THE CAST OF CHARACTERS

JACK is the first mate on a small coastal tramp steamer. He is in his 20s. He was a Royal Navy cadet and served as a lieutenant in the First World War in a destroyer. He recently transferred to the Reserve. He comes across as a likeable easy-going officer-type, with a good sense of humour.

CLAIRE is a nurse working at the local hospital. A few years younger than Jack, fairly recently she has moved from London to the coastal town because her father took up a job in the hospital. She is well-educated. She is bright, fun-loving and sparky.

GRACE* is also a nurse and good friends with Claire. Grace is a local girl and married to fisherman Sam. She can be of any age deemed suitable. She has a local accent

SAM* is a local man, both a fisherman and lifeboatman. He is married to Grace. He is well-read and plays the piano. He is something of a cheeky chappie. He has a local accent. In casting, ideally a similar age to Grace.

TUNA is a fisherman and lifeboatman. He has been the coxswain of the lifeboat for many years. He does not talk much, but likes to sing as he goes about his business.

THE CAPTAIN is the master of a 30+ years old small coastal steamer of 1500 tons or so. "Old salt" type.

THE HELSMAN* steers the ship.

CLAIRE'S FATHER* was an orthopaedic surgeon in London but moved to take up a job in the local hospital.

FISHERMEN, many of whom are also lifeboatmen, are basically the male chorus. 

FISHWIVES are basically the female chorus. (Fishwives was a general term, unrelated to marital status.)

SAILORS# should represent regular Royal Navy sailors of the period. If required, these roles can be undertaken by Sea Cadets, or the Navy Section of a school CCF.

CHILDREN, NURSES AND TOWNSPEOPLE: could be included in certain scenes.

* not a solo singing role   

# Sailors are a nicety, not a necessity, and can be imaginary. The Chorus sing the song "The Navy's Here!" - optional for sailors.