This morning I was thinking about the production number, "Step In Time" from the broadway version of Mary Poppins. This was the moment in the play when moved by artistic lyric and symbol, I brushed away my tears. It was unexpected, since I've always hated this Disney classic, though I still refer to myself as "Mary Poppins" with treatment children. However, I was open to seeing the broadway version of this musical while attending the Shakespeare Festival with my daughter this past weekend. I was glad to hear from the festival's founder, Fred Adams, during the orientation how the musical version is different than the Disney movie and centers around Mr. Banks transformation. It's also about the most important work we can do in this life. I know Mary Poppins gets top billing with her iconic magical umbrella, but I want to highlight Bert with his cleaning rod-that's what I'd put on my poster. His work and the tools he uses are just as magical.
Bert is the first person we see in the play-he narrates it. It helped that this Cedar City production had a particularly eye catching Bert. Even the chimney sweep that came up into the balcony to sing made me smile with his handsome charisma. But in the play and maybe in the movie as well, (I'm not going to watch it), Bert is represented as a jack of all trades, not just a chimney sweep. He can do it all, and he doesn't seem bothered by his titles, reputation or lack thereof. He just goes about doing his work with a cheerful attitude. However, his most show stopping work is the big production dance number, "Step in Time" where he is covered in soot along with his helpers. It was at this moment where I recognized that the lyrics leading up to this familiar dance ditty were different than the movie. The lyricist, Anthony Drewe explains his effort to make a "textually more meaningful show-stopping sequence." He stated, "our notion is that chimney sweeps, under the leadership of Bert, are like sooty faced guardian angels...The sweeps take up the call in this song lyric:
Brush away the dirt and soot, brush away your tears.
Cobwebs that aren't swept away hang around for years.
In all weather, up all hours, we can see for miles
Our idea of heaven is night out on the tiles.
We may look like a motley crew, smudged with tar and grime
But when you need a helping hand
We try to step in, try to step in, try to step in-just in time.
(This is where the sweeps break into the familiar tune"Step In Time:)
Mary Poppins and Bert then do a duet:
Childhood is a step in time
Parenthood's the same
Never mind a chance to get it right
Don't is seem a perfect crime?
Don't it seem a shame?
When the steps aren't going right
or as smoothly as they might
That's when we step in, step in time
Just remember when you're low
Feeling in the wars
Someone's up your chimney
And it isn't Santa Claus
if you need us, if you don't
Doesn't make much odds
We'll be watching over you
brushes, brooms, and rods
Though the musical number was great and I appreciated the new lyrics, it wasn't until the following scene where this guardian angel theme really played out. I didn't remember this scene being in the movie. Bert and his filthy crew are milling about the family room looking very busy. It's a little out of place in prim and proper English household complete with maids in white pinafores. I'm not certain whether Mr. Banks could see them or not, thus the allusion to the angels. It was Bert who gave the father the letter requesting his late night attendance with his superiors. It was Bert comforting the father, assuring him things would work out and encouraging him to go. Mr. Banks is at his lowest-he fears he will lose his job and will be stripped of everything. His wife assures him that his family is beside him, supporting him all the way; it's putting family first and being with the people we love.
Observing Bank's despair about employment reminded me of my own friends who are currently unemployed and searching for their place. Our work is so entwined with our sense of worth. Without ennobling work, we find our self drifting, aimless. I too, search for identity through work and what my pre-retirement goals should be. Sometimes I'm career minded and feel I must get my masters degree right away. Other times, I feel it would be fine to do menial labor-whatever it takes to make ends meet and clean up my own messes. I suppose in the end, there is really no such thing as menial labor, even if we have to get our fingernails dirty.
Thinking back on the scene with the sweeps, I realize they are filthy because of US and our junk! It is our dirt and grime. Sweeps are trying to make our homes all English prim and proper. It is our mistakes, sins, weaknesses, infirmities, hardships they are trying to take on-bear if you will. For me, Bert is symbol of our the Savior and Heavenly Father. Who is a better jack of all trades? All things are done under His direction. He is certainly watching over us. His ministering angels surround us. They are doing His work. We minister to others in like manner-everyone pitching in to clean up the mess. Everyone helping with each others personal transformation-helping people make necessary changes; letting Christ change us.
Instead of viewing chimney sweeps as degrading, menial labor, it is the most necessary of professions because it helps others become clean and be comfortable with the people they love. It exalts others to a different station. Who wants to sit around in a filthy house, or travel in a filthy car? Or live forever with someone who is super messed up and unwilling to make any changes? We want to be clean without spot. Not only guiltless, but spotless-as if sins and impurities were lifted out of us like a floating Mary Poppins umbrella. Or better yet, with a Bert's cleaning rod stepping in just in the nick of time to make it possible.
