Character Relationship Map: Nothing Barred

Characters

• Wilfred Sapling (played by Brian Rix) — protagonist

  A plumber who has been repairing the plumbing at Wormwood Scrubs, Wilfred is mistakenly collected by Lord Whitebait and Spankworth as the prisoner they want to recruit for a staged art theft. Misunder...

• Barger (played by Leo Franklyn) — supporting

  A real burglar, Barger selects Egham as his next target by throwing a dart at a map and attempts to rob Whitebait Manor. He is caught and sent to prison, where Wilfred Sapling helps him and other conv...

• Lord Whitebait (played by Naunton Wayne) — supporting

  A penniless aristocrat, Lord Whitebait tries to rescue his dwindling fortune by opening Whitebait Manor to the public, but few visitors come. Mounting debts and the cost of his daughter's wedding push...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Lord Whitebait → Wilfred Sapling (Professional Prospective Employer) — Whitebait tries to recruit Sapling for a staged art theft, but their conversation is misunderstood.

  Lord Whitebait goes to Wormwood Scrubs prison to collect a released prisoner for the planned theft. He speaks to Wilfred Sapling about stealing a pain...

Story Dynamics

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

• Wilfred Sapling → Barger (Alliance Escape Accomplices) — Sapling unintentionally becomes involved in Barger's prison escape.

  Wilfred Sapling repairs the prison plumbing and helps Barger and other convicts escape through the sewers. Sapling then follows them and steals a poli...

• Lord Whitebait → Barger (Conflict Target And Burglar) — Whitebait's desperate scheme is threatened by Barger's real burglary attempt.

  Lord Whitebait plans to stage the theft of a valuable painting from Whitebait Manor. Barger independently selects Egham as his next burglary target an...

Story Analysis

A desperate manor scheme collides with an accidental criminal escape, carrying an innocent plumber into a chaotic pursuit.

Plot Progression

1. A Manor Without Visitors — Lord Whitebait tries to rescue his finances by opening Whitebait Manor to the public. The plan fails while debts and wedding expenses continue to rise.
2. The Staged Theft — Whitebait decides to stage the theft of a valuable painting and seeks a released prisoner to carry it out. He mistakenly collects Wilfred Sapling, whose plumbing work causes a comic misunderstanding.
3. Barger's Real Burglary — Barger chooses Egham by throwing a dart at a map and targets Whitebait Manor. His genuine burglary attempt ends with his capture and imprisonment.
4. Escape Through The Sewers — While repairing prison plumbing, Sapling becomes involved in Barger's escape with other convicts. The group uses the sewers and church choir disguises to get away.
5. The Failed Getaway — Sapling is pursued after following the escapees and joins Barger in stealing a police car. Their attempted getaway fails, and both are caught by the police.