Casting

Annie's older brother. Takes his role as the man of the family seriously, even though he is a kid. Has bad luck avoiding trouble in his attempt to protect his sister. Kind, prideful, honest.

A poor, young pickpocket. He is mean and jealous of any success others might have and has a particular vendetta against Joe. Tries to set him up and then lies to get him arrested.

A genial man. Trustworthy, transparent, and honest. He is the connector between the rich and the poor, and between the living and the dead.

Although one of the poor, he acts as the Narrator moving the plot along through his songs. Frequently claims to have no voice just before he sings.

One of the poor who tries to make an honest living. Calm and genuine, with an underlying desire for change. He leads a movement to combat the squalid lifestyle.

One of the poor. He becomes part of the shoe shining brigade. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but unafraid to ask questions and explore. Honest and outspoken.

Joe's little sister, she happily takes care of him and feels lost without him. Longs to escape her imprisoned life and head to America or Australia.

Bill's mother and Charlie's wife. Though she isn't actually Joe and Annie's mother, she acts motherly and treats them as her own. Kind and inherently wisdom. She cares for Annie and protects her from the others.

The Earl of Shaftesbury, he is Francis and Anthony's father. Not afraid to ruffle feathers in the aristocracy. A brave and upstanding citizen. Somewhat regal and heroic.

A snobbish member of the aristocracy who is resistant to change and believes the poor have rightfully earned their place. Greedy, pompous, ignorant.

The Earl of Shaftesbury's wife. She is stately and supportive of her husband. A motherly woman devastated when her youngest son dies.

A cobbler by trade, he opens up a school to help educate the children of the lower class. Gentle, authoritative, sincere. Cares for his students.

Introduces the boys of the Ragged School to shoe-shining. Cares for and is proud of the students. An eloquent man and speaker.

The innkeeper. All about the bottom-line, which is getting lodgers and taking their money. No leniency about paying rent, but she does reveal a softer side.

The Rich; The Poor; Prostitutes; Drunks; Policemen; Sailors; Emigrants; Maidservants

A friend of Lord Ganlian's. He is a member of the old guard of the aristocracy. Speaks in sound bites and believes things should remain as they are, because they are that way for a reason.