Angel Street (Gaslight)

Mrs. Bella Manningham (35 - 50): The victim. The central character in this drama was once a radiant beauty, has a haggard, wan, frightened air, with rings under her eyes, which tell of sleepless nights and worse. Sensitive, intelligent, and emotionally unraveling under pressure. Requires a massive emotional range: moving from panic and self-doubt to a final, fierce reclamation of her sanity.**Actress must be comfortable with choreographed violence and stage kissing, as these are required for the script's climax.** (Ingrid Bergman won her first Oscar for this role. The 1948 Broadway revival starred Uta Hagen.)

Mr. Jack Manningham (35 - 50): Handsome, charismatic, and dangerous. Bella’s husband is suave, intelligent, ruthless: a charming gentleman on the surface, sinister underneath. He must shift instantly from warmth and seduction to chilling cruelty without becoming a caricature. **Actor must be comfortable with choreographed violence and stage kissing, as these are required for the script's climax. (In the 1942 Broadway production this character was played by a young Vincent Price.)

Inspector Rough (55 - 75): The engine of the play. Supremely confident, cheerful manner. A somewhat quirky gentleman police-detective who lets nothing get in his way. He is wiry, active, brusque, friendly, overbearing. He has discovered some secrets and decides to pay the Manninghams a visit. Needs a "paternal" energy and the ability to handle long passages of narration with suspense and wit.

Elizabeth (55 - 85): Salt of the earth, reliable. Loyal to Mrs. Manningham, mistress of the house. The older of the Manningham’s maids is an amiable woman, subservient but very loyal, mature housekeeper who quietly watches everything unfold. She is stout, amiable, and subservient, but holds deep moral courage. Needs to convey worry and loyalty through silence and small gestures; she is Bella's only true ally inside the home. Cockney accent.

Nancy (18 - 25): The Manningham’s other servant is a self-conscious, young, bold, pretty and flirtatious "cheeky" maid with ambition and big attitude. Character age is 19. She is a taunting flirt who openly flirts with Jack. Requires strong sensuality; she is Jack’s tool to further isolate Bella. A young 18-year-old Angela Lansbury made her movie debut and garnered an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of this character.

TWO UNIFORMED POLICEMEN: Two big guys who look good in Bobby outfits. Roles with no lines, they wrestle and restrain the physically imposing Mr. Manningham in the final scene.