MANSFIELD PARK CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

WOMEN’S ROLES

Fanny Price: (able to play Young Adult) Full of spirit. Her circumstances force her to “be good," but she has strong opinions and a big imagination. She may come off as shy, but she’s smart and wants to learn everything. She has a strong moral compass which keeps her out of trouble and makes her trustworthy to others. Hopelessly in love with .

Mary Crawford: (able to play Young Adult) Mary is witty and capable of being hollow and flippant, but not fundamentally bad natured. She is ambitious and clear eyed about the truths of the world and society. She guards her heart, but is a bit of a flirt who intends to marry well. (Sister to , no blood connection to ).

Maria Bertram: (able to play Young Adult) Maria is an elegant, mannered, accomplished and fashionable young woman who knows she has to marry Mr. Rushford- but later falls hard for Henry. (Sister to Tom and Edmund, Fanny’s cousin)

Mrs. Norris/Mrs. Price: (DOUBLES- able to play 40-65) MRS. NORRIS is bossy and condescending with those who have no power; she feels as if she's in charge of the world. She sucks up to anyone of higher status than herself. A somewhat vicious, indomitable battleship of a woman. MRS. PRICE is a working class woman from Portsmouth. She’s fundamentally forward-looking, but a lifetime of disappointments have worn her down. She’s developed a certain brusque, vaguely-cheerful emotional-remove to deal with it all. (Mrs. Norris and Mrs. Price are sisters with Lady Bertram. Fanny Price is niece to Mr. & Mrs. Norris and to Sir Thomas & Lady Bertram.)

MEN’S ROLES

Edmund Bertram: (able to play Young Adult) Kind and considerate, he loves learning and trains to be a clergyman. He’s perhaps too serious and naïve for his own good. He’s capable of living in denial, completely unaware of Fanny's intense feelings towards him. He wants to live a good, meaningful life. (’s younger brother; Fanny’s cousin)

Henry Crawford: (able to play Young Adult) Henry is charming, seductive and clever with a wicked streak, although he's not fundamentally a bad guy. Loves a challenge; can't stand being disliked. He has a considerable fortune, but doesn’t like to be tied down for long. Henry and Mary are visiting their half sister, Mrs. Grant, near the Bertram’s. (Brother to Mary Crawford, no blood connection to Fanny Price)

Sir Thomas Bertram/Mr. Price: (DOUBLES- able to play age 40-65) SIR THOMAS is the lord of . He is matter-of-fact, cold, entitled and extremely well-bred. He has great expectations of his family, and firm ideas of what is (and isn't) proper behavior. Not empathetic. (Fanny’s Uncle by marriage) MR. PRICE is a working class disabled Navy lieutenant from Portsmouth. He’s coarse and insensitive; often crude. An alcoholic, he is not concerned with the feelings of others. He has a hair trigger with his wife, whom he regards as interfering and irritating. (Fanny’s father)

Tom Bertram/William Price: (DOUBLES - able to play Young Adult) TOM BERTRAM is exuberant, jovial, extremely irresponsible, but not a bad guy. Actor must be capable of great emotional depth. (Older brother to Edmund and , Fanny’s cousin) WILLIAM PRICE: member of Royal Navy, Fanny’s favorite sibling who keeps up correspondence with her at Mansfield Park. Good principles, professional knowledge, filled with energy, courage and cheerfulness. Respectful and pleasant. (Fanny’s older brother)

Mr. Rushworth: (able to play Young Adult) is a very wealthy, overstuffed man. Not the brightest man in the world, he speaks too loudly, can be clumsy, overbearing and is not good at reading emotional cues. A bit like a big, dumb, messy dog. He hates being left out. He’s in love with Maria Bertram, and marries her.

YOUTH ACTORS (These are all small roles.)

GIRLS

Young Fanny Price: (able to play 10-15)

Young Maria Bertram: (able to play 10-15) Fanny’s cousin

Susan Price: (able to play age 14) Curious, kind, but rather neglected; worships Fanny (Fanny’s younger sister)

Betsey Price: (able to play age 7) Spoiled, mother’s little darling (Fanny’s little sister- born after she moved to Mansfield Park)

BOYS Young Tom Bertram: (able to play 14-16) Fanny’s cousin

Young Edmund Bertrum: (able to play 11-14) Fanny’s cousin

Charles Price: (able to play age 8) Quite untamable, plays with his brother, Tom Price. (Fanny’s little brother- born after she moved to Mansfield Park.)

Tom Price: (able to play age 9) Rowdy, plays with his brother, Charles Price. (Fanny’s little brother who she helped raise as an infant.)