Sleeping Beauty – List of characters

Although the cast list seems long, there are really only 11 principal characters.

Added to this are a couple of characters “Cannibal Chief” and “Sea Captain” who only make a relatively short appearance but both require good acting skills.

The smaller roles were written to provide an opportunity for less experienced actors to take a speaking role. The “fairy tale” characters are ideal for youngsters to try.

Many roles can of course be “doubled”, if you are working with a small cast.

Princess Rose – Principal Girl. Acting age 16 years. Does not appear until the middle of Act I then sleeps until the end of Act II – but a very important character!

Prince William – Principal Boy, traditionally played by a female. Hero of the piece. Playing age approx 20 years old (or suitable to partner the princess)

Fairy Lilac – Fairy Godmother-type. Narrates throughout, in rhyme.

Fairy Lavender – More attitude than Fairy Lilac, but still a good fairy. Narrates throughout, in rhyme.

Fairy Lupin – Nice, but dim – tries to rhyme but can’t seem to manage it. More of a comedy character than the other two fairies.

Deadly Nightshade – The Baddie of the piece. Able to work well with the audience, to encourage boos and hisses. Lines are in rhyme.

Winifred Slaptickle  – Nanny to Princess Rose. Traditional Dame – flirty and funny,

Harry the Jester – The ‘Simple Simon’ of the story. Good ability to ‘connect’ with the audience. Appears throughout the story.

Queen Camellia – The Queen. Definitely ‘rules the roost’. Mother of Princess Rose.

King Basil – The hen-pecked King. Father of Princess Rose.

Snivel – Deadly Nightshade’s snivelling henchman.

Cannibal Chief – One scene only, but an important comedy character.

Hark, the Herald – Just a couple of lines.

Goldilocks – As in the fairy tale. One scene only. Just a few lines.

Hansel – As in the fairy tale. One scene only. Just a few lines (with accent, if possible).

Gretel – As in the fairy tale. One scene only. Just a few lines (with accent, if possible).

Little Red Riding Hood – As in the fairy tale. One scene only. Just a few lines.

Big Blue Balaclava – Red Riding Hood’s sister. One scene only. Just a few lines.