Kind, gentle, naive, and easily moved to pity. She comforts Rebecca, welcomes her into her wealthy home, and provides information about her brother Joseph.
Witty, cynical, resentful of her poverty, a talented mimic, fluent in French, and highly manipulative. She celebrates her departure from school, reveals her backstory, and begins plotting to marry Joseph Sedley to secure her social standing.
Pompous, authoritative, and easily outmaneuvered by Rebecca's defiance. She is described in flashbacks as having been defeated by Rebecca's refusal to teach music and her use of French to mock her.
Faithful and observant. He assists Amelia out of the carriage upon their arrival at Russell Square.
A wealthy, emotional, and generous parlour-boarder from St. Kitt's. She is devastated by Amelia's departure, falling into a fit of hysterical tears that requires medical attention.
A wealthy lady of the house. Mentioned as the person Amelia must ask for permission to give away a shawl.
An envious pupil. Mentioned as someone who, despite her envy, never spoke ill of Amelia.
Wealthy, shy, unmarried, and fond of his pipe. He is discussed by Amelia and Rebecca; his wealth and bachelor status make him Rebecca's new target.
Appears clumsy but dances in an amusing and natural manner. Mentioned by the Manager as a puppet in the show.
Reflective, melancholy, and observant; he serves as the narrator/presenter of the story. He sits before the curtain, observes the fair, and introduces the puppets and the moral tone of the performance to the audience.
A weary performer and family man who works as a tumbler. He is seen washing off his face paint and eating dinner with his family behind the scenes.
A child performer belonging to a family of tumblers. He sits behind the canvas with Tom Fool during dinner.
Described as uncommonly flexible in the joints and lively on the wire. Mentioned by the Manager as one of the lead puppets in the upcoming show.
Carved and dressed with great care, though she has a smaller circle of admirers than Becky. Mentioned by the Manager as a carefully crafted figure in the performance.
A richly dressed figure representing high-status villainy. Mentioned as a character who will be taken away by Old Nick at the end of the play.
A figure representing the devil or a collector of souls. Mentioned as the one who will fetch away the Wicked Nobleman.
Good-humored, foolishly kind, and generous. She is mentioned as the target of Rebecca's mockery despite her previous kindness.
A young orphan student who is deeply attached to Amelia. She follows Amelia around and promises to call her 'Mamma' in her letters.
A high-born but somewhat shabby and haughty student. She asks Amelia to send letters to her via her grandfather to save on postage.
A famous historical figure whose past visit to the school is the source of Miss Pinkerton's prestige. Mentioned as the author of the dictionary and the school's patron spirit.
A clever, dissolute artist, prone to drunkenness and debt. Described in backstory as the man who taught Rebecca her wit and social survival skills before dying of delirium tremens.
A French opera dancer of humble origins. Mentioned as the source of Rebecca's French fluency and the subject of Rebecca's lies about noble Gascon ancestry.
Infatuated and easily led. Mentioned in a backstory regarding a scandalous intercepted note he sent to Rebecca.
The large, gloomy, and respectable residence of Mr. Osborne, filled with expensive plate and mournful echoes.