Auditions – 2023 Season

By Brian Clemens; Directed by David Wood

Performance: July 3^rd to 8^th 2023
Casting: 4^th April, 18:00 to 20:00 in the bar.
(If this is too early and you are interested in reading for any part, I will stay on later, if you could let me know in advance)

Who is this man, Peter Meredith? Why is he a fugitive on the run?  Why is his wife so horrified by his intentions and is their unborn child safe from harm. Set in the exotic lavender fields of Provence, life should be an idyllic existence for the Merediths. Making a living from farming and selling his paintings of poppies in the market square, the existence could not be sweeter in a setting which will be ideal for bringing up their child. Then comes a bitter blow, not, as it happens, the onset of war, but when Suzy Meredith realises that her husband is not the man she thinks he is. This man is being hunted by Scotland Yard and tortured by his past? The secrets of this unique thriller will be revealed on the above dates, when a ruthless killer on the run is finally brought to justice in a terrifying denouement.” Notes: a) The performances will contain reports relating replica hand guns which will be ‘on’ stage. b) One of the characters in the play is suffering from a mental illness of an undisclosed nature.

Cast Required

• Josef – A middle aged handyman
• Peter Meredith – An artist, any age between 30 and 50
• Suzy Hinchcliffe – Younger than Peter
• Inspector Ross – Age not important
• Miriam Miller – His assistant

Contact details: wyncliffe46@gmail.com; Telephone: 01228 711 798

By Austin Rosser; Directed by Jason Munn

Performance: 14^th – 19^th August 2023
Casting: 13^th June at 18:30 in the Theatre

Murder, Mirth & Mayhem – The legend of the demon barber dates back to 14^th century France. Sweeney Todd is a fictional character who first appeared as the murderer of the Victorian penny dreadful The String of Pearls (1846–1847). He was later introduced as an antihero in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and its film adaptation of the same name. Claims that Sweeney Todd was an historical person are strongly disputed by scholars although possible legendary prototypes exist. This is not the musical! A thriller in two acts. The play starts in Sweeney Todd’s Barber shop. It is morning and early spring. Apart from a surprising change of heart and bid for sympathy at the final moments of this version of the classic story, Todd glories in his villainies throughout and gleefully slaughters right and left until the cast is almost eliminated. Commendably, the story is treated seriously and poking fun is discouraged.

Time Period – Nineteenth Century
Features – Period Costumes & an ambitious set!

Cast Required

• 3 women, 8 men, 2 boys (all ages welcome to audition for the male/female roles; the 2 boys will either be cast with younger people, or if not feasible, they will be portrayed by adult actors who can play young) – Sweeney Todd, Mrs Lovett, Jonas Fogg, Henry, Policeman, Labourer, Tobias Ragg, Mark Ingestrie, Joanna Oakley, Dr Aminadab Lupin, Flo

Contact details: squeegie22@me.com

By John Heimbuch & Jon Ferguson, based on the story by Washington Irving; Directed by Kate Sparkes-McSevich

Performance: 9^th to14^th Oct 2023
Casting: Wednesday 9^th August 2023

When humble schoolteacher Ichabod Crane visits the mysterious village of Sleepy Hollow, he vies for the hand of the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel, causing upset amongst the townspeople. But amidst the rumours and legends of something much more sinister, the townspeople end up being the least of his worries… A stylised and fun adaption of the well-known ghost story set in the early 1800’s, with both single and multi-roles available.

Cast Required

• Ichabod Crane – A schoolteacher, newly relocated to Sleepy Hollow to teach, who falls in love with Katrina Van Tassel
• Brom Bones – A confident villager, rival love interest of Katrina Van Tassel (a bit of a Jack-the-lad!)
• Katrina Van Tassel – The ‘golden girl’ of Sleepy Hollow

All three roles will be a similar age, but can be anywhere from 20’s to 40’s. There are 7 more  male or female rôles who are various farmers/schoolboys and girls/villagers and will be multi-rôle. In this adaption, these characters tell the story as it progresses so they are just as crucial (and present on stage!) as the main characters. Though there will not be much singing/dancing, there will be use of props and set in a stylised way to bring certain parts of the show to life, so actors should be confident in their movement and co-ordination.

Contact details: ksparkesmc@icloud.com; Telephone 07717 502 362