Persuasion

(For audition information please scroll down)

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Persuasion Cast list

(In order of appearance. Ages listed from the book where possible. *denotes character suitable for doubling)

 

Captain Wentworth

M – 30 – Our hero, a successful naval captain, who has made his fortune in the Napoleonic wars. Ready to settle down. Feels things deeply. Not over Anne.

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Anne Elliot

F – 27 – Middle daughter of Sir Walter, and our heroine. Sweet, thoughtful, obedient – she follows her duty, and is taken advantage of for it by her family. Never recovered from ending her engagement at 19.

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Sir Walter Elliot

M – 50s - Vain and selfish, has spent above his means since the death of his wife. Has little interest in his middle and younger daughters, and only real interest in attractive people and noble status. Diabolically bad with money - probably spends it all on mirrors.

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Lady Russell

F – 50s - A widow, godmother to Anne Elliot, obsessed with social standing, but loves Anne dearly. Everyone thought she would marry Sir Walter. Influential, not always in a good way.

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*Kellynch Servant

Any – A servant at Kellynch – very few lines.

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Mr Shepherd

M – 40+ - Sir Walter’s agent. Tactful. One long scene.

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Mrs Penelope Clay

F – 30s – Mr Shepherd’s daughter, who has recently returned home after an “unprosperous” marriage, with two children. Taken on as a companion for Elizabeth, everyone suspects she wants to marry Sir Walter.

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Elizabeth Elliot

F – 28 – Eldest daughter of Sir Walter. Vain and selfish like him. Spent years trying to court Mr Elliot, only for it to come to nothing.

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Mary Musgrove

F – 22 – Nee Elliot, Mary is much like her father and sister, but her selfishness runs to her always acting as if she is ill and put upon. Married to Charles Musgrove, has two young children but is not particularly maternal.

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Mrs Musgrove

F – 45+ - mother of Charles, Louisa and Henrietta. Smaller role.

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Louisa Musgrove

F – 20 – Eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Musgrove at Uppercross. Recently returned from school. Headstrong, but lively and fun.

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Henrietta Musgrove   

F – 18 – Next daughter of the Musgroves – quieter than Louisa, but still easily excitable. Romantically involved with Charles Hayter, but has her head turned by Captain Wentworth.

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Charles Musgrove     

M – late 20s – Eldest son of Mr and Mrs Musgrove of Uppercross – flippant and disinterested in his wife and family, but his heart is often almost in the right place. Has a soft spot for Anne.

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*Jemima                     

F – younger sounding – servant at Uppercross Cottage to Mary and Charles – smaller role

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Mrs Croft                    

F – late 30s – Older sister of Edward and Frederick Wentworth. A kind, joyful woman, proto-feminist. Moves into Kellynch.

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Admiral Croft              

F – 40+ - Mrs Croft’s husband. Much like his wife, a jolly and kind-hearted man.

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Little Charles              

M – 4/5 – Mary and Charles’ eldest son.

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*Mr Robinson             

M – any – A doctor. Calm, quite used to Mary Musgrove’s hypochondria. Two small scenes.

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Captain Harville         

M – 30s – friend and former colleague of Captain Wentworth. Charming happy man. Currently settled in Lyme.

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Mrs Harville                

F – 30s – wife of Captain Harville, a kind woman, always happy to help. Smaller role.

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Captain Benwick        

M – late 20s – a wounded former naval Captain, mourning the loss of his fiancée Fanny – Captain Harville’s sister. A little melancholy, loves poetry. Smaller role.

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Mr William Elliot         

M – late 20s/early 30s – cousin to Sir Walter and co, heir presumptive of Kellynch, has been out of the family circle for some time, but is now back, and making himself as agreeable as possible. Charming, but possibly too charming…

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*Waiter/Maid              

M/F – any – Waiter or Maid at the Inn in Lyme. One scene.

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*Surgeon                    

M – any – doctor in Lyme. One scene.

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*Bath Servant           

Any – servant to the Elliots in Bath. Very small role.

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Mrs Smith                   

F – early 30s – a former school friend of Anne’s from Bath, who is now widowed, in poor health, and in financial difficulties. Likes to monologue. Only in a few scenes but says quite a lot.

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*Lady 1                       

F – 20s/30s – A friend of Wentworth’s – one small scene

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*Lady 2                       

F – 20s/30s – Another friend of Wenworth’s – one small scene

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*Man 1                       

M – 20s/30s – Yet another friend of Wentworth’s friends – one small scene

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*MC                            

M – any, booming voice – announcer at the concert. One line.