Tommy and Betty are two roles in rapper sword dance that represent the father and mother of the dancers.
Much is made of their role and clothing in the context of pagan fertility rituals; it is certainly probable that the characters and play are older than the sword dance itself, which would appear to have been appended to the older play tradition found all over England.
In the modern dance, the Tommy introduces the dancers, usually with a traditional calling-on song, and then provides a running commentary and/or jokes to entertain the audience.
The Newcastle Kingsmen's dance begins with the Tommy character singing the "Calling On Song".
The Betty seeks to have a high profile entrance such as appearing through a trap door, on a bicycle or carrying a vacuum cleaner.