Audition Songs for Half a Sixpence / KIPPS – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Half a Sixpence or KIPPS – The New Half a Sixpence Musical? Well unless you have specifically been asked to sing a song from the show that you’re auditioning for, it’s generally best not to. That said, you should still show off similar vocals and personality. So here’s our list of audition songs for Half a Sixpence, broken down by character.
Half a Sixpence is a post-golden age musical and KIPPS is a modern remake of it. Because of that, the songs below are either from the golden/post-golden age, OR from contemporary musicals with a Stiles & Drewe feel to them. The following songs can be used when auditioning for either version of the show.
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Step 1: Read your audition details
Please read your audition details carefully, as they sometimes specify the type of song they’d like to hear (a ballad, something uptempo, etc.). Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your specific casting call.
Step 2: Get to know the show
In casting calls, they often ask for you to be “familiar with the show”. And even if it’s not requested, it’s generally assumed. One way to do this is to listen to the Half a Sixpence cast album➝ while reading through the synopsis.
Step 3: Pick an audition song
Next, based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether you’d like to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Just keep in mind that if you audition for a specific character, you still might not be chosen for that particular role.
There’s usually a spot on the audition form asking if you are open to being in the ensemble or accepting a different role. I would suggest ticking that box and taking whatever you are offered. Every role is important, and you will earn valuable experience in a show.
And on that same note, even if you audition for the ensemble (and not a specific character), there’s always a chance you might get chosen for a leading/supporting role!
To summarize, keep an open mind and try not to take the process too seriously. And when you’re ready, choose the song that you feel most comfortable with from the list below.
Ann Pornick
“Anything Can Happen” – Mary Poppins
“Ice Cream” – Anne of Green Gables
“Without You” – My Fair Lady
“Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” – My Fair Lady
Arthur Kipps
“Fortuosity” – The Happiest Millionaire [1960s film/non-theatre]
“Messing About In A Boat” – The Wind in the Willows
“Trip a Little Light Fantastic” – Mary Poppins Returns [2010s film/non-theatre]
“Wondrin’” – Anne of Green Gables
Chitterlow
“I Love to Laugh” – Mary Poppins [1960s film/non-theatre]
“Warts and All” – Honk!
“With a Flair” – Bedknobs and Broomsticks [1970s film/non-theatre]
“You Two” – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Helen Walsingham
“A Spoonful of Sugar” – Mary Poppins
“Gee I’m Glad I’m No One Else But Me” – Anne of Green Gables
“Open the Window” – Anne of Green Gables
“Practically Perfect” – Mary Poppins
Ensemble (Altos)
“Feed the Birds” – Mary Poppins
“It’s a Fine Life” – Oliver!
“The Joy of Motherhood” – Honk!
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Chim Chim Cheree” – Mary Poppins
“Lovely London Sky” – Mary Poppins Returns [2010s film/non-theatre]
“What Makes It Happen?” – Walking Happy
Ensemble (Basses)
“A Conversation” – Mary Poppins Returns [2010s film/non-theatre]
“I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” – My Fair Lady
“There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” – Sherman Brothers [1960s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Contras)
“Just Beyond the Stars” – Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure
“Stay Awake” – Mary Poppins [1960s film/non-theatre]
“The Place Where Lost Things Go” – Mary Poppins Returns [2010s film/non-theatre]
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos)
“Being Mrs. Banks” – Mary Poppins
“Secret Love” – Calamity Jane
“Just You Wait” – My Fair Lady
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“I Could Have Danced All Night” – My Fair Lady
“Show Me” – My Fair Lady
“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” – Mary Poppins
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Grand Knowing You” – She Loves Me
“If I Be Your Best Chance” – Walking Happy
“You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two” – Oliver!
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Half a Sixpence:
• “A Thirteen-Year-Old Maid” in Young Women’s Monologues from Contemporary Plays➝
• “Fifty-Two From Sixty-Four➝” from The Forced Marriage➝
• “I Shall Go Mad!” from Fourteen➝
• “My Shares Are Worthless➝” from A Little Princess (Miss Minchin)
• “You Won’t Misunderstand Me” from The Goal➝ (Sir Stephen)
Final Step: Prepare for your audition
After collecting your materials and getting familiar with the show, it’s time to move forward with the actual preparation. If you’re in need of some guidance on this step, you can always go through this FREE audition prep checklist!
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Half a Sixpence Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in KIPPS – The New Half a Sixpence Musical, along with which characters sing in each of them. Unless you have been asked to, do not choose from the below songs for your audition! The following is more intended to be used for character research purposes.
Act 1:
“Half a Sixpence” – Arthur Kipps, Ann Pornick
“Look Alive” – Shalford, Carshot, Ensemble
“Money to Burn” – Sid, Flo, Pierce, Buggins, Kipps
“Believe in Yourself” – Helen, Kipps
“She’s Too Far Above Me” – Arthur
“A Proper Gentleman” – Shalford, Kipps, Ensemble
“Half a Sixpence (Part 2)” – Kipps, Ann
“Long Ago” – Ann
“A Simple Lunch” – James, Mrs. Walsingham, Kipps
“The Joy of the Theatre” – Chitterlow, Ensemble
“Just a Few Little Things” – Kipps, Helen
“Just A Little Touch of Happiness” – Ann, Flo
“If The Rain’s Got to Fall” – Kipps, Company
Act 2:
“The One Who’s Run Away” – Kipps, Chitterlow
“Pick Out a Simple Tune” – Kipps, Ensemble
“You Never Get Anything Right / I Know Who I Am” – Ann, Kipps
“We’ll Build a Palace / I Only Want a Little House” – Walsingham, James, Kipps, Helen, Ensemble
“In the Middle There’s Me” – Kipps, Ensemble
“Long Ago (Reprise)” – Kipps, Ann
“Flash Bang Wallop” – Kipps, Ann, Sid, Pearce, Buggins, Flo, Photographer, Ensemble
“Flash Bang Wallop (Reprise)” – Chitterlow, Company
“Finale” – Company
Which of these audition songs for Half a Sixpence did you choose?
And what role are you auditioning for? We would love to hear all about it in the comments! And in the meantime, you can check out our database of best audition songs for other musicals.
Need extra help? Just go through this free audition prep checklist!
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She holds a BA in theatre, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.