in ready to stand up for George. Upon learning the news, she helps negotiate a much higher salary for her husband. The family is thrilled by their change of fortune (“Anything Can Happen – Part 2”).
Back at the Banks home, Bert realizes that Mary Poppins will be leaving soon — the family no longer needs her help. He bids her farewell (“Goodbye Then, Mary”). Leaving behind only a locket, Mary Poppins disappears into the sky. However, she leaves the Banks family much happier than she found them, and they vow never to forget her (“Anything Can Happen – Finale”).
Outside the Coggins garage, Jeremy and Jemima Potts engage in a thrilling pretend race atop Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a weathered old racecar (“Opening”). A Junkman offers to buy Chitty from Mr. Coggins, but Jeremy and Jemima are dismayed when the Junkman explains how he plans to melt Chitty into scrap metal. Caractacus Potts, their father, is considering purchasing the car himself when Truly Scrumptious roars onstage on a motorbike, out of control due to a stuck throttle. Potts fixes her motorcycle, but Truly criticises him for not putting Jeremy and Jemima in school and insults his candy-making skills. Potts is frustrated, but Jemima and Jeremy reassure him (“You Two”).
The Potts family returns home to Grandpa. After bidding them all goodnight and reflecting on his family (“Them Three”), Grandpa absentmindedly blows into one of the holes on Potts’s “imperfect” candy, making a musical sound. Realising the candy’s potential, Potts and the children go to Lord Scrumptious’s Sweet Factory, where they realise Truly is Lord Scrumptious’s daughter. With Truly’s help, Potts pitches the musical candy to Lord Scrumptious (“Toot Sweets”).
Meanwhile, in their castle in Vulgaria, the Baron and Baroness discuss the Baron’s upcoming birthday. For his gift he requests the car that beat the Vulgarians three times in the Grand Prix – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. They call spies Boris and Goran and demand they retrieve the car. Afterward, the Baron and Baroness express their mutual affection (“Chu-Chi Face”).
At the Potts home, Jeremy and Jemima try to think of ways to raise money for Chitty, but Potts sings them to sleep (“Hushabye Mountain”). Soon after, Potts attends the lively Fun Fair (“Me Ol’ Bamboo”), where a man agrees to purchase his haircutting machine for thirty shillings – the exact amount he needs to purchase Chitty. Potts rushes off in excitement (“Me Ol’ Bamboo – Playoff”).
Potts restores the car, brings it home, and takes the kids for a ride (“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”). Truly joins them along the way (“Truly Scrumptious”), but their picnic takes a turn for the worse when Boris and Goran reveal they have abducted Grandpa (they’ve mistaken him for Potts). Chitty springs into action (“Chitty To The Rescue”).
In Vulgaria, Vulgarians gather in the town square as the Baron and Baroness announce the arrival of Grandpa, who they think is Potts (“Vulgarian Town Square”). After revealing that children are banned from Vulgaria, the Baron and Baroness hear that Chitty has been seen flying in the city. They demand that Grandpa make their car fly or face certain death (“Vulgarian Town Square – Reprise”). Meanwhile, Potts, Truly, Jeremy, and Jemima meet the Toymaker. He and Potts set off to investigate a secret way into the castle, but while they are gone, the Child Catcher steals Jeremy and Jemima away from Truly. The Toymaker leads Potts to a place where several children have been hiding from the Child Catcher. Truly catches up to them and tells Potts his children have been taken, and the Hidden Children offer to help get them back (“Teamwork”). At the castle, the Baron and Baroness indulge in the Brazilian theme of the Baron’s birthday party (“The Bombie Samba”). The Toymaker arrives with a gift – Truly and Potts, disguised as dolls. They sing to the crowd before unleashing the Hidden Children (“Doll On A Music Box”). Just when the Child Catcher is about to defeat the Hidden Children, Chitty bursts into the room with Grandpa, Jemima, and Jeremy riding along. The car gives the Hidden Children the courage to defeat the Child Catcher, and the Toymaker banishes the Baron and Baroness, repealing Vulgaria’s Suppression of Children Act. Chitty has saved the day (“Finale”)!
Jeremy Potts
Jeremy and Jemima Potts are energetic children who are always up for an adventure. They are friends and do everything together, and their greatest wish is to save Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from the junkyard. Cast two performers who work well together and are good actors and singers. It’s helpful if these performers read as younger than Potts, Truly, and Grandpa onstage.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Jemima Potts
Jeremy and Jemima Potts are energetic children who are always up for an adventure. They are friends and do everything together, and their greatest wish is to save Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from the junkyard. Cast two performers who work well together and are good actors and singers. It’s helpful if these performers read as younger than Potts, Truly, and Grandpa onstage.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Chitty
Chitty is the famous race car that beats the Vulgarians multiple times in the Grand Prix. Feel free to cast four to eight actors to create this magical car. While the car should have a distinct personality and a mind of its own, make sure the performers cast to operate the car work as an excellent team. They should be singers who are very comfortable onstage.
Gender: Any
Caractacus Potts
Caractacus Potts is Jeremy and Jemima’s father. He is an eccentric inventor who cares deeply about his children. Cast an experienced performer with a great voice who is very comfortable onstage. The role was played by Dick Van Dyke in the film version, and he’s a great example: a charming, charismatic leading man with great comic timing.
*Referred to as POTTS in the script.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: Eb4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Mr. Coggins
Mr. Coggins owns Coggins Garage and ultimately sells Chitty to Potts and the children. Cast a good actor who can portray Mr. Coggins’s humor and kindness. This role is non-singing.
Gender: Male
Junkman
The Junkman is mean and a bit scary. Cast a good actor who can lean into this character’s threatening persona. This role is non-singing.
Gender: Male
Truly Scrumptious
Truly Scrumptious is the smart, confident, adventurous daughter of Lord Scrumptious who quickly earns the Potts family’s trust. Cast a fantastic singer, actor, and dancer who pairs well with the Potts family and can command the stage.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Grandpa
Grandpa loves Jeremy, Jemima, and Potts with all his heart. Though his experience in the military drives many of his interactions, underneath all his bluster, the most important thing to Grandpa is his family. Cast a great actor and a good singer who is unafraid to make bold choices onstage.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: C4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Miss Phillips
Miss Phillips is the no-nonsense assistant to Lord Scrumptious. This is a great feature for someone who can create a strong character but might not be quite ready for a larger role. Miss Phillips does not have a singing solo, so cast a good actor with good stage presence.
Gender: Female
Lord Scrumptious
Lord Scrumptious is the all-powerful owner of the candy factory. Cast a strong, confident performer who is comfortable commanding the stage and pairs well with Truly. This role is non- singing.
Gender: Male
Baron
The Baron and Baroness are larger- than-life villains. Cast excellent performers who can act, sing, dance, and who aren’t afraid to chew the scenery a bit. The Baron and Baroness should pair together well and embody both the comically inept villain and the real threat to the Potts family.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: C#4
Vocal range bottom: D3
Baroness
The Baron and Baroness are larger- than-life villains. Cast excellent performers who can act, sing, dance, and who aren’t afraid to chew the scenery a bit. The Baron and Baroness should pair together well and embody both the comically inept villain and the real threat to the Potts family.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Boris
Boris and Goran are the worst spies ever. These comical roles play off each another throughout the entire show and have some of the funniest dialogue, so cast two hilarious performers who can really land a joke. Boris and Goran do not sing but should be good movers since they have some physical comedy.
Gender: Male
Goran
Boris and Goran are the worst spies ever. These comical roles play off each another throughout the entire show and have some of the funniest dialogue, so cast two hilarious performers who can really land a joke. Boris and Goran do not sing but should be good movers since they have some physical comedy.
Gender: Male
Morris Dancer
The Morris Dancers perform during “Me Ol’ Bamboo.” Cast good singers and great dancers who can carry the number.
Gender: Any
Fair Announcer
The Fair Announcer kicks off the Fun Fair by introducing the Morris Dancers. This is a great role for a newer performer who might not be ready to take on a large role. Make sure this actor has a big voice!
Gender: Any
Violet
Violet and Sid are great featured roles, and they are involved in a bit of stage magic during “Me Ol’ Bamboo.” Cast good actors and responsible performers who can perform the staging the same way for each performance.
Gender: Female
Sid
Violet and Sid are great featured roles, and they are involved in a bit of stage magic during “Me Ol’ Bamboo.” Cast good actors and responsible performers who can perform the staging the same way for each performance.
Gender: Male
Turkey Farmer
The Turkey Farmer has a brief scene after “Me Ol’ Bamboo.” This is a good place for an actor who can make a big impression in a short amount of time. This role is non-singing.
Gender: Any
Soldiers
Soldier 1 and Soldier 2 are the Baron and Baroness’s lackeys. These are great non- singing, featured roles for newer performers.
Gender: Any
Toymaker
The Toymaker has been secretly working to save children right under the Baron and Baroness’s noses. The Toymaker is compassionate, clever, and never gives up trying to help people. Cast a great actor and a good singer to portray the Toymaker’s kindness. The Toymaker should be a total contrast to the Child Catcher.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: A3
Vocal range bottom: C#3
Toby
Toby, Marta, and Greta are Hidden Children who help Potts plan Jeremy and Jemima’s rescue. They should be fine actors and good singers who shine onstage.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: A3
Vocal range bottom: C3
Marta
Toby, Marta, and Greta are Hidden Children who help Potts plan Jeremy and Jemima’s rescue. They should be fine actors and good singers who shine onstage.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: C4
Greta
Toby, Marta, and Greta are Hidden Children who help Potts plan Jeremy and Jemima’s rescue. They should be fine actors and good singers who shine onstage.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: D4
Chef 1
An ensemble role featured in “Toot Sweets”.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: Ab4
Vocal range bottom: G4
Chef 2
An ensemble role featured in “Toot Sweets”.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: G4
Ensemble
The ensemble for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR. is made up of a myriad of vibrant characters including Chef 1, Chef 2, Chef 3, additional Chefs, Workers, Townspeople, Dogs, Soldiers, Star Chorus, Fairgoers, Seagulls, Vulgarians, and Hidden Children. All of these characters help fill out the world of the show, so the bolder your actors’ choices the better.
Gender: Any
Child Catcher
The Child Catcher is a villain with none of the Baron and Baroness’s humor. Cast a performer who isn’t afraid to be terrifying! The Child Catcher doesn’t sing but should be a great actor.
Gender: Any