I found myself making a little chart of the characters when I finished Act I to try and keep everyone straight. It looks something like this:
Lovers:
Capt. Absolute in disguise as Ensign Beverley/Lydia Languish
Faulkland/Julia
Lydia's would-be suitors:
Acres
Sir Lucius
Parents/Guardians:
Sir Anthony Absolute: parent to Capt. Absolute, guardian to Julia
Mrs Malaprop: aunt to Lydia
Servants:
Fag: Capt. Absolute
Thomas: Sir Anthony Absolute
Lucy: Lydia/Mrs Malaprop
Not in Act I:
All suitors/rivals:
Capt. Absolute (though seen giving money to Lucy)
Faulkland
Acres
And David - know nothing of him
What are your first impressions of our cast? Any of them standouts for you? Any surprises? Who are you looking forward to getting to know better?