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 and wit. 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.

KING CHARLES

Male presenting

Type: Lead Role

Playing age: Mid 30s - Late 40s

Vocal Range: Tenor

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-ANN

Female presenting

Type: Lead Role

Playing age: Late teen – Late 20s

Vocal Range: Soprano

YOUNG MARY-ANN

Female presenting

Type: Supporting Role

Playing age: 10 - 13

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.

MRS GWYN

Female presenting

Type: Lead Role

Playing age: Mid 30s - Mid 40s

Vocal Range: Contralto

Info/Requirements:

Nell's mother: 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.

Male presenting

Type: Lead Role

Playing age: Early - Mid 40s

Vocal Range: Tenor

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.

MR LACEY

MR HART

Male presenting

Type: Lead Role

Playing age: Late 30s - Early 40s

Vocal Range: Baritone/Bass

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

Male presenting

Type: Lead Role

Playing age: Late 30s - Early 40s

Vocal Range: Tenor

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

Male presenting

Type: Lead Role

Playing age: Late 20s - Early 30s

Vocal Range: Baritone

Info/Requirements:

Buckhurst is a stereotypical member of the upper class. He tries hard to display sincere feelings towards Nell but his true ingenuous character is all too apparent. His mannerisms are affected but not overly annoying.

He should be tall, slightly overweight and of average good looks.

MADAME MEGGS

Female presenting

Type: Supporting Role

Playing age: Mid 30s - Early 40s

Vocal Range: Alto/Mezzo

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.

MR CHIFFINCH

Male presenting

Type: Supporting Role

Playing age: 60+

Vocal Range: Baritone

MRS CHIFFINCH

Female presenting

Type: Supporting Role

Playing age: 55+

Vocal Range: Alto

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

Female presenting

Type: Supporting Role

Playing age: Mid 20s

Vocal Range: Soprano

Info/Requirements:

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.

Noticeable French accent. Comfortable with simple dance/movement. Strong singer.

THE QUEEN

Female presenting

Type: Supporting Role

Playing age: Late 20s

Vocal Range: Soprano

Info/Requirements:

Catherine of Braganza is a 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.

HORTENSE MANCINI

Female presenting

Type: Supporting Role

Playing age: Late 20s

Vocal Range: Mezzo

Info/Requirements:

The Italian mistress to King Charles II, she is a spoilt, bitchy lady who enjoys the comforts of living in fine surroundings but is never satisfied with what she has. In her only dialogue towards the end of the show, she is vicious and acerbic towards the other mistresses, and Nell especially.

Slight Italian accent. Strong singer due to a particularly challenging song.

BARBARA VILLIERS

Female presenting

Type: Supporting Role

Playing age: Mid 20s

Vocal Range: Alto

Info/Requirements:

Barbara is the King's English mistress. In similarity to Hortense (see above), she is spoilt and bitchy, only looking out for her own interests. Her only dialogue is heated and snappy.

Must be a strong singer due to particularly challenging song.

CARDINAL

Male presenting

Type: Small, non-singing role

Playing age: 45+

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 played by an ensemble member.

YOUNG CHARLES

Male presenting

Type: Small Supporting Role

Playing age: 7-10

JAMES

Male presenting

Type: Very small, non-singing supporting role

Playing age: 4-6

Info/Requirements:

The sons of Nell and King Charles, they are only on stage for a short time. 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 - the older James could also play the younger Charles.

There is reference to the death of James towards the end of the show and young Charles has a small solo on the topic. Potential for both to join the ensemble in various scenes.

ENSEMBLE

Mix of female and male presenting

Type: Ensemble/Chorus with opportunity for small cameo roles

Playing age: Late teens - 60+

Vocal Range: Mix of all voices

Ensemble members will play multiple characters over varied roles.

For female presenting chorus:

-Bawdy House Girls

-Orange Wenches

-Company Actresses

-Servants

-Ladies In Waiting

For male presenting chorus:

-Bawdy House customers

-Theatre goers

-Company Actors

-Servants

Must be comfortable with dance/movement. Ensemble will often sing in harmony.

Please email info@nellthemusical.co.uk if you are interested in taking part - we are still on the lookout for ensemble members.

AUDITIONS TOOK PLACE ON 22nd NOVEMBER, 2025

Main roles have been cast.