The Whistling

ELSPETH SWANSOME – Elspeth carries the grief of her recently deceased sister with her. She is at a new beginning in her life but a fish out of water. She has within her an inner strength, but it is only through her developing love for Mary that she can access it.
MARY – Mary is silenced by the threat of violence. This fear is a constant shadow over her. She is weighted by grief. Despite her silence, Mary is clever.
MISS VIOLET GILLIES – Miss Gillies embodies Iskar House – longstanding, stoic in the face of adversity but, beneath the façade, lives something fragile. The scars on her face are a permanent reminder of a troubled past.
GREER – Greer embodies the world-weariness of the island. She works hard for little reward. Life has made her tough, but her love for Mary is genuine, even if she has strange ways of displaying it.
BRIDGET ARGYLE – Bridget takes pride in her role as the minister’s wife and enjoys the access it gives her to the islanders and their secrets. Beneath her welcoming and cheery exterior, she is cunning, a plotter.
ROBERT ARGYLE – Robert takes pride in his position as minister on the island. Although compassionate, he is staunchly ideological, and as a community leader, shapes the island around his worldview.
REID PATERSON – Paterson is the island’s shop owner. He is frustrated by the lack of opportunity on the island for female company. His approach to young women is uncultured and slightly intimidating. Despite his flaws, Paterson appreciates the beauty of the island.
AILSA – Ailsa is on the outside, thought of as a witch-like woman. She takes no part in the church, having put her beliefs in nature. She is as weather-beaten as the island itself. Beneath her slight eccentricity is a caring and loyal soul.
HETTIE – The spirit of Hettie appears through song and movement. She is a young woman, broken by the island.
DOCTOR
SHADOWS OF ISKAR HOUSE
SPIRITS
ISLANDERS

Shadows of Iskar House are non-literal, non-speaking shadows of the house. They move gracefully and balletically and are unseen by the characters. They are at one with their environment; they are at one with the music and dialogue. The shadows, spirits and all other roles should be played by members of the company.

Shadows of Iskar House are non-literal, non-speaking shadows of the house. They move gracefully and balletically and are unseen by the characters. They are at one with their environment; they are at one with the music and dialogue. The shadows, spirits and all other roles should be played by members of the company.