Character Relationship Map: Smashing Time

Characters

• Brenda (played by Rita Tushingham) — protagonist

  A young woman from the North of England who arrives in London with Yvonne to seek fame and fortune. She confronts Tom after he mocks Yvonne in a newspaper, works at Charlotte's design shop, and repeat...

• Yvonne (played by Lynn Redgrave) — supporting

  Brenda's friend and fellow newcomer from the North of England, Yvonne pursues fame in London as a model and later a pop singer. Her hit song brings her celebrity, but her popularity fades while Brenda...

• Tom Wabe (played by Michael York) — supporting

  A photographer whom Yvonne hopes to impress on Carnaby Street, Tom takes her picture for a newspaper and pays her, though the paper mocks her fashion. Brenda later confronts him, and he tries to charm...

• Charlotte Brillig (played by Anna Quayle) — supporting

  A dilettante heiress who hires Brenda to manage her exclusive design shop, Too Much. When Brenda sells goods to wealthy visitors, Charlotte is displeased because the shop is left without items for ric...

• Bobby Mome-Rath (played by Ian Carmichael) — supporting

  An affluent man who summons Yvonne while she is working at a nightclub, gets her drunk, and takes her to an apartment he uses for one-night stands. Brenda follows them and sabotages his attempted trys...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Bobby Mome-Rath → Yvonne (Romantic Sexual Pursuer) — Bobby pursues Yvonne in a coercive and exploitative encounter.

  Bobby summons Yvonne at the nightclub, gets her drunk, and spirits her to an apartment kept for one-night stands.

• Charlotte Brillig → Brenda (Professional Employer) — Charlotte gives Brenda temporary responsibility for the shop.

  Charlotte hires Brenda to manage her exclusive design shop, Too Much, and leaves her in charge.

• Brenda → Tom Wabe (Romantic Partner) — Tom and Brenda develop a romantic relationship that changes the girls' balance.

  Tom asks Brenda out to lunch; later Brenda is described as Tom Wabe's new girlfriend and stays overnight on his canal barge.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Brenda → Bobby Mome-Rath (Conflict Adversary) — Brenda sabotages Bobby's plans to protect Yvonne.

  Brenda adds laxative to Bobby's drink and causes his bubble bath to get out of control while trying to stop his encounter with Yvonne.

• Yvonne → Tom Wabe (Conflict Subject Of Mockery) — Tom's work humiliates Yvonne and prompts Brenda to confront him.

  Tom takes Yvonne's photo for a newspaper, but the published image mocks her as being out of fashion.

• Brenda → Yvonne (Social Companion) — They are close companions whose fortunes initially develop together.

  Brenda and Yvonne arrive together from the North of England and share their attempts to find success in London.

Story Analysis

Two young women pursue London success, experience chaotic reversals and unequal fame, then abandon the city together.

Plot Progression

1. Northern Dreams Collapse — Brenda and Yvonne arrive in London expecting fame and fortune. Financial hardship and chaotic café work quickly undermine their optimistic image of the city.
2. Publicity And Peril — Yvonne's encounter with Tom produces newspaper publicity, but the published photograph mocks her. Their nightclub jobs then lead to Bobby's exploitative pursuit and a frantic escape.
3. Jobs That Cannot Last — Brenda manages Charlotte's design shop while Yvonne serves pies at a restaurant. Forced sales, a pie fight, and Charlotte's sudden departure leave both girls unemployed again.
4. Accidental Stardom — A television prank destroys the girls' home, but Yvonne receives a large reimbursement cheque. Her processed single becomes a hit, launching her into sudden fame.
5. Fame Divides Them — Brenda becomes Tom's girlfriend and a top model while Yvonne's popularity declines. Their separation culminates in a disastrous tower party before both decide to return home.