Casting readings for this powerful two-hander, to be performed in the Studio, will be held on 21 January in the Club Room and 23 January on the Main Stage.

The characters are Rick, ‘a white man in his 40s from Texas’ and Gloria, ‘an African-American woman in her 40s’.

For further information, if required, please contact Terry Prince, Director, via the Abbey Theatre.

This play runs from June 10 to 20, including Preview and Charity Night.

Casting readings take place on Tuesday 3 March and Thursday 5 March in the Abbey Theatre Studio at 8pm.

We’re looking for 3m 3w (with doubling).

Please note, this is hard-hitting ‘In Yer Face’ theatre dealing with domestic violence.

Director Angel Stone writes:

Auditions: Sunday 9 February at 11.30am; Tuesday 11 & Thursday 13 February at 8pm; all in the Club Room.
Rehearsals from: Monday 16 March
Run: 13 to 23 May

Plot: A washed-up Hollywood action star is flown to England by his dodgy agent to play King Lear at Stratford. But this is Stratford St. John in Suffolk, and he is signed on with The Stratford Players – an amateur company which is definitely not the RSC.

The amateurs are thrilled to have this star for their production as their theatre is under threat of closure, unless they can raise £50,000. They pin their hopes on this star-led production to save their beloved theatre.. Nb. We see King Lear being rehearsed and ultimately staged, but just small excerpts.

Characters: 4F 3M. All ages are acting ages. Three of the characters have short songs, so a decent singing voice is desirable. All have parts – often more than one – in King Lear.

Dorothy Nettle. 35–early 40’s. Director of the Stratford Players. Moving force behind keeping the theatre alive. Her sweet and accommodating manner conceals inner steel. Four songs.

Mary Plunkett. 40’s–early 50’s. Owner of The Rectory B&B. Jolly, generous; an adoring fan of Jefferson Steele, but gets confused about his film roles and how keen he is on her. Three songs.

Jessica Steele. 16–18. Jefferson’s daughter. Neglected by her father and now wants her revenge. Aspiring actress. Standard American accent.

Lauren Bell. 30’s. Attractive marketing executive, former physiotherapist and wife of the play’s sponsor.

Jefferson Steele. 50’s. Fading action movie star. Arrogant, insecure, brash, gauche, demanding and vulnerable. Ultimately aware of his own absurdity. Standard American accent.

Nigel Dewbury. 50’s–early 60’s. Solicitor and leading light of the Players. Pompous, stuck-up and self-regarding. Believes he should play all the leads. Fancies his chances with Dorothy.

Dennis Dobbins. Mid 30’s–early 50’s. Handyman and Mr. Fixit. Avuncular though slightly dull. Star struck by Jefferson. He has the running joke to do with Gloucester’s eyes. (See King Lear.) Two songs.