The Narrator
- Acts a little like the Greek ‘Chorus’ from ancient tragedy, explaining key action on stage. - Involves the audience by asking them directly to judge what they see and remain detached form the story - Reveals that the brothers die at the very start of the play and from then on constantly reminds the audience of the twins’ fate. - Presents the themes of fate, destiny and superstition throughout the play, but at the end he asks the audience to consider if it was social forces rather than 'fate' that caused the tragedy.
Sammy
- A wealthy businessman who spends long periods of time away from his family. - Becomes the managing director of the factory where Mickey worked - Distant figure to his wife and son - Provides money and homes in wealthy areas - Indifferent to the people whose lives he can directly affect - his workforce. - He sends Mickey a heartless redundancy letter.
Edward
- A lonely housewife with a cold character who finds it difficult to be affectionate towards others. - She is wealthy, but dependent upon her husband’s income - She is self-centred and uses others for her own gain. - She is an over-protective mother - She is overcome by anxieties and suspicions in later scenes
Mickey
- Naturally kind and compassionate - Feisty and humorous, joining Edward and Mickey in their games - Strong-willed and very supportive of Mickey - From a poor family - Perhaps untrustworthy; but perhaps trapped by circumstances
- 25 years old at the start of the play. - Has eight children. - Makes rash decisions on impulse rather than thinking carefully. - Strong and generous character, with a strong idea of right and wrong - Naturally a kind and loving mother but finds it hard to discipline her children and keep them under control. - She is uneducated and does not value intellectual or academic pursuits. This is probably why she is superstitious - She is lively and has a zest for life. - She is poor and trapped by poverty.
Mrs Lyons
Linda
- Friendly, excitable boy, likes to play adventure games with others and sneak off to pull pranks. - Looks up to his older brother and tries to impress him - Very shy about his emotions - Energetic, bright and witty, but not very well educated. He does not show interest in his schooling - Likes Edward’s generosity and enjoys being able to show him new things.
- Aggressive and threatening - Anti-social and a criminal - He has no outlet for his hostile tendencies, has no job or money.
Mrs Johnstone
- Friendly, generous and perhaps naive - Raised in a middle-class home and is educated at a private school. He feels restricted - Impulsive - doesn’t think too deeply about the consequences of his actions. - He seems to lack compassion and does not sympathise with Mickey’s plight
Mr Lyons
