The Best Man features a large ensemble cast, 13 of whom have solo numbers.
There are also over 20 other smaller cameo parts (several of which can be doubled up if necessary).
Cathy Price. 7 Solos
Age - 20’s. Daughter of Vi Price. She Works as a hairdresser in the salon. Loves to read romantic fiction, particularly Austen and the Bronté sisters, consequently she has high expectations of her boyfriends. She is very close to her Mother and Gran. A bright intelligent girl who sees the good in everyone but has made several unwise choices when it comes to boyfriends.
Danny Tilney. 5 Solos
Age - 20’s - early 30’s. Has worked as a fitter at Majestic Piles since leaving school. Danny lives next door to Cathy and fell in love with her when they had to kiss in a school play, aged 8. He has never told Cathy of his true feelings, and feels that he is not really good enough for her. He is a fair minded, caring, honest young man who lacks a little in self confidence.
Tony Wickham. 4 Solos
Age - 20’s - early 30’s. (Son of Ron Wickham). Works as a salesman at Majestic Piles. Flash, self assured, handsome. Uses his charm to get what he wants. Believes he can seduce any woman. His current girlfriend is Cathy Price but he is not faithful to her. He has expensive tastes and lives beyond his means. Has a gambling addiction and has run up debts at the local casino. This has happened several times before and his father has always bailed him out.
Pat Sharp. 4 Solos
Age - late 30’s - early 50’s. Vi’s elder sister, married to Albert. Works as the Make up/Beauty consultant at Boots. She is always well groomed and over made up. Pat is a rather frustrated woman who has needs which are not met by her husband, this has made her bitter and resentful. In her day she was quite a beauty and hates the fact that she is getting old.
Vi Price. 3 Solos
Age - late 30’s - early 50’s. Cathy’s mother, married to Frank when she was quite young (and pregnant) much to the disapproval of Gran. Frank promised her the moon but never delivered. He has spent many years in prison leaving Vi to fend for herself. She started her own salon with some Bingo winnings. A strong resilient woman.
Sharon Crawford. 3 Solos
Age - 20’s. Cathy and Lisa’s best friend, went to school with them, now works with them in the salon. Sharon is a pretty, confident, rather materialistic girl who likes the finer things in life, (but currently can’t afford them). She tends to judge things on how much they cost. She is very much a realist and is often frustrated by Cathy’s inability to see the faults in her choices of boyfriends.
Lisa Smith. 3 Solos
Age - 20’s. Cathy and Sharon’s best friend, went to school with them, now works with them in the salon. Lisa lacks the confidence of her two friends as she feels she does not have Cathy’s brains, or Sharon’s looks but she is an honest and faithful friend. She loves food, in all it’s forms and is an accomplished cook, especially baking. She tends to hold back and never pushes herself forward in social situations. A simple soul.
Gran. (Mrs. Fanny Hill). 2 Solos
Age - 50s +. Gran is Vi’s mother, spends a lot of time in the salon with her daughter and grand daughter. In her younger days she was a bit of a tearaway and now that she is older she feels she has license to speak her mind. Both her, and her daughter Vi, had to bring up their children with little help from their husbands, this has made them both fiercely protective and strong characters.
Ron Wickham. 1 Solo
Age - late 30’s - early 50’s. A thoroughly decent self made man. Owner of Majestic Piles and father of Tony. He believes his son has been spoilt by his mother, and it is this that has brought about Tony’s problems with gambling.
Rev. Collins. 2 Solos
Age - 50’s+. Schoolfriend to Gran, there is some hint that their relationship went further but he never talks about it. Likes to think of himself as a trendy vicar, a man who understands his parishioners, especially the younger members however this is not really the case. A kindly gentle man who is rather forgetful and disorganised.
Mr. Temple (Shirley) 1 Solo
Age - 30’s - 50’s. Manager of clubs and Casino’s in the East End. Has a quiet menacing quality that can be quite unnerving. As a child he was bullied because of his Christian name. This made him very self reliant and strong. To those who play by the rules he can be extremely charming and sociable, however if he is ever crossed he will move heaven and earth to seek retribution. Always immaculately turned out.
Maitré D. 1 Solo
Age 20’s+. Any. A warm welcoming character who ingratiates himself with his customers. Allegedly of genuine Sicilian descent but actually hails from Catford.
Auntie Margaret . 1 Solo
Age - 30’s - 50’s. Tony’s Auntie on his mothers side. Larger than life, loud and rather eccentric. Never lets her husband Norman get a word in.
Albert Sharpe.
Age - Late 30’s - 50’s. Married to Pat, Foreman at Majestic Piles. Been in carpets all his life, served his apprenticeship with Ron. Loves fishing, and often stays out all night, (mainly to avoid spending time with his wife).
Charlie Thomas. No solos
Age - late 30’s - early 50’s. Brother in law to Ron. A bit of a dodgy geezer.
Trevor Thompson.
Age - 30’s +. Male employee at Majestic piles.
Sandra Mayhew.
Age - 30’s+ Secretary at Majestic Piles. Secretly adores Ron but has never told anyone about this. Always well groomed, clever and extremely efficient.
Curly.
Age - 20’s +. Bald hired hard man.
Slim.
Age - 20’s +. Hired hard man, works for Mr Temple.
Smaller Roles
ABC News Reporter - Northern woman - Northern Man - BBC Reporter
American Tourist 1/2 – Fitter 1/2 - Shop Assistants 1/2 - Shopper 1/2/3
Miss Coombs - Policeman Strippergram - Posh Girl 1/2
