Character Relationship Map: Voices

Characters

• Philip Heseltine / Peter Warlock (played by Jeremy Northam) — protagonist

  The protagonist, a vicious music critic known as 'The Grim Reaper' who publicly attacks composer Peter Warlock for plagiarism while secretly being Warlock himself. He struggles with mental illness, se...

• Lily Buxton (played by Tushka Bergen) — protagonist

  An American singer who dates Philip Heseltine. She becomes suspicious of his double life after hearing piano music at his mother's house and discovering a Warlock manuscript. She confronts his associa...

• Gerald Duffy (played by Hilton McRae) — supporting

  Philip's friend who lives on a houseboat. He possesses a manuscript by Peter Warlock and advises Lily to keep Philip's secret for his sake, noting that his music is improving despite his illness.

• Mrs. Heseltine (played by Dilys Laye) — supporting

  Philip's mother living in the countryside. She denies playing the piano or allowing Philip to play, and later refuses Lily's request for help regarding Philip's mental health, wrongly suspecting Lily'...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Philip Heseltine / Peter Warlock → Mrs. Heseltine (Family Mother And Son) — Philip's family connection exposes the history surrounding his piano playing.

  Philip and Lily visit Mrs. Heseltine in the country, and she is identified as Philip's mother.

• Philip Heseltine / Peter Warlock → Lily Buxton (Romantic Lovers) — Their romance becomes the emotional center of Lily's discovery of Philip's hidden identity.

  Philip is drawn to Lily at a nightclub, and the plot states that a relationship ensues between them.

Story Dynamics

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

• Gerald Duffy → Lily Buxton (Alliance Reluctant Informants) — Gerald offers guidance but protects Philip's secret rather than directly helping Lily.

  After Lily confronts Gerald with her discovery, he tells her to let things remain as they are because Philip's music is improving despite his illness.

• Philip Heseltine / Peter Warlock → Gerald Duffy (Social Friends) — Gerald is one of the few people connected to Philip's concealed musical life.

  Lily seeks out Philip's friend Gerald at his houseboat while investigating the identity of Peter Warlock.

• Mrs. Heseltine → Lily Buxton (Conflict Distrustful Acquaintances) — Mrs. Heseltine's paranoia prevents Lily from obtaining family support for Philip.

  Mrs. Heseltine refuses to help Lily seek treatment for Philip and suspects that Lily wants Philip all to herself.

Story Analysis

A music critic's divided identity collapses when his secret life as the composer he condemns is exposed.

Plot Progression

1. The Grim Reaper's Double Life — Philip Heseltine establishes himself as a vicious music critic while secretly embodying the composer he attacks. His encounter with Lily introduces an intimate counterforce to his public identity.
2. Music Behind Closed Doors — Philip and Lily visit Mrs. Heseltine in the country, where Lily hears inexplicable piano music. His mother's denial deepens Lily's suspicion about Philip's past and behavior.
3. The Composer Unmasked — A gas-filled flat and a Warlock manuscript push Lily into an investigation. At the manuscript's address, she discovers that the pianist and Peter Warlock are Philip.
4. Secrets Without Rescue — Gerald urges Lily to leave Philip's secret undisturbed, while Mrs. Heseltine refuses to help and mistrusts Lily. Philip's demand for answers shows that the secret is collapsing.
5. The Last Review — A libel suit and an imposed demand for restraint culminate in Philip's breakdown at the concert. After he injures Lily, he turns on the gas and dies while typing a positive review of Warlock.