Cast of characters
Those denoted with an asterisk can been either male or female roles
Ellie Marchland
(mid-forties – could be played by anyone from late thirties to early fifties)
As the named partner in her own law firm, Ellie isn’t actually bad at least not in the traditional sense;
it’s just as she’s lost her moral compass as grown older and climbed the corporate ladder. She’s
Dolores Umbridge on steroids with killer heels.
Susan Raleigh/Christmas present
(Roughly the same age as Ellie)
Ellie’s down trodden PA.
A bit like Baldrick to Ellie’s Blackadder, with a supportive manager she could be great. Instead she
has to cater to Ellie’s whims that sometimes set her up to fail.
David Marchland/Christmas past*
(late teens – early 20’s – can be played by a twenty something performer)
Ellie’s son. Idealist, musical and creative, while his mother would have him become another
corporate drone he wants to be more like his father. As past, he’s a bit more gregarious.
Jim Offerton*
(Any)
Northern boss of beleaguered Northern Lingerie manufacturer Undercover Limited. Very Northern –
probably didn’t go to university (went to the school of hard knocks and the university of life) and is a
fish out of water in Ellie’s corporate world.
Ben Cartwright
(mid-forties AND mid-twenties – ideally played by an actor in his thirties who can age up and down
as required )
In his twenties he’s a typical ‘suit’ but in his later years he’s a bit scruffy and unkempt, like a
geography teacher. He’s clever – very clever and he’s the one person that intimidates Ellie. He’s very
stiff upper lip
Ebenezer Scrooge
(any)
Although Scrooge has been written as the character at the end of the book, I’d like to see if we could
turn it on its head a bit – so age is unimportant- any changes can be written as ‘Dickens’ taking an
artistic licence.
Young Ellie/Christmas Future
(Mid teens AND Mid- twenties – ideally played by an actor in her early twenties)
Young and idealistic, although slightly alone – and independent. Believes that she can make a
difference to the corporate world- but it is that world that ultimately changes her into the main
protagonist. As ‘future’ she’s appalled at what she has become –
Martine Oliver & Antonia Stryde
(Mid teens– ideally played by an actors in their early twenties)
Young Ellie’s school bullies.
Mr Fitzgerald
(Forties or older – required to sing – although not necessarily in tune- could possible double with
scrooge)
Rambunctious, and slight camp senior partner in Ellie’s first law firm
Polly Anderson
(Any- singing role only- could double with Martine or Antonia)
Mr Fitzgerald’s PA and Karaoke partner.
Margaret Raleigh
(Sixties plus)
Sue’s mother, caring and kind, loathing of how Ellie treats her daughter. Cares for a Tim – and the
strain is showing
Tim Raleigh*
(Sue’s child – about the same age as David- incapacitated by cancer)
Two Undercover employees
(any)
Journalist
(any)
Old Ellie
(Sixties plus)
Nurse 1 (Taylor)
(Any)
Nurse 2 (Dannii)
(any)
Note: Ebenezer/ Fitzpatrick/Journalist can be performed by the same actor
Martine/Employee 1/ Taylor can be performed by the same actor
Antonia/Polly/Employee 2/Dannii can be performed by the same actor
If you have a pressing desire to play one of these parts please let us know !
Audition format.
The auditions will be in two parts – a normal performance of a selected segment of the script , plus
for the five principals (Ellie, Sue, Ben, David and Young Ellie) there are short monologues that will be
performed – these pieces are not part of the production but reflect the character at a different time
in their lives outside of the play. These are very much character pieces designed to reveal an actors
interpretation of the character.
The segments that will be used are:
Page 8 ‘The name’s Jim Offerton’ to page 10 ‘That’s management Bullshit’ (Offerton and Ellie)
Page 12 ‘ Don’t’ ask a question’ to page 13 ‘I think we are done’ (Ben and Ellie)
Page 16 ‘Hello is there anyone there?’ to page 17 ‘So little you understand’ (Ebenezer and Ellie)
Page 20 ‘Awight’ to page 21 ‘no-just yours’ (Past (David) and Ellie)
Page 30 ‘Yes Yes we’ll come to that in a bit’ to Page 31 ‘ Your PA’ (Present (Sue) and Ellie)
Page 36 ‘You’re me’ to Page 37 ‘Bendy’ (Future (Young Ellie) and Ellie)
Page 38 ‘ mmm okay’ to page 39 ‘Of course’ (Nurse 1 (Khloe) and old Ellie)
Page 42 ‘Where’s my keys’ to page 43 ‘We’ll be fine’ (Tim, Margaret Nurse 2 (Dannii))
I’m using the nurses segment as auditions for all the multiple roles .