The Abigail Project: 

Cast-size: 23,  cast from yrs 10-11, but with potential for a few younger members, and non-speaking dancers.

16 girls, 7 boys

Run-time roughly 1 hour 15, no interval.

The cast splits into:

Class-group: A typically hectic, mixed ability, varied-behaviour state school group.
Character                                      Lines        Playing age      Description
Matt

Dominic

Brains

Paul

Jimmy

Hendrix

Nintendo

Sasha

Penny

Kerry

Janie

Hayley

Lisa

Eloise

Mel
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15/16

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15/16
Main character. Awkward, uncool, lonely, obsessive.

Acerbic, intelligent, moody, secretly gay

Super-nerd

Straight/square, thoughtful, in love with Sasha

ADHD, random

A foil for Jimmy, rock-God persona

Near-silent (for much of the play), tech-wizard, no apparent social skills

Pretty, sensible, loved from afar by Paul

Easily confused, hypochondriac

A loner, brooding, unhappy

Caustic, worldly, manipulative, secretly intelligent, ring-leader of the ‘plastics’

‘Plastic’- good-time girl, obsessed with hair, nails and make-up.

As above

As above

As above
Their Teacher: An adult may be required to fill this role, however I used a mature yr 11, who could age up and was good with text.
Miss Gregg    
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Early 20s    
A young, conscientious teacher, only partly in control    
Bible Brethren: Modelled on a movement like the Plymouth Brethren. These girls comprise a youth group within the sect, spending much of their time at the Brethren meeting house. They are strictly observant, against modern technology, forbidden from watching tv, using computers etc, being alone with a boy, eating in the company of non-Brethren; females wear head-scarves, dress demurely.
Ruth (Abigail’s older sister)


Abigail

Libby (younger sister to Ruth and Abigail)

Sarah

Phoebe

Susannah

Rebeccah
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16/17


15/16

14/15


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14/15

13-16

13-16
Group leader, censorious, self-righteous, envious of her sister Abigail, scheming, unhappy.

Thoughtful, diffident, pretty but unaware of it.

Naïve, sweet-natured, impressionable.


Secretly mischievous

Overtly mischievous

God-fearing, serious

Shy
As well as this, an unseen mother (Matt’s) is required, either recorded in voice-over, or off-stage.