We’re finally presenting this play in May, having been disrupted by Covid. Since the original casting session two cast members have had to withdraw so I will be re-auditioning the parts of Jessica Steele and Lauren Bell.

JESSICA: acting age – 16 to 18, with a standard American accent. She is the estranged daughter of the fading Hollywood star who finds himself playing King Lear in an amateur drama production in Suffolk. He has neglected Jessica and now she wants him to pay for it. She ends up playing Cordelia in their production.

LAUREN: a thirty-something former physiotherapist and wife of the brewer who is sponsoring the production. Her husband treats her like a bimbo because of her looks, but she is smart and passionate about the arts.

Production run: 11-21 May 2022
Rehearsals: from early March
Auditions: Sunday 6 February, from 11 am to 1pm; Tuesday 8 February from 8pm. Both are in the Club Room at the theatre
My email:  antipholus@mac.com

CASTING: Tuesday 1 & Thursday 3 February; Club Room 8pm

REHEARSALS: Monday, Wednesday & Thursdays from Weds 23 February 7.30pm 

PERFORMANCE: Studio, Wednesday 20 to Saturday 30 April 2022

Three women, united by blood, divided by generation and attitude.

This debut sitcom play by the award winning comedienne Katy Brand is full of sparking wit and razor-sharp comedy. It’s beautifully set in a luxurious hotel suite on the eve of 40-year-old Suzanne’s wedding to her dull but dependable husband to be. The ensuing night of tensions and revelations in this pertinent exploration of what it means to be a woman in the 21 century makes for a rewarding experience for each of the four actors/actresses and a satisfying piece of theatre for our audience.

The roles are as follows; as always, the ages given are playing ages.

Rufus:  20’s, a striking androgynous room service waiter. He is a crucial character and, arguably, the ultimate victor!

Suzanne: 40’s, a bit ‘new age’ and scruffy. Laurie’s mother, Eleanor’s daughter.

Eleanor: Mid 60’s, elegant and well put together. Suzanne’s mother, Laurie’s grandmother.

Laurie: Late teens, also androgynous and very sassy. Suzanne’s daughter, Eleanor’s granddaughter.

Crew required: Lighting Designer/Operator; Sound Operator; Props IC; ASMs

If you require further details, or can’t make the castings, email me at philip.reardon@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to accommodate you.

Thank you for your interest, I am looking forward to hearing from you very soon.

Philip Reardon

Auditions: Thursday 17 February at 7.30 (for adults only) and Sunday 20 February, 2022 at 2.00 (for all ages) in the Club Room at the theatre

Performances: Wednesday 8 to Saturday 18 June on the Main Stage

Director Tony Bradburn writes:

This wonderful story started life as a hugely popular children’s book by Michelle Magorian and has gone on to become a successful feature film, starring John Thaw, and now a magical stage adaption by David Wood.

It is set in September 1939, at a time when war clouds were gathering over Europe and children were being evacuated from the inner cities to the countryside, for their own safety. On the face of it, this is a simple tale of William Beech, a lonely and deprived young boy from London, who is evacuated to a small English village and billeted with Tom Oakley (Mister Tom),  a reclusive old widower. Although their life together is difficult to begin with, they develop a heart-warming relationship and Willie starts to build friendships for the first time with other children and the residents of the village. His future is looking good, until everything starts to go wrong and he is forced to return to London.

There is much more depth to this story than at first appears, with shades of light and dark as it develops the human themes of friendship, loss, kindness, motivation and young people growing up, through the lives of William and his friends, against the background of World War II.

I defy anyone to leave the theatre without a catch in the throat and joy in their heart.

Characters

Tom Oakley: A reclusive widower who lives alone with his dog, Sammy. He appears to be withdrawn and grumpy but deep down he is kind and caring. Acting age 50/70 years.

William Beech: A young boy from an unhappy home in London who is billeted with Mister Tom. Initially he is quiet and uncertain but develops into a bright active boy who learns to love life. Acting age 10/12 years

Zach: A young evacuee from a comfortable family home with a theatrical background. This shows through in his love of acting, poetry and entertaining. Acting age 10/12 years.

Sammy: Mister Tom`s Collie dog and best friend. A naturalistic puppet operated by a dedicated puppeteer. A non-speaking role but integral to the story and involved throughout.

Carrie and Ginny: Sisters living in the village who start by teasing Willie but become his good friends. They need to have a strong resemblance to each other. Acting age 12/14 but may be a little older.

George: A boy from the village, a friend of Carrie and Ginny. Acting age 12/14 but may be a little older.

Ensemble and character parts: The play also requires a number of male and female actors for character parts of all ages (villagers, Londoners etc) who are important to the story and will be involved throughout the production.  These are speaking parts and will be cast at the early stages of rehearsal.

If you have any questions about the roles,  the auditions, or any other aspect of the production, please do not hesitate to contact me.

tony.bradburn@live.co.uk