Basic Theatre Etiquette Reminders TURN OFF Photography is not permitted during the performance.

Transcription

1 Show Guide

2 Chanhassen Dinner Theatres created this guide as a tool for educators to encourage their students to explore both the story and the production elements of the show. Live theatre can enrich young peoples lives like few other experiences. This study guide contains information that allows students of music, theatre and dance to experience, respond to and critique live performance. CDT's hope is that youth will gain a greater understanding and appreciation for musical theatre and its role in our lives and greater community. Basic Theatre Etiquette Reminders 1. Do not talk, whisper, sing or hum during the performance. 2. Keep feet on the floor, with your shoes on. Health and Safety regulations require that everyone wear shoes. 3. Clap after the songs to show the performers that you are enjoying the show. 4. Remain seated until the end of the show, and clap during the curtain call to say "thank you" to the performers and orchestra. 5. Do not use any electronic devices during the performance. TURN OFF all cell phones, i-pods, cameras, etc. before the the show begins. 6. Photos may be taken prior to the show-photography is not permitted during the performance. 7. Gratuity (tip) is not included on any items not included in your ticket price. Please be prepared to tip your server on those items. If you have questions, please ask your server.

3 Behind the Scenes From play selection to opening night- Check out the process of getting a CDT show on stage As a producing theatre company, CDT has facilities to create all production elements from scratch. From initial concepts of scenic design and costume creation to choreography, music, lighting, sound and propseverything is created at Chanhassen. After a show is selected, the artistic director works closely with the design team in development. Once designers understand the director's vision, they begin researching and creating. The scenic designer creates a scenic plot on paper and then makes a scale model of the set, set pieces and backdrops. From these, the technical director begins to build the world of the show. The costume designer sketches costume renderings and selects fabric swatches for each costume. From these drawings, costume artisans hand-make patterns and begin building costumes. The properties master begins gathering the wide range of props called for in the script. From loaves of bread and shrunken heads to foreign currencies and hairspray cans, props are created with each item hand-crafted to look like the real thing according to the time period. It takes the scene, costume and prop shops about twelve weeks to produce everything needed for the show. Items need to be made sturdily to handle wear and tear.

4 The musical director re-works the musical score for CDT s live, professional orchestra and rehearses with musicians. The choreographer works closely with the director and music director to create actors' movements for dance and musical numbers. Sound and lighting designers plot technical components to create effect and mood. Actors begin rehearsals just 2½ weeks prior to opening. When they arrive, they have their lines and much of the music prepared. Rehearsals are packed with perfecting music, learning choreography and blocking scenes. In-between, are costume fittings and press interviews. During a rehearsal period, many actors do double-duty; they rehearse by day and perform the currently-running production by night. The currently-running production closes over the weekend, at which time the old set is removed to make room for the new one. Over Tech Week, scenery is brought in, drops hung, special effects set, and the floor painted. Light and sound technicians re-direct over 250 separate lighting instruments in accordance with the designer's plot. Body microphones are re-plotted and all sound cues recorded. Finishing touches are made to costumes, scenery is put into place and the production stage manager coordinates the details and communication. Everything comes together for the actors' first stage rehearsal. The director, cast, orchestra and design team work to make sure that everything is seamless. Can you believe the company has only three days to make this happen before opening night? It's nothing short of amazing that a new musical can be created in such a short time. Another op'nin, another show!

5 SYNOPSIS ACT ONE The show opens with Bert, a man of many professions, who introduces Cherry Tree Lane. ( Chim Chim Cher-ee ) Number 17 is where the Banks family lives: George and Winifred Banks, their children, Jane and Michael, their cook Mrs. Brill, their nanny Katie Nanna, and their odd-job man, Robertson Ay. The children escape from Katie Nanna when she insists they do their lessons, but end up running into the local policeman who drags them home. Katie Nanna later declares that she quits because Jane and Michael are out of control. As it turns out, Katie Nanna is the sixth nanny to leave abruptly in the last four months. While Winifred worries about what she ll tell her husband, Mrs. Brill and Robertson Ay complain about living in a complete madhouse. ( Cherry Tree Lane ) George suddenly interrupts, saying what they really need is a firm nanny, one who should govern and should rule. He suggests Winifred place an ad in The Times stating that Jane and Michael Banks require the best possible nanny at the lowest possible wage. Michael and Jane, eavesdropping, decide to write their own advertisement for a nanny. They bring it to George and, as he reads it, he thinks the description is ridiculous. ( The Perfect Nanny ) George tears the advertisement up, throws it in the fireplace, and the wind carries it up the chimney. ( Cherry Tree Lane (Part 2)) Soon after, Mary Poppins appears. She says she s answering an advertisement for a nanny and she reads the now mended piece of paper that Jane and Michael wrote. George hastily insists that she take it up Winifred and then makes his way out of the house. Winifred and Mary talk, coming to terms quickly and Mary takes charge of the children. Jane and Michael soon learn of Mary Poppins qualities and of her confidence in her qualifications as a nanny. ( Practically Perfect ) On their first outing, Mary Poppins and the children meet Bert. Mary invites Bert to walk with them, but Michael and Jane protest, saying that Bert is very dirty and that their father would never approve, additionally, they don t want to visit the park. Bert tells them they shouldn t jump to conclusions so quickly the park can be a lively and fun place, especially with Mary Poppins around. ( Jolly Holiday ) Suddenly, Mary has brought the park statues to life and the whole park changes before the children s amazed eyes. The cheerful transformation soon ends, and the children are left wondering if what they just saw really happened. As they head for home, Jane and Michael ask Mary how long she will stay and when she responds, We ll see, they plead for her to never leave. Upon arriving home at Number 17, the children tell Mr. Banks what a marvelous day they had. After a brief conversation, George tells the children to let him finish his work and they exit while Winifred comes to speak to her husband. Winifred is aware that she is somehow disappointing both her children and her husband, though George, on the other hand, can t understand why she finds the role of wife and mother so difficult. He tells her all she needs to do is be Mrs. Banks. ( Cherry Tree Lane (Reprise) / Being Mrs. Banks / Jolly Holiday (Reprise)) Winifred decides that the way to be Mrs. Banks is to host a tea party. She is anxious, but with Mrs. Brill s expertise things are well in hand. Well in hand, until Jane and Michael decide to try to make the icing. A ruckus ensues, with the kitchen ending in disarray. Winifred, already on edge, is horrified by what the children have done, when Mary Poppins suddenly appears. Winifred suggests the children need some very nasty medicine, and Mary Poppins agrees. Mary administers the medicine and ushers the children into helping clean up the kitchen, turning the mess into a lesson that with any job that must be done, there is an element of fun. ( Spoonful of Sugar ) After the kitchen is cleaned up, it is revealed that none of the invitees to the tea party are coming after all. Later, Mary takes the children to visit their father at the bank. ( Precision and Order / A Man Has Dreams ) George is busy dealing with possible investment clients: first, an ambitious man named Von Hussler, who has an elaborate money-making scheme, and second, a middle-class man named Northbrook, who has a simple factory project. When Mary and the children enter, George is furious, though Northbrook doesn t mind at all, even giving Michael and Jane a sixpence apiece. An innocent question from Jane What s more important, a good idea or a good man? causes George to realize his values have changed over the years; he is no longer idealistic. He decides to accept Northbrook s project and rejects Von Hussler s plan. ( A Man Had Dreams (Part 2))

6 Act One Cont. Mary, Michael and Jane next visit St. Paul s Cathedral where Mary introduces the Children to The Bird Woman. Michael and Jane initially exclaim that she s a horrible old woman because she s just a bundle of rags, but Mary insists that they need to learn to look past what they see. Jane is still suspicious, but Michael buys a bag of seed from the woman and feeds the birds around them. ( Feed the Birds ) On their way home, Mary takes the children to meet Mrs. Corry, a woman who, according to Bert, is older than anyone in the world. To the children s confusion, they go to the park to call at her shop,which magically appears. As Mrs. Corry speaks to Jane, Michael, and Mary, she reveals that their father used to sneak into her shop and loved her gingerbread stars. She gives Michael and Jane a bag to give to George. As it turns out, Mrs. Corry s shop sells magical candy and conversation. Mrs. Corry brings out some letters upon Mary s request for an ounce of conversation. The children pick out several letters each, then they make up words. ( Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious ) The children return home in high spirits, but unbeknownst to them, things have gone terribly wrong for their father. George s refusal to loan Von Hussler money has cost the bank. Von Hussler borrowed from a rival bank and now it s turned into a gold mine. George reveals to Winifred he has been suspended without salary until they decide what to do with him. In his frustration, George shouts at Jane and Michael. In reaction to George s outburst, Jane gets upset and ends up in an argument with Michael over a toy. Mary warns the two to be careful of the things they wish for and to control their tempers. ( Playing The Game ) Once the children are asleep, Mary has a conversation with Bert about how she can t help them learn if they won t let her and there s no one so hard to teach as the child who knows everything. ( Chim Chim Cher-ee (Rooftop Duet)) She departs No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane, leaving a short and vague note behind in hopes that her absence will bring the children to their senses. When Jane and Michael wake and see the note they are distraught and perplexed. Her note implies that perhaps they will see her again. ACT Two Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane is bustling - a new nanny is arriving. In a misguided attempt to please her husband, Mrs. Banks arranges for his childhood nanny, Miss Andrew to take over for the suddenly departed Mary Poppins. The children, who are fully expecting Mary to have returned, are frightened when they find out that Miss Andrews is their new nanny. Miss Andrew is a brutal and cruel tyrant, rejecting any notion of a spoonful of sugar and instead using her own terrible elixir. ( Brimstone and Treacle ) At the very sight of Miss Andrew, a haunted Mr. Banks flees, exclaiming "the Holy Terror!" Frightened of their new nanny, Michael and Jane escape to the park and find Bert there. They explain the situation and Bert tells them they need some good luck. Much to Michael s delight, Bert extracts a kite from his bag, and he fulfills Michael s longtime wish to learn to fly a kite. ( Let s Go Fly A Kite ) The kite gets caught and at the end of the string, who should reappear, but Mary Poppins herself! Overjoyed to see her, the children quickly tell her of the changes that have taken place at Number 17. Mary Poppins decides that she will return with the children and face Miss Andrews at once. Also hiding in the park is Mr. Banks, who is depressed over his supposed lack of achievements. ( Good For Nothing ) Searching for him is Winifred, nearly at her wits end, who at last understands her children and husband. ("Being Mrs. Banks (Reprise)) When the children return to Number 17, Mary sets Miss Andrew's lark, Caruso, free from his cage. The two nannies have a confrontation with Miss Andrew getting a taste of her own medicine by Mary Poppins hand, and her magical disappearance. ("Brimstone and Treacle (Part 2)) Winifred and George return, surprised but pleased that Miss Andrew is no longer in charge of the children. Mary makes no promises to stay for any certain amount of time, instead saying that she will stay for as long as necessary. ( Practically Perfect (Reprise)) On their next adventure, Jane, Michael and Mary are whisked up to the rooftops where Bert introduces the children to his friends the chimney sweeps. ( Step in Time ) The sweeps dance across the rooftops of London and into the Banks house, causing joyful chaos as they dance. The merriment ends when a telegram arrives.

7 Act Two Cont. The telegram requests George s presence at the bank before it closes for the evening. Assuming the worst, he decides it's time to sell the family heirloom: a beautiful vase that his mother left him. Unintentionally, Mrs. Brill drops the vase, shattering it. As she is led away for comfort, George goes to clean the broken pile, only to find a collection of hidden gingerbread stars from his childhood. This leads to a brief moment of reflection for George. ( A Man Has Dreams (Reprise)/ A Spoonful of Sugar (Reprise)) George bids the children goodnight and heads off to the bank to receive his fate. At the children's encouragement, Winifred decides to follow her heart and be at George's side at the bank. ( Anything Can Happen ) Unseen, Mary takes Jane and Michael to follow, where they watch the events unfold. At the bank, George defends his actions to the Board of Directors, only to learn the shocking truth: far from bankrupting the bank, he has made a fortune! Herr VonHussler s schemes have fallen apart and the bank s competition has been ruined and John Northbrook s factories have made a healthy profit. When asked what made them so successful, George admits that Mary Poppins' fantastic word is to be hailed. ( Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (Reprise)) Winifred, upon arriving to defend her husband, finds instead that he is the hero of the hour. The bank offers him the job of senior manager with a salary of quadruple what he was making before. George agrees, but under one condition: that from now on, family must come first. George then apologizes to Winifred for underestimating her all these years. ( Anything Can Happen (Part 2)) As Mr. and Mrs. Banks happily walk along the London streets, Mary, Jane, Michael, Burt and Mrs. Corry join them. Mary realizes that with the family reunited, her task is done. With regret she says goodbye to Bert with a kiss, and sets off ( A Spoonful of Sugar (Farewell Reprise)) Jane and Michael accept that Mary Poppins is leaving them and they tell her that they'll never forget her. ( Anything Can Happen (Reprise) / Supercalifragilisticexpialidous (Reprise)) Musical Numbers Act One Prologue / Chim Chim Cher-ee - Bert Cherry Tree Lane (Part 1)- George, Winifred, Jane, Micael, Mrs. Brill, Robertson Ay The Perfect Nanny - Jane & Michael Cherry Tree Lane ( Part 2) - George, Winifred, Jane, Michael, Mrs. Brill, Robertson Ay Practically Perfect - Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael Jolly Holiday- Bert, Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, Ensemble Cherry Tree Lane (reprise) / Being Mrs. Banks / Jolly Holiday (reprise) - George, Winifred, Jane, Michael A Spoonful of Sugar - Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, Robertson Ay, Winifred Precision and Order / A Man Has Dreams - Clerks and Banker, George, Von Hussler, Northbrook Feed the Birds - Bird Woman, Mary Poppins Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious - Mary Poppins, Mrs. Corry, Bert, Jane, Michael, Ensemble Playing the Game- Mary Poppins, Valentine, Jane, Michael, Toys Chim Chim Cher-ee (Rooftop Duet)- Bert, Mary Poppins Act Two Entr acte: Run Away Brimstone and Treacle (Part 1) - Miss Andrew, Michael Let s Go Fly a Kite - Bert, Park Keeper, Jane, Michael Good for Nothing / Being Mrs. Banks (reprise) - George, Winifred Brimstone and Treacle (Part 2) - Mary Poppins, Miss Andrew, Jane, Michael Step in Time - Bert, Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, Sweeps A Man Has Dreams / A Spoonful of Sugar (reprise) - George, Bert Anything Can Happen - Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, Bert, Mrs. Corry, Ensemble A Spoonful of Sugar (farewell reprise) - Mary Poppins, George, Winifred, Jane, Michael Anything Can Happen /Supercalifragilisticexpialidous - All

8 Characters Mr. George Banks Mrs. Winifred Banks Bert A one-man-band, sidewalk artist, chimney sweep & kite salesman, Bert narrates the story, introducing the audience to the family of No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane. Above all, he is a friend to Mary Poppins, Jane and Michael. A bank manager, Mr. Banks is father to Jane and Michael. He tries to be a good provider, but often forgets how to be a good father. A former actress, Mrs. Banks struggles to find herself as a woman as well as a wife and mother. Jane Banks The Banks children, Jane and Michael Banks Michael are bright and precocious. They misbehave to get their parents attention. Katie Nanna The last in a long line of nannies for the Banks children. Unable to stand life at No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane, she leaves Jane and Michael resulting in an opening for Mary Poppins Mary Poppins Jane and Michael s new nanny, Mary Poppins uses magic and common sense to show the Banks family how to appreciate each other again. Full of hope even when things look bleak, she tells them, Anything can happen if you let it. Policeman Local policeman brings Jane and Michael home after many of their adventures. Admiral Boom The Banks friendly neighbor on Cherry Tree Lane Miss Lark Another Neighbor on Cherry Tree Lane Mrs. Brill The Banks cook, she rules the kitchen at No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane Robertson Ay Clumsy but good-hearted, the Banks footman and odd job man has trouble following directions. The Park Keeper A stickler for rules and regulations, the Park Keeper watches over the park near the Banks home. Mrs. Corry Mysterious and very old, Mrs. Corry runs the Talking Shop where people buy conversations and gingerbread. She knew Mr. Banks when he was a boy. Valentine & Two of the Banks children s William special toys. The Bird Woman She sits in front of Saint Paul s Cathedral each day, selling bags of crumbs for feeding to the pigeons Herr VonHussler A conniving businessman who cares only for money. John Northbrook A factory owner who cares more for his workers than for making money. Miss Andrew When Mary Poppins disappears, Mrs. Banks calls on Miss Andrew, George Banks old nanny. She is cruel and demanding Bank Chairman Mr. Banks boss at the bank Anything can happen if you let it

9 From Page to screen to stage Mary Poppins is the central character in a series of children's books written by P. L. Travers and illustrated by Mary Shepard, which were subsequently adapted for film and the stage. A blast of wind, a house rattling bang, and Mary Poppins arrives at Number Seventeen Cherry-Tree Lane. Quicker than she can close her umbrella, she takes charge of the Banks children-jane, Michael, and the twins-and changes their life forever. Unlike other nannies, Mary Poppins makes the most ordinary events extraordinary. She slides UP banisters, pulls all manner of wonders out of her empty carpetbag, and banishes fear or sadness with a no-nonsense "Spit-spot." Who else can lead the children on one magical adventure to another and still gently tuck them in at the end of the day? No one other than the beloved nanny Mary Poppins! -Odyssey Classics Adaptations film Mary Poppins was made into a film by Walt Disney Productions in 1964 based on the series of children's books. According to the 40th anniversary DVD release of the film in 2004, Walt Disney first attempted to purchase the film rights to Mary Poppins from P.L. Travers as shortly after it was published, but was rebuffed because Travers did not believe a film version of her books would do justice to her creation. He finally succeeded in 1961, although Travers demanded and received script approval rights. The relationship between Travers and Disney is detailed in Mary Poppins She Wrote, a biography of Travers, by Valerie Lawson. The biography is the basis for two documentaries on Travers, The Real Mary Poppins and The Shadow of Mary Poppins. Their relationship and the making of the film are also the subject of the 2013 film Saving Mr. Banks staring Tom Hanks as Disney and Emma Thompson as Travers. Books Mary Poppins, 1934 Mary Poppins Comes Back, 1935 Mary Poppins Opens the Door, 1943 Mary Poppins in the Park, 1952 Mary Poppins From A to Z, 1962 Mary Poppins in the Kitchen, 1975 Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane, 1982 Mary Poppins and the House Next Door, 1988 The first book, Mary Poppins, published in 1934, introduced the mysterious anti-heroine, a vain, magical English nanny blown by a windstorm to Number Seventeen Cherry-Tree Lane, London and into the Banks' household to care for the Banks' children; Jane (the eldest), Michael, and twin babies John and Barbara. Encounters with chimney sweeps, pavement artists, shopkeepers, and various adventures follow until Mary Poppins abruptly leaves. Her sudden return in Mary Poppins Comes Back heralds more of the same, as does Mary Poppins Opens the Door. The other books in the sequence, P.L. Travers explains in her introduction to Mary Poppins in the Park, describe incidents which happened during any of these three visits, for Mary could not forever arrive and depart. The process of planning the film and composing the songs took about two years. Songs in the film were written by the Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman. Mary Poppins was played by Julie Andrews. Disney cast Dick Van Dyke in the key supporting role of Bert. The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Julie Andrews, and was nominated for eight additional Oscars. Musical In December 2004, Mary Poppins: The Musical opened at the Prince Edward Theatre, London. It received critical acclaim and was nominated for nine 2005 Olivier Awards. It won two awards, Best Actress in a Musical, for Laura Michelle Kelly, and Best Theatre Choreography, for Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear. The musical has the original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes, and a few new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The musical opened on Broadway on October 16, 2006 and ran for 2,619 performances. It received a Drama Desk Award and a Tony Award.

10 Composer-Lyricist & Playwright Bios Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman (original music & lyrics) The Sherman Brothers were an American songwriting duo that specialized in musical films. Robert B. Sherman was born December 19, 1925 and Richard M. Sherman was born June 12, Sons of Russian Jewish immigrants, Robert and Richard Sherman began writing songs together in 1951 on a challenge from their father, Tin Pan Alley songwriter Al Sherman. Both brothers took credit for words and music, though Robert was primarily the word man and Richard, who would sit at the piano as they worked, was primarily the music. Their standard line, Robert s son Jeffrey Sherman said, was I write the words and music and he writes the music and words. After popular Mouseketeer Annette Funicello recorded a cover of one of their songs, "Tall Paul, they came to the attention of Walt Disney who eventually hired the Sherman Brothers as Staff Songwriters for Walt Disney Studios. While at Disney, the Sherman Brothers wrote more motion-picture musical scores than any other songwriters in the history of film. They also wrote what is perhaps their best-known song, It's a Small World (After All) for the 1964 New York World's Fair. Since then, some have claimed that this has become the most translated and performed song on Earth, although this is largely due to the fact that it is played continuously at Disney's theme park "It's a Small World" attractions. The Sherman brothers worked side by side at the Disney studio from the early 1960s into the 1970s, producing songs for several movie musicals, both liveaction and animated The Jungle Book, The Sword in the Stone, The Aristocats and of course, Mary Poppins for which garnered them two Academy Awards. another. Richard, the younger brother was devoted to song writing and had a blustery temper, older brother Robert had survived a difficult war experience and was more of a brooding poet type. In The Boys a 2009 documentary about the brothers, Walt Disney s nephew Roy, a former top executive at the Walt Disney Company, said that the difference could be seen in two of their songs from Mary Poppins: Robert more Feed the Birds, Richard was more Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. George Stiles & Anthony Drewe (new songs and additional music) The musical theatre songwriting partnership of George Stiles (music) and Anthony Drewe (lyrics) have been writing together since they met at Exeter University over twenty years ago. Stiles was born August 9, 1961 in Sussex, England. Drewe was born March, 22, 1961 in Berkshire, England. They were 19 years old when they began their collaborations. Stiles and Drewe have written five musicals together, starting with their first show, Tutankhamun, which is based on the discovery of the Boy-King s tomb. Perhaps their most widely performed musical is HONK!, a retelling of the Ugly Duckling, which has been produced over 4,000 times and won the Olivier Award for Best Musical. In 2004, they composed the new songs, additional music and lyrics, vocal and dance arrangements for the multi-award winning Mary Poppins. They have also written two revues and contributed songs to a variety of theatre, TV, and radio shows, including the Royal Shakespeare Company s Shakespeare Revue and Dame Edna Everage s Look at Me When I m Talking to You. In later years, the bothers were entrenched in a sibling rivalry and personality clash that eventually divided them and their families. Although they maintained a public relationship, they were fundamentally at odds with one

11 Composer-Lyricist & Playwright Bios Julian Fellowes (book) Julian Alexander Kitchener-Fellowes, Baron Fellowes of West Stafford, is an English actor, novelist, film director and screenwriter, as well as Conservative member of the House of Lords. Fellowes was born August 17, 1949 in Egypt, where his father was in the British Embassy. He grew up in England and was educated at Ampleforth College, Magdalene College, Cambridge, and at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. After drama school, he was a jobbing actor for ages and appeared in more than 40 movies and TV shows. Feeling in need of a Plan B, Fellowes turned to writing and worked for a while for BBC TV, where he adapted Little Lord Fauntleroy and The Prince and The Pauper for the small screen. Subsequently he wrote a screenplay for Anthony Trollope's The Eustace Diamonds, which caught the eye of producer Bob Balaban, who was looking for a British society insider to write a screenplay for a murder mystery. And so Gosford Park was born, and so was the rest of my life, Fellowes explained. Gosford Park was directed by Robert Altman and Fellowes won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in In addition to Gosford Park, Fellowes wrote the screenplay for Mira Nair's Vanity Fair staring Reese Witherspoon. He also wrote the book for the London and Broadway productions of Mary Poppins which is adapted from the novels by P. L. Travers and the 1964 film. He wrote the screenplay for the film The Young Victoria, which chronicles the early rein of Queen Victoria and features Emily Blunt in the title role. Today, the name Julian Fellowes is best known to world-wide audiences as the writer/creator of the incredibly popular period television drama Downton Abbey. Fellowes and his wife, Emma Kitchener, a great-niece of the first Lord Kitchener and a lady-in-waiting to Princess Michael of Kent, live in Hardy Country near Dorchester. Fellowes inherited the title of Lord of the Manor of Tattershall from his father, making him the fourth in his family to hold the title. Fellowes once said his father gave him this advice: If you have the misfortune to be born into a generation which must earn its living, you might as well do something amusing. P. L. Travers (based on the books by) Helen Lyndon Groff was born on November 9, 1899 in Queensland Australia. Called Lyndon as a child, Travers moved at the age of seven, along with her mother and sisters to New South Wales after the death of her father. She lived on her aunt s sugar plantation for 10 years, boarding at Sydney's Normanhurst Girls School during World War I. Travers wished to be an actress and dancer. Adopting the stage name Pamela Lyndon Travers, she gained a modest reputation as a dancer and Shakespearean actress. Her wealthy relatives, however, did not approve. Feeling that Australians lacked humor and lyricism, she left for London, England, to seek the literary life. Once in London, she wrote for Australian newspapers, describing her adventures abroad for her home audience. She also began publishing articles in various papers, including poems that she had submitted to Irish Statesman. Its editor, George William Russell, known as AE, became a lifelong supporter of Travers, serving as a friend and mentor. Travers's first published book, Moscow Excursion (1934), utilized her travel-writing experience, but the book that would make her famous followed close on its heel. Recovering from a lung ailment in the country, she regaled two visiting children with tales of a magical nanny, complete with parrot-head umbrella as a form of transportation and the ability to have tea parties on the ceiling. Mary Poppins published that same year (1934), and it was an instant success. Biographer Valerie Lawson wrote, The original Mary Poppins was not cheery at all. She was tart and sharp, rude, plain and vain. That was her charm; that - and her mystery. Five more books in the series followed over the ensuing years, the last being Mary Poppins and the House Next Door in 1989, all with illustrations by Mary Shepard. The 1964 Disney film Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, made Travers immensely wealthy, though she reportedly wept tears of disappointment and anger at the premiere. She never fully embraced the Disney version of her heroine, although audiences certainly did. One friend commented in a documentary on Travers life that her statements about the movie are almost unprintable.

12 Mary Poppins Word Search J O L L Y H O L I D A Y A M M A T L U M B R E L L A Y C E R B L U L J A C P L D N E L I S M A R Y P O P P I N S C E E B G D D I L N M L A D A H T T R B R I M S T O N E E E I M U I B E R A I H Y R R M K I I P L P A R K Y R F T J A N E S P L E M D L C I A M Y R V A S E U T S L E N P O L I C E M A N C L O E I E A F J B C Y K N C K J L W G E O R G E O H Y D E Y S L O L G D T B O P O A R L H O E A S T E P I N T I M E N A I O A E N G I W U R I O W L G Park Umbrella Vase Step In Time Jolly Holiday Michael Mary Poppins Go Fly a Kite Brimstone Dreams George Jane Admiral Boom Treacle Policeman Lucky Nanny Tuppence Winifred Mrs. Brill Miss Andrew

13 Mary Poppins Word Search Key J O L L Y H O L I D A Y A M M A T L U M B R E L L A Y C E R B L U L J A C P L D N E L I S M A R Y P O P P I N S C E E B G D D I L N M L A D A H T T R B R I M S T O N E E E I M U I B E R A I H Y R R M K I I P L P A R K Y R F T J A N E S P L E M D L C I A M Y R V A S E U T S L E N P O L I C E M A N C L O E I E A F J B C Y K N C K J L W G E O R G E O H Y D E Y S L O L G D T B O P O A R L H O E A S T E P I N T I M E N A I O A E N G I W U R I O W L G Park Umbrella Vase Step In Time Jolly Holiday Michael Mary Poppins Go Fly a Kite Brimstone Dreams George Jane Admiral Boom Treacle Policeman Lucky Nanny Tuppence Winifred Mrs. Brill Miss Andrew

14 Mary Poppins Crossword Across 4. Parrot handled 7. Servant who cares for children 8. What s more important a good man or a good? 10. Bert s dusty job 11. Based on the books by P.L. 12. Walt Down 1. She s Practically Perfect 2. Spoon full of 3. Jane and Michael s last name 5. Tree Lane 6. Mr. Banks profession 9. Mrs. Banks was an

15 Mary Poppins Crossword Key Across 4. Parrot handled 7. Servant who cares for children 8. What s more important a good man or a good? 10. Bert s dusty job 11. Based on the books by P.L. 12. Walt Down 1. She s Practically Perfect 2. Spoon full of 3. Jane and Michael s last name 5. Tree Lane 6. Mr. Banks profession 9. Mrs. Banks was an M S A B U M B R E L L A G Y N 5. C A P K H R O S E P 6. B R P A R I D E A N K I N A N N Y C H I M N E Y S W E E P T R T R A V E R S E D I S N E Y S

16 Sources: Biography.com Disney Theatrical Group Mary Poppins Study Guide IBDB.com IMDB.com NYTimes.com Playbill.com Playbillvault.com StageAgent.com Village Theatre Mary Poppins Production Preview Guide Permission to reproduce this Show Guide granted