# Joe Brundit — The Good Companions character guide > Joe Brundit in The Good Companions by J. B. Priestley. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mrs. Joe Brundit, Joe, Mrs. Joe, Brundit **First appearance:** 0033-i-in-which-they-all-become-good-companions ## Snapshot A massive, good-humored comedian with arms like two and a voice to match, he is the troupe's principal comic and Jess Oakroyd's most reliable drinking companion. ## Who they are Joe grumbles about lodgings and longs for a home of his own, yet he is the solid, sensible chap everyone gravitates toward for a pipe and a glass of bitter. He talks about his George, listens to Jess on Lily, and works the little Pavilion set without fuss. His easy comradeship gives the wandering company a workingman's ballast beneath the greasepaint. ## Relationships ### [Elizabeth Trant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/elizabeth_trant) _friendship_ Elizabeth and Joe share a loyal, platonic friendship built on mutual respect and their shared commitment to the traveling theatre company. ### [Jess Oakroyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/jess_oakroyd) _friendship_ Jess and Joe are close friends and fellow performers, often sharing camaraderie and lighthearted banter on the road. ### [Susie Dean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/susie_dean) _friendship_ Joe and Susie share a playful, teasing friendship, with Joe often acting as a protective older brother figure. ### [Inigo Jollifant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/inigo_jollifant) _friendship_ Inigo and Joe develop a solid friendship, with Joe's practical nature balancing Inigo's artistic temperament. ### [Jimmy Nunn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/jimmy_nunn) _professional_ Jimmy and Joe work together as members of the theatre company, with Jimmy often relying on Joe's stage experience. ### [Elizabeth Trant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/elizabeth_trant) _friendship_ Elizabeth and Joe share a loyal, platonic friendship built on mutual respect and their shared commitment to the traveling theatre company. ### [Susie Dean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/susie_dean) _friendship_ Joe and Susie share a playful, teasing friendship, with Joe often acting as a protective older brother figure. ### [Susie Dean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/susie_dean) _friendship_ Joe and Susie share a playful, teasing friendship, with Joe often acting as a protective older brother figure. ### [Jess Oakroyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/jess_oakroyd) _friendship_ Jess and Joe are close friends and fellow performers, often sharing camaraderie and lighthearted banter on the road. ### [Jess Oakroyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/jess_oakroyd) _friendship_ Jess and Joe are close friends and fellow performers, often sharing camaraderie and lighthearted banter on the road. ### [Elizabeth Trant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/elizabeth_trant) _friendship_ Elizabeth and Joe share a loyal, platonic friendship built on mutual respect and their shared commitment to the traveling theatre company. ### [Jimmy Nunn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/jimmy_nunn) _professional_ Jimmy and Joe work together as members of the theatre company, with Jimmy often relying on Joe's stage experience. ## In the story ### [The Dinner at The Royal Standard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/ii) Prefers beer, demands many pieces of bread, proposes the name 'The Mugs' for the show. ### [II: Very Short, and Devoted to Rehearsals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/ii-very-short-and-devoted-to-rehearsals) A wooden vocalist with a powerful but off-key voice, comically unsuited to love songs; rehearses with Inigo. ### [In Which Colonel Trant's Daughter Goes Into Action, Sticks to Her Guns, and May Be Considered Victorious](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iii-in-which-colonel-trant-s-daughter-goes-into-action-sticks-to-her-guns-and-may-be-considered-victorious) Objects to evening dress due to collar discomfort; his complaints are ignored. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as a performer in the Dinky Doos, grumbling about dress collars. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/i) Mr. Oakroyd talks with Joe about lodgings, cooking, and the differences between life at home and on the road. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/ii) Jess asks Joe about how to receive mail while on tour. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iv) Joe simply shakes her head at Oakroyd's condition. ### [Inigo Jumps Out of a Train and Finds Himself in Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/v-inigo-jumps-out-of-a-train-and-finds-himself-in-love) Plays solo whist and is involved in the discussion about luck and superstition. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/i) Plays solo whist and interacts with the group. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned in Susie's anecdote about a quarrel with Mrs. Joe over how to spend sweepstakes winnings. ### [The Black Week](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/vi-the-black-week) Mrs. Joe is ill but insists she can still perform, showing her determination. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/i) Joe is a baritone in the company. He argues with his wife about eating before the performance and is part of the Custon Hall show. ### [All Stolen from the Mail Bag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/vii-all-stolen-from-the-mail-bag) Mrs. Joe Brundit writes to her sister about the town, her landlords the Juggs, and the joy of having her son George with them for Christmas. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/ii) Mrs. Joe Brundit's husband, who is optimistic and has been offered work at the Labour Club. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/viii) Baritone; he and his wife are devastated by their son George's disappointing Christmas visit. ### [A Wind in the Triangle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/i-a-wind-in-the-triangle) Listens sympathetically to Susie's complaints, knits quietly, and admits she once felt similarly about her own talent. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/ii) Arrives in the bar during the altercation and is briefed on the situation by Jimmy. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iii) Mrs. Joe discusses the Bournemouth offer, encourages Susie to be patient, and reflects on her own past aspirations. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as 'Jock Campbell' – Jess's new friend, a veteran footballer with ambitions of owning a pub. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/i) Mrs. Joe's ballads are dismissed by Mamie Potter as 'equally ancient,' and she discusses the strange audience behavior with Susie. ### [Susie's Birthday and the Great Chance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iv) Also criticizes Inigo for being late, with his characteristic lack of tact. ### [A Benefit Performance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iv-a-benefit-performance) Explains to the Inspector what happened when the trouble began, confirming the troublemakers' actions. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/i) The singer who starts off the show; Mrs. Joe is excited and curious about the box. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/ii) Furious at the hecklers, restrained from confronting them, and comforts his wife after her distress. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iii) Still in stage costume, he explains what happened when the trouble began and is told by Susie that Mrs. Joe is waiting for him. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as having knocked out a revue man during the riot, causing further trouble. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iv) Mrs. Joe's husband; arrives with good news about a resident season, hugs Susie, and celebrates with beer. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as suggesting Jess might find work if he goes with the troupe to London. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/epilogue) Still in concert-party work with Mrs. Joe, planning a seaside hotel. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/joe_brundit - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters