Character: Alan Downie

Character: Alan Downie

Alan Downie

General Character Overview

• Alan Downie is a junior designer who works upstairs in the design loft of the carpet factory.
• His character symbolises the social mobility that Phil and Spanky strive for.

Appearance and Demeanour

• Alan is portrayed as someone who is sophisticated and educated, traits highlighted by his tidy appearance and career progression.
• Unlike the Slab Boys, he has attended art school, the place Phil aspires to go.
• He is depicted as naive and by some as slightly pretentious due to his posh accent and unfamiliarity with the constraints faced by his fellow workers.

Interaction with other Characters

• Alan’s relationship with the Slab Boys is strained and awkward, representing the social divide and animosity between them.
• Alan is often the subject of Phil’s and Spanky’s jokes due to him being viewed as an outsider.
• Although well-intentioned, Alan’s naive attempts to relate to the other boys often backfire and result in more derision.

Role in Plot Development

• Despite being an apprentice himself, Alan has higher social status compared to Phil and Spanky as he is not viewed as a ‘factory worker’.
• His success acts as a reminder of Phil’s aspiration and fuels his desire for a better life.
• Alan’s promotion to the loft speaks to the themes of ambition and social mobility pervasive in the play.