THE CHARACTERS IN THE SYRINGA TREE:

All characters are portrayed by one actress. Changes in character are indicated by changes in voice and body. Some of the characters are old, some young, some black, some white, some male, some female. The transitions are very quick – one character will speak and the other might answer.

The Grace Family

Elizabeth Grace: 6 to adulthood, white, English South African

Eugenie Grace: early 30’s, white, Elizabeth’s mother

Dr. Isaac Grace: late 30’s to 70, white, Elizabeth’s father

John Grace: infant to adult, Elizabeth’s brother

Grandpa George: 82, Eugenie’s father, Elizabeth and John’s grandfather

Granny Elizabeth: early 70’s, Eugenie’s mother, Elizabeth and John’s grandmother

The Grace Family’s Servants

Salamina Mashlope: 39 to 60’s, Xhosa, Grace family maid, nanny to Elizabeth

Moliseng Elessebett Mashlope: infant to 14, Salamina’s child

Iris Kgobane: 19, Sotho, nanny to Elizabeth’s baby brother, John

Isaac: Grace family gardener

Peter Mombadi: 40’s, Grace family driver

Pietros: Sotho, Grace family help

Next Door to the Grace Family

Loeska Hattingh: 8, Afrikaans, Elizabeth’s friend next door

Dominee Hattingh: 52, Dutch Reformed Minister (Dominee isAfrikaans for minister), father to Loeska

Zephyr: late 60’s, Zulu, Hattingh family gardener

Other Characters

Dubike: Salamina’s very old cousin

Matron Lanning: Baragwanath hospital matron

Young Doctor: works at Baragwanath hospital

Sargeant Potgieter: a police officer

Father Montford: a Catholic priest

Mabalel: a tiny black girl

Mabalel: Dr. Grace’s skeleton

Andrew: Elizabeth’s American husband

Mrs. Biggs: 70’s, Salamina’s employer after the Graces