ANNIE
25 to 38, a budding "old maid" who has martyred herself to care for the family's "ailing" mother (who is never seen, but whose offstage presence is often felt). Annie wants more out of life, even if that "more" is her brother-in-law for a weekend.
SARAH
28 to 40, married to Annie's older brother Reg, Sarah is so tightly wound that you just know she is about to pop. A control freak who needs to prove that she is the perfect wife and mother, she is also insecure, and very vulnerable.
REG
32 to 45, eldest child and only son in a female-controlled family, and married to controlling Sarah, Reg deals with his life by being a "jolly good fellow" and trying to stay out of Sarah's way. His passion (which actually is described in another play, Living Together) is creating complex war-based board games, where, it seems, he lives in his imagination. Reg's goal is to avoid conflict and just have some nice meals.
TOM
28 to 40, the neighboring veterinarian who has a comfortable, though completely non-physical (not to mention, non-passionate) relationship with Annie. Tom is, well, vague; doesn't really understand what's going on around him, and is, in general, more comfortable with the animals he treats than the family it is assumed he will marry into ... eventually.
RUTH
30 to 40, middle child in the family, Ruth is a very successful business woman who is also vain enough to refuse to wear glasses because they are unattractive on her. She is married to Norman, but he is clearly a low priority in her life. Not to mention an annoyance who interrupts important business meetings to tell her that he loves her. She is also a bit of a snob who feels herself above both the family and her husband.
NORMAN
30 to 45, a lovable loser - an assistant librarian who can't get ahead - who is desperate to love and be loved, and who really loves women (all women). It is his misfortune not to have been born handsome or rich, because he believes he should have been. Norman is alternately endearing and annoying to all the women in the play as well as to the men.
