Mudlark and Basket maker. 23 years old.  Lives with her grandmother, indeed she was raised by her.  Has a difficult relationship with her.  Often left on her own as a child.  Describes herself as a “wildchild”.  Was dumped into a vat of water by a boy who was meant to be looking after her, and has created in her a fear of water on her face.  When she washes, she prefers it to be dark.

Created by Kavita Cupas. Performed by Kandace Caine. 

Part of The Dickens Project

Harriot Spoteto

Servant girl in Mrs Toodles boarding house.  Works long hours for no pay, just board and lodging.  However, she earns a few coins by secretly laundering hankies for Polly Mowcher without Mrs Toodle’s knowledge.

Created and performed by Michelle Baker. 

Part of The Dickens Project

Hattie Squod

Hairdresser and wigmaker for Ede & Ravenscroft Ltd.  Henrietta’s kind and romantic heart has led her into the unkind hands of uncaring men, leaving her abandoned by her reputation and family.

created and performed by Judy Pompermaier.  

Part of the Dickens Project.

Henrietta Tackleton

Scrounger of fabrics from the street.  Takes refuge in alcohol and The Monument Pub now her lover has been imprisoned for debt in the Marshalsea.  She dreams of creating an enlightened collection of corsages, corsets and hats.

Created by Fiona Pompermaier.
Performed by Fiona Pompermaier and Brenda Watkin.  

Part of The Dickens Project.

Himony Wackles

Age 15 years old.  Mother has died and her older sister Nancy gone off in search of wealth and marriage.  Works in a clothes Factory run by Mr Den, and dreams of owning her own shop.

Created and performed by Kandace Caine. 

Mary Meagles

Age 54 years old and no teeth. Once a starlet of the Astley’s amphitheatre, now a street entertainer earning a meagre crust running a Punch and Judy Show.  Had a brief tryst with Edward Forsythe at Brighton Pavillion, only to be sadly disappointed when she learned of his marital status.

Created and performed by Judith Arkwright.

Part of The Dickens Project

Ninetta Lenville

Street purveyor of dubious haberdashery.  Boarder at Mrs Toodles Boarding House.  Has a side line of recruiting young women into the prostitution business.  Currently has her eye on Hattie Squod.

Created and performed by Maureen Tyson. 

Part of The Dickens Project.

Polly Mowcher

Age 54. Night Soil Man.  Less healthy than he was, a good income is being squeezed and his relationship with poorer clients are becoming bitter and abrasive due to high prices and the increasing number of alternative solutions to the problem of Night Soil. He is finding it increasingly hard to make the journeys in and out collecting and disposing of night soil.

Created and performed by Ian MacNaughton. 

This is part of The Dickens Project

Solomon Biddy

Age 56. Warder at Marshalsea Prison for debtors and has been there since he was discharged from the local infantry regiment that he was press-ganged into as a 15 year old. Married and six out of eight of children are surviving - four girls and two boys in 10 years. Paid by the inmates, enough to get bread on the table for the family, but he wheedles extra food or cash out of some of the inmates in return for running errands.  His only joy in life is his a night-cap noggin down at the ale-house.  

Created and performed by Ken Woolhouse.  

This is part of The Dickens Project.

The Prison Warder

A native of Antwerpen, she came to London with her husband, who abandoned her in favour of the Borough’s ale houses and brothels.  She found a few days comfort in the arms of a young and handsome stranger who she met whilst searching for her husband.  Unfortunately, she became pregnant and abandoned by him in quick succession, and now seeks refuge in the cold hospitality of the workhouse and icy glare of the Matron.

Created by Marieke De Veer, performed by Marieke De Veer and Brenda Watkin. 

Part of The Dickens project

London Bubble Theatre