CHARACTERS
Should you wish to have access to the audition materials prior to the workshop,
please email us at info@nellthemusical.co.uk to request access.
Download PDF of Characters
NELL
- Type: Lead Role
- Playing age: Late teen – Late 20s
- Vocal Range: Alto
- Female presenting
YOUNG NELL
- Type: Supporting Role
- Playing age: 10 - 13
- Vocal Range: Treble
- Female presenting
Info/requirements:
As a child, Nell grows up in a bawdy house run by her overbearing, vulgar mother, who forces her to work and endure crude company. Despite this harsh upbringing, Nell remains cheerful, optimistic, and endearing, with a natural charm, wit, and innocence. She is close to her father, who is in debtor’s jail, but resents her mother and their life. Initially shown as a child, Nell reappears as a young adult selling oranges at the King’s Theatre after a brief encounter with the King.
Ideally the two Nells should have sufficient physical similarities, as well as the inner character, to pass as the same person at
different ages.
ELEANOR GWYN – NELL'S MOTHER
- Type: Lead Role
- Playing age: Mid 30s – Mid 40s
- Vocal Range: Contralto
- Female presenting
Info/requirements:
A hard, cynical woman hardened by life and running a bawdy house alone after her gambling husband landed in debtor’s jail. Glad to be rid of him, she wants no further contact. Barely scraping by, she feels trapped, resentful, and drinks heavily to cope. Her bitterness extends to Nell, whom she sees as a foolish burden.
MARY-ANN
- Type: Lead Role
- Playing age: Late teen – Late 20s
- Vocal Range: Soprano
- Female presenting
YOUNG MARY-ANN
- Type: Supporting Role
- Playing age: 10 - 13
- Vocal Range: Treble
- Female presenting
Info/requirements:
Mary-Ann, an orphan with a background as tough as Nell's, works with her in the bawdy house. The two share a deep, sister-like bond, full of secrets, laughter, and hope. Her past need not be explored in the musical—what matters is their joyful, genuine friendship.
Ideally, both should have sufficient physical similarities, as well as the inner character, to pass as the same person at different ages.
CHARLES II
- Type: Lead Role
- Playing age: Mid 30s – Late 40s
- Vocal Range: Tenor
- Male presenting
Info/requirements:
The King has been in exile for many years living very much as a common man.
Although now dressed in refined clothes and surrounded by all the wealth and authority of his regal position, he still retains a down-to-earth unaffected character which endears him to the hearts of his people.
He is handsome and many women fall in love with him simply because of his looks.
There has to be an instant chemistry created between the King and Nell on first sight.
MARY MEGGS
- Type: Lead Role
- Playing age: Mid 30s – Early 40s
- Vocal Range: Alto/Mezzo
- Female presenting
Info/requirements:
Mary Meggs runs the fruit-selling business in the Theatre Royal and outwardly displays a fairly coarse character but is more of a rough diamond. She is generally hard-nosed in order to run the business, but she very much cares about the welfare of the girls who work for her and will try to help them through any difficulties they have.
JOHN LACEY
- Type: Lead Role
- Playing age: Early – Mid 40s
- Vocal Range: Tenor
- Male presenting
Info/requirements:
Writer, Producer, Actor and Master of Dance at the Theatre Royal. Involved in the theatre most of his life which has given him
all-round talent. He is typically artistic in character, flamboyant and emphasising dialogue with big gestures.
He shows genuine and warm appreciation of Nell’s ability to entertain folk by her wit and charismatic personality.
Comfortable with dance/movement
CHARLES HART
- Type: Lead Role
- Playing age: Late 30s - Early 40s
- Vocal Range: Bass
- Male presenting
Info/requirements:
Actor at the Theatre Royal. Hart has a similar background to John Lacey. Also typically artistic in character and always tries to give even greater emphasis and/or movement to his dialogue as if in competition with Lacey. Comfortable with dance/movement
SAMUEL PEPYS
- Type: Lead Role
- Playing age: Late 30s - Early 40s
- Vocal Range: Tenor
- Male presenting
Info/requirements:
Samuel Pepys is the acknowledged diarist of the times. He attends the Theatre regularly, mainly to pick up any gossip and find out what is happening in high society.
He is a fairly plain man with no great physical presence but is lucid and astute in his dialogue. He has a warm nature and falls
hopelessly in love on seeing the adult Nell.
LORD BUCKHURST
- Type: Lead Role
- Playing age: Late 20s - Early 30s
- Vocal Range: Bass
- Male presenting
Info/requirements:
Buckhurst is a stereotypical member of the upper class. He tries hard to display sincere feelings towards Nell but his true duplicitous character is all too apparent. His mannerisms
are affected but not overly annoying.
He should be tall, slightly overweight and of average good looks.
MR CHIFFINCH
- Type: Supporting Role
- Playing age: 60+
- Vocal Range: Tenor
- Male presenting
MRS CHIFFINCH
- Type: Supporting Role
- Playing age: 55+
- Vocal Range: Alto
- Female presenting
Info/requirements:
These are elderly eccentric servants to Charles II. They have served past monarchs and are worldly wise as to frailties of the upper classes. This gives them confidence to act sufficiently servile to retain their positions but without dulling their own unique characters. Comfortable with simple dance/movement.
LOUISE DE KEROUAILLE – Duchess of Portsmouth
- Type: Supporting Role
- Playing age: Mid 20s
- Vocal Range: Soprano
- Female presenting
Info/requirements:
Noticeable French accent. Comfortable with simple dance/movement
Louise is French and has been sent by the King of France specifically to strengthen a secret treaty between the two countries and convert Charles to Catholicism. She becomes one of the King’s mistresses and believes she is the most favoured.
Louise will have the poise and refinement of a high-class lady but she lacks the warmth of personality. All her thoughts and actions are driven by hidden motives which she is prepared to kill in order to achieve.
CARDINAL
- Type: Small non-singing role.
- Playing age: 45+
- Vocal Range: N/A
- Male presenting
Info/requirements:
This is a typical religious figure who is very confident in his position. He does not display much, if any feeling but has a very sinister character beneath the surface which is displayed in conversation with Louise.
He could be of any physical appearance but would look more appropriate as a rotund figure that enjoys the comfort of good living and food. Could be Ensemble member.
THE QUEEN – Catherine of Braganza
- Type: Supporting role.
- Playing age: Late 20s
- Vocal Range: Soprano – Solo only
- Female presenting
Info/requirements:
Typical refined Portuguese lady of fine but ordinary features. She should display a fairly weak personality living in the shadow of Charles. She has isolated herself from the king’s life and pays little attention to his associations with his mistresses. Slight Portuguese accent.
THE MISTRESSES (Ensemble)
BARBARA VILLIERS
- Type: Supporting role.
- Playing age: Mid 20s
- Vocal Range: Mezzo
- Female presenting
- Requirements: Slight Dutch accent
HORTENSE MANCICI
- Type: Supporting role.
- Playing age: Late 20s
- Vocal Range: Alto
- Female presenting
- Requirements: Slight Italian accent
Info:
These are both spoilt bitchy ladies who have enjoyed the comforts of living in fine surroundings but are not satisfied with what they have. In their only dialogue towards the end of the show they are vicious and acerbic towards each other and especially Nell.
THE SONS
CHARLES
- Type: Small supporting role.
- Playing age: 7-10
- Vocal Range: Treble
- Male presenting
JAMES
- Type: Very small non-singing supporting role. Could play Young Charles.
- Playing age: 4-6
- Vocal Range: N/A
- Male presenting
Info/requirements:
Only on stage for short time. There is reference to his death in subsequent scenes.
James is first seen as a baby and Charles around 3/4 years old.
After a very short scene the clock is moved forward 4/5 years and they then appear
that much older.
ENSEMBLE
FEMALE x8
- Type: Ensemble roles with opportunity for 4 cameo roles
- Playing age: Late teens +
- Vocal Range: Alto & Soprano
- Female presenting
Info/requirements:
Must be comfortable/confident with dance & movement.
MALE x8
- Type: Ensemble roles with opportunity for 4 cameo roles
- Playing age: 20+
- Vocal Range: Treble
- Male presenting
Info/requirements:
Must be comfortable/confident with dance & movement.
We're looking for singers and performers to bring this vibrant new musical to life!
WORKSHOP
- Saturday 15th November 2025 -
This is your opportunity to meet the director, experience the music and learn all about our upcoming production of Nell! The Musical.
AUDITIONS
- Saturday 22nd November 2025 -
Both 9:45am - 4pm
Workshop: The Cross Keys Inn, Lydford, TA11 7AH
Auditions: Community Centre, Top Road, Charlton Adam, TA11 7BE
For more information or to register your interest, please email info@nellthemusical.co.uk
The production will take place in the grounds of Charlton House, Charlton Mackrell on 26th / 27th June 2026.