Characters

Alderman Fitzwarren: 119 LinesA quiet gentleman of business who strives to do his best by his daughter, but is pessimistic by nature and easily driven to despair. Has a trusting nature and usually gives people the benefit of the doubt.

Alice Fitzwarren:105 linesThe pretty daughter of Alderman Fitzwarren. Has a more outgoing and optimistic outlook than her father, and a stronger more resilient nature. She has her feet firmly on the ground and isn't easily cowed by King Rat.

Sarah: 185 linesA hard-working cook with a robust personality, but not the typical man-eating overbearing dame character. She is world-weary and is driven to distraction by Idle Jack's ineptitude.

Dick Whittington: 139 Lines The typical thigh-slapping principle boy, keen to do well and impress people. Slightly gullible, and not at all streetwise. Although his bravery is never in question. Bright and confident.

Idle Jack: 142 Lines As the name suggests, he is lazy and would rather lie down than lift a finger, even if it meant making his fortune. He can't understand why everyone picks on him. Lacks courage, and should be played in a rather slow laconic manner.

Captain Bilgewater67 Lines Act 1: A slightly rotund Captain Pugwash type. Loudmouthed, brash and completely stupid. He has misplaced confidence in his own abilities, but a more breathtakingly inept captain of a ship it would be hard to imagine. Can be played equally by a male or female.

Scupper: 67 Lines Act 1The long-suffering but loyal first mate to the captain. Tries his best to make up for the Captain's ineptitude. Not without a wry sense of humour.

Shovel & Spade:30 lines act 1Two crafty and slightly shady, council workman. They are always looking for ways to get out of doing any actual work, and take great delight in taking advantage of gullible people. Rude and arrogant.

Fairy Bowbelle: 77 Lines The typical pantomime fairy, but not as demure and fluffy as usual. Gives as good as she gets when face to face with King Rat.

King rat:133 Lines A slimy, sneaky and contemptuous villain. He is twisted with bitterness and anger at not becoming Mayor of London, and is intent on wreaking revenge on the city by using his rats to bring it down. He has no redeeming features, and should be played as a cross between Uriah Heap from David Copperfield and the Childcatcher from Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang.

Sultan: 53 Lines Act 2A typically rotund Sultan. He is desperate to offload his ugly daughter and will do almost anything to achieve this aim. Although he is the supreme ruler over his people, he is hen-pecked by and almost subject to his spoilt daughter.

Florabunda: 29 Lines Act 2The ugly, overbearing daughter of the Sultan. She is completely spoilt and shows this in her constant shouting and tantrum throwing. She is desperate to land herself a man - any man, and takes an instant liking to Idle Jack - much to his horror. But when that doesn't work out she immediately switches her attention to Dick.

Mustapha & Leak:24 Lines The Eastern equivalent of Shovel & Spade.

Tommy:58 occasions he does things Dick's constant companion. A slinky feline who should be able to move effortlessly, and be good at acting using mime. Probably best played by a flexible young girl.

Stan The Man: 15 lines A parody of the personal accident salesmen who constantly appear on our TV screens. Can easily be played by a female by changing the name to 'Pearl the girl'.