https://syjcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MURDER-ON-THE-ORIENT-EXPRESS-CHARACTER-DESCRIPTIONS.pdf Once Upon a Mattress: Character Descriptions
Princess Winnifred the Woebegone - Also known by her nickname, Fred, she’s the thirteenth princess tested by the Queen. She is slightly childlike and much less refined than the rest of the castle's residents. Prince Dauntless the Drab - The son of Queen
Aggravain and King Sextimus and next in line to the throne. He is also slightly childlike and easily falls in love with Winnifred just as he has with the many princesses that have come before. He is babied by his mother until he learns to stand up to her in the musical’s finale. Queen Aggravain - The villain of the musical, wife of King Sextimus, and mother of Prince Dauntless, who makes every princess suing for Dauntless’ hand take the extremely hard tests she creates. She is talkative, arrogant, full of herself, and is in constant disagreement with the King despite his not being able to talk. King Sextimus the Silent - The (cursed) husband of Queen Aggravain, father of Prince Dauntless, and very good friend of the Jester and Minstrel. He cannot speak and communicates via pantomime before he speaks at the end and allows for Dauntless and Winnifred to be married. The Minstrel - The narrator of the musical, who helps the King and the Jester many times, and are all very good friends. He is also very clever in his way of getting things, but is kind and smart with the way he does it. The Jester - A complicated character of sorts, who is meant to be funny but is instead more sad or annoying than humorous. The Jester is great friends with the King and the Minstrel, and translates for the King frequently. Lady Larken - A very kind and refined noblewoman who wishes to be married to Sir Harry and carries his child. She attempts to escape the kingdom after breaking up with Sir Harry for a night, but returns to him and they fall in love again. Sir Harry - The noble knight of the kingdom, who is in love with Lady Larken. His true reason for bringing a princess to the kingdom was so that he and Lady Larken could be married, as well as all the rest of the kingdom. The Wizard - Also known as Cardamon, he’s a very quiet person, who usually keeps to himself, although he is basically the Queen's minion, and puts her tests for the princesses in action. Ensemble - The men and women of the kingdom, who wish to be married to each other throughout the play.
