Wilfred Craven (Dad) – plays 60-ish - Paul Foster

Retired victim of a hit and run accident which has left him with a steel plate in his head and no feeling in one arm, Dad is often described as ‘unclean’ by Mam, a fitting description for this somewhat unsavoury character. Unlike Mam he is looking forward to the move to the new maisonette and talks about the new opportunities this will bring. Dad has a complicated relationship with both of his children; besotted by Linda and estranged from his gay son, Terry. During the course of the play Dad has two seizures neither of which prove fatal but by the end of the play Dad is completely paralyzed from the neck down.

Connie Craven (Mam) – plays 60-ish - Anne Nunn

House-proud Mam has been married to Dad for 25 years. Forever forgetful she classifies people as clean and unclean referencing both body and mind. Mam loves to sing, especially the greatest hits of Ivor Novello, and believes that she could have been a professional singer. Mam does not wish to leave her old life in the ‘slums’ to live in the new maisonette and is visibly upset by this. In a strange twist of fate when offered the chance to live her old life in a new location it is her who embraces this change and undergoes the largest transformation looking forward to a future immersed in the past.

Ms Craig (Terry ) – 20-30-ish - Nick Lund

Cambridge educated sociologist, Ms Craig is most obviously a man dressed believably as a women. Ms Craig has been sent to observe Mam and Dad by the council’s social housing project. She is not allowed to interact or interfere with anything which happens to them during the play and at times is visibly uncomfortable which becomes even more apparent when we realise that Ms Craig is the Craven’s estranged son, Terry. Ms Craig’s presence is seen and felt throughout almost all of the play and he/she has a wonderful monologue at the end of act one describing the detritus of everyday life accumulated on the Craven’s mantelpiece along with some touching exchanges in act two with Mam.

Linda Craven – 20-30-ish - Anna Napolitano

Apple of Dad’s eye, Linda is far from the globe-trotting ‘Person Secretary’ that Dad would like us to believe. Linda is quite frankly a ‘tart‘ and lives up to that title. Between clients, unromantic encounters and posing for dubious photographs she is always looking for a way out. Although Linda doesn’t really seem to have an emotional attachment to her home or any of her immediate family we are aware that, despite outwards appearances, there is an air of underlying vulnerability about her and she is very much a victim of her circumstances.

Heritage – 30-40-ish (appears in Act 1) and Rowland (appears in Act 2 non-speaking) - Graham Collier

Described in the text as a ‘handsome brute’ Heritage is the chauffeur of an impressive Rolls Royce, complete with cocktail cabinet. Heritage gets up close and personal with Linda whilst being observed by Ms Craig. This only serves to add to their ardour which is cut short by Linda who abruptly changes her mind much to Heritage’s annoyance.

Rowland is part of Harman’s wider team.

Anthony – young/16ish (appears in Act 1) - Josh Coombes

Described in the text as having a ”young, wheedling and intimidating” voice and usually seen sporting outrageously dyed hair, Anthony is apparently one of the few people who is behaving normally whilst under observation. Refers to Dad as ‘Granddad’, although we are assured by Dad this isn’t actually the case, they appear to have a close relationship and share common interests which include looking at dirty magazines. Anthony represents the heterosexual boisterous son that Dad would like to have had.

Mrs Clegg – 50-60-ish (appears in Act 2) - Faith Powell

The Craven’s next door neighbour Mrs Clegg is a woman of a similar age who holds some pretentions to refinement. She believes she is one of those dying breed of capable women who can turn their hand to almost anything from delivering a baby to administering an enema should the need arise. This is comically demonstrated when she is called upon to assist Mam following Dad’s suddenly collapse. She too is part of the study and has her own observer (Adrian) although we learn that her behaviour is far from normal as she has suddenly taken up baking.

Sid – middle aged (appears in Act 2) - Ian Thomas

Sid is one of Linda’s clients and is brought into the house “to see her bedroom”. Sid comes across as a nice sort of chap and we learn that his wife is an invalid.

Harman – 30-40-ish (appears in Act 2) - Ian Creese

More used to working with South American tribes in the Amazon rainforest, Harman has transferred his anthropological skills to the urban jungle as the project co-ordinator for the council’s social housing project. Harman thinks very highly of Ms Craig and values her opinion. He agrees completely that Man and Dad will be perfect candidates for the project and uses his authority to stop the bulldozers in their tracks.

Adrienne – (appears in Act 2 non-speaking) - Nancy Lund

Observers - The importance of these roles for the success of this play should not be underestimated. Their presence has to be unobtrusive but at the same time we have to be aware of what they are doing and who they are observing. Additionally they help to dismantle the set towards the end of the play. Some of the ‘observers’ could be female.

Adrienne is Mrs Clegg’s observer and appears in act 2.

Charlie – (appears in Act 2 non-speaking) - Kerry Revett

Observers - The importance of these roles for the success of this play should not be underestimated. Their presence has to be unobtrusive but at the same time we have to be aware of what they are doing and who they are observing. Additionally they help to dismantle the set towards the end of the play. Some of the ‘observers’ could be female.

Charlie is part of Harman’s wider team.

Gregory (Appears in Act 1 and 2) - Tony Frier

Observers - The importance of these roles for the success of this play should not be underestimated. Their presence has to be unobtrusive but at the same time we have to be aware of what they are doing and who they are observing. Additionally they help to dismantle the set towards the end of the play. Some of the ‘observers’ could be female.

Gregory is Anthony’s observer. Gregory appears in both acts and has one line in act one.

Penny (appears in Act 2 non-speaking) - Eleanor Collier

Observers - The importance of these roles for the success of this play should not be underestimated. Their presence has to be unobtrusive but at the same time we have to be aware of what they are doing and who they are observing. Additionally they help to dismantle the set towards the end of the play. Some of the ‘observers’ could be female.

Penny is part of Harman’s wider team.

Director - Michelle Blake

Stage Manager, Properties and Set Assistant - Clare Pinnock

Sound - Ian Santry

Lighting - Carolyn Menteith

Set Design and Realisation - John Godliman

Continuity - Gillian Smithies

Set Design and Realisation - Simon Waller

Set Assistant, Hair and Make Up - Emma Dudley

Set Assistant - Nick Lund

Set Assistant, Properties and Flyer/Programme design - Anne Nunn

Set Assistant - Bill Payne

Set Assistant - Linda Russell

Set Assistant - Ian Thomas

Set Assistant - Liz Thomas

Set Assistant - Jenny Waller

Lighting Assistant - Nigel Greenaway

Wardrobe - Anna Foster

Hair and Make Up - Anna Napolitano

Continuity - Gillian Smithies

Photography - Alan Bostock (www.photoeyes.biz)

Front of House Manager - Frankie Godliman