THE CASTING
Roberta (Bobbie) (f) – the eldest. She’s already fairly mature, but a move to a very different life in the country with no idea what has happened to her father makes her grow up even faster.
Peter (m) – the middle child. Peter likes to think he’s grown up but has a way to go. He and his younger sister often squabble and his attempts to be ‘man of the house’ often get him in trouble.
Phyllis (f) – the youngest. Despite this being a grown up Phylis recounting her youth, she’s very much the same as she always has been. She has plenty of comedic moments but is very much part of the drama too.
Mother (f) – a complex character and a strong role model. Her world is torn apart right at the top of the show, yet she is strong and doing her best for the children. There is some skill in portraying all of the emotions and subtleties of her story for the audience whilst hiding them from the children given that the production is narrated from their perspective.
Agent/Perks (m) – the Station Porter. A jovial fellow with an important job to do. He is friendly and likeable, providing some comedy relief throughout. The agent role is at the top of the show – one of the two gentlemen who comes to take their father away.
Agent/The Old Gentleman (m) – a very key character! He helps the children through their difficulties, including reuniting them with their father. It’s a well rounded role that will be loved by audiences even more through each act of kindness. The agent role is at the top of the show – the other of the two gentlemen who comes to take their father away.
Jim (m) – the Old Gentleman’s Grandson. The children discover him injured in a railway tunnel and they, along with their mother, help to nurse him back to health. Meeting him is likely when Bobbie realises she has grown a little more than she realised due to the feelings between them. They don’t have a love story per say but he is the first person her own age she really comes across in their new home.
Cook/Mrs Viney (f) – Cook is mean and unliked by the children, although the feeling was mutual. She is the recipient of a prank from Peter in which a bucket of water is poured over her head. Mrs Viney on the other hand is an Oakworth local who helps to support the family in their new life.
Maid/Mrs Perks (f) – Maid is a cause of confusion in the household as the children don’t understand what a between maid actually does. Mrs Perks is married to everyone’s favourite station porter and has a wonderfully memorable scene with the children.
Father/Doctor (m) – Father is taken from his home at the top of the show, accused of selling state secrets. We do not see him again (spoiler alert) until the end when he is reunited with Bobbie on the platform in the most iconic moment. Between those events, he doubles as the Doctor who appears various times throughout the show. He’s a likeable, professional man who has everyone’s best interests at heart. There is a lovely running gag about his payment plans that audiences will really enjoy.
Butler/Szezcpansky/District Superintendent (m) – following an appearance of the butler, this role doubles with Szezcpansky – a Russian man who has lost his ticket and accidentally ends up in Oakworth. He is a great writer who wrote a book about how to help the poor for which he was imprisoned. After managing to escape, he is trying to reunite with his wife and child who are here in England. The family help nurse him to health and recruit the Old Gentleman to help find his family. This is a really key character as it mirrors the families own situation. The District Superintendent appears in one scene with comedic effect. Please note, Szezcpansky speaks both French and Russian which must be convincing.
Except those playing the three children and Mother, all actors must be prepared to play multiple roles. Most of the doubling is outlined above but there are further character appearances such as the paper chase boys and railway workers which would be assigned once the show is cast.