This play is dedicated to the memory of Julia De Vittoris (1965–2001) whose ‘lust for life’ was second to none.

‘Even giants get lost in Hollywood.’
Bert Kowalski

Characters

Bert Kowalski, mid-forties, born in New Jersey, grew up in poverty, he has spent most of his adult life performing in circuses and freak shows. As a result he has formed a harsh view of performing dwarf life, basically believing that it is undignified humiliation for money. His cynical, wise-guy behaviour is his defence against the harsh world.

Bert’s dwarfism probably comes from non-genetic causes: chronic kidney diseases, diseases where the body doesn’t absorb protein normally (cystic fibrosis etc.), malnutrition in early life or heart and lung disease.

Charles Merryweather, early twenties, born in Streatham, London, he comes from a middle-class family. His father was a doctor who was guilty of not recognising that his son suffered from Turner’s syndrome. As well as restricted growth, Turner’s syndrome sufferers are also characterised by diminished or absent sex glands and no puberty. Thus Charles has little concept of sex or sexuality. His voice is quite high and he will look like a young boy.

His early life was largely innocent and idyllic, spent playing, often alone, in the large family garden, which gave him a love of nature. He went on to find employment as a gardener at Kew Gardens, his life in the workforce a far harsher experience.

Raymond Benedict-Porter, late forties, born in Vermont, he comes from a well-to-do New England family. Although he has done the same ‘dwarf circuit’ as Bert, Raymond has always had serious thespian ambitions. He probably suffers from chondrodystrophy, a form of dwarfism believed to be hereditary.

Like many such affected persons, Raymond is physically very strong and dexterous. He has a high self-regard, seeing himself as an actor, whose height is almost an irrelevant factor. When he does acknowledge his condition, he is more likely to look to artistic dwarfs like nineteenth-century French painter Toulouse-Lautrec for inspiration, rather than to his peers.

Philomena Kinsella, mid-twenties, born in County Kerry, Ireland, she probably suffers from pituitary dwarfism, which is caused by the body producing insufficient growth hormones. In the present day, like many other forms of the condition, this has been all but wiped out. With pituitary dwarfism, the sufferer’s proportions are normal and they tend to have a doll-like appearance and are often possessed with above average intelligence.

Philomena comes from a remote and rural part of Ireland, where old myths regarding the ‘little people’ still held sway at the turn of the last century. Irish leprechauns are associated with trees and bushes and some peasant people who have had a dwarf child believe it is their duty to ‘give them to the little people’ i.e. leave them in the woods for other leprechauns to look after.