MARY POPPINS B'way 2009 Laura Michelle Kelly "Playing the Game"

When the stage version of "Mary Poppins" had its premiere in London in 2004, Laura Michelle Kelly had the title role and the penultimate number in Act One was "Temper, Temper." When "Mary Poppins" opened on Broadway in 2006, "Temper, Temper" was heard in revised form. In 2009, "Temper, Temper" was permanently replaced by "Playing the Game." Laura Michelle Kelly did not open the Broadway production, but she eventually joined the New York cast in late 2009. This gave the original stage Mary her chance to perform the new song, "Playing the Game," with the company. "Temper, Temper" and "Playing the Game" were written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe and were among the new songs added for the stage production to the immortal originals by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman. "Playing the Game" lyrics below:
Playing the game, taking your turn
Some children lose, some children learn
Treat the toys nicely and
Maybe they'll treat you the same
Playing the game.
Are you feeling any better, Valentine?
Much better, thank you.
Tempers are frayed
Tempers are lost
Nobody stops to think of the cost
But they tore my arm! Again!
Oh dear, Children who lose their temper will lose everything else in the end
They're not playing the game, not playing fair
Not with the doll, nor with the bear
Thrown on the floor and neglected
And they were to blame!
Playing the game
Please tell them Mary Poppins
Why don't you tell them?
What's going on? What's happened to all the toys?!
Make them grow small and get back in their box!
Why? You've hurt them and called them names
Now it's their turn
Summon the toys
Now is the time
To tell of your woes
To tell of their crime
(Crime!)
(Crime!)
Come one, come all
Enter the fray
They need to hear
What you have to say!
Those girls and boys
Who treat us this way
Don't deserve fun
So why should we stay?
They stamp and shout
Create such a fuss
They need to learn
The value of us!
Well?
You think you know everything!
I couldn't agree more. Jane?
They're our toys and we'll do what we like with them, so there!
So there, indeed.
Playing the game, having a ball
Those who won't play, shan't play at all
Will we meet again?
Maybe when they've learned to play
The game.

[@fountainchain126]

The stunning Laura Michelle Kelly. The original and the best. The only stage Mary who managed to bring with her that air of cool mystery, almost supernatural. She was sublime. I wish she'd do more!

[@jamescarrollau]

I worked on the most recent Australian revival and Stefanie Jones came very close - very cool, almost otherworldly. Cameron Mackintosh has just announced she'll be reprising the role on the UK tour.

[@oscareyus]

Please, share the whole show, this is a gem!!! Laura Michelle Kelly is the best Poppins.

[@oohasquirrel1]

She’s so stunning, with a voice so warm and clear as a bell. I wonder what she’s up to now; I miss her.

[@Ewan08]

Can we appreciate the camera quality for this video 👏

[@Sarah3984]

The only musical I saw twice. Saw it when Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee were in the first touring cast. Wonderful!

[@clevm002]

I love LOVED this original show. My husband took me to see the new revived version the other year and it's just not as grand as this version. However when I saw it originally it was Temper temper in the UK.

[@broadwaymike92]

I really liked TEMPER TEMPER. Still crazy how lot of people didn't like that one especially the younger kids.

[@raymondcusick354]

I saw it when I was 6 and remember temper temper so clearly!

[@ntherooh]

Temper temper is the better song and scene, it was too scary for kids however.

[@abigaildonnelly8]

Temper Temper was a little too scary for some younger audiences, which is why they changed it

[@TheFassa]

I saw the Broadway production when I was 6. Was I terrified of Temper Temper? Absolutely. Did I have nightmares about it? Definitly. Did I turn out ok? Of course I did, and now I look back fondly on the creepyness of Temper Temper. Playing the Game is fine, but it loses some of the spark that the original song had, ESPECIALLY the part with the judge where the whole nursery set turns into a courthouse.

[@Floridagirl24]

Keep in mind she was only 24 while playing Mary🤩👏

[@hilarylmaiberger]

Can you share the whole show!!!

[@jjuanpa]

😍😍😍😍

[@williamneale7238]

The original Temper Temper in Bristol had the children being k***** by firing squad, the London and UK tour version were tame in comparison. But still massively creepy, and LOUD.

[@Trant956]

Killed?!? Jesus Christ, bit dark for a show with a magical baby sitter isn't it? 😭

[@KimThanhTruong-jm2su]

But how did they end the whole show if the kids being killed in act 1

[@alexoy2k]

@@KimThanhTruong-jm2su they were probably about to be killed but then mary poppins brought the kids back to reality i guess?

[@scottmcguirk9680]

​@KimThanhTruong-jm2su it was like being killed in sort of like a dream sort of way like they were killed but like they woke up in their beds like as if it were a dream

[@atlsuperstar]

Temper was sooooo much better

[@Maddiegreene128]

Does anyone know where a full recording of this can be found?

[@KimThanhTruong-jm2su]

Do you have a video with Scarlet Strallen as Mary?

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Yes---you can see an excerpt from it at this recent posting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJXbp5qNqsd3obs

[@KimThanhTruong-jm2su]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886Thank you but that is Zizi Strallen, Scarlet’s sister! Scarlet was Mary in 2006-2008 WE production and 2009 in BW! Hope you did got a video of her 😊

[@Maddiegreene128]

Do you happen to have the full show, with Christian Borle as Bert?

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

No, don't have Christian Borle as Bert.

[@horaciosacco2538]

Casi la voz de Julie Andrews!

[@alexonmymind4925]

Temper temper was so much better! Scare the kids!

[@58joana]

A bit scarry! Beautiful voice, however.

[@williamneale7238]

Nothing compared to Temper Temper, and the stretching walls, doll climbing out of the dolls house, and demonic courtroom scene.

[@MichaelMartin-q4j]

Wow this show sucks

[@alexoy2k]

there's better scenes in the show. also, the version of this production has been closed for a decade by now, replaced by a smaller scale version with this scene being changed the most.