Auditions – The Farndale Ave Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of Macbeth

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of Macbeth

Director: Elaine Burns
Scheduled for: 17-21 May, 2022
Auditions:
  • Tuesday 16th November, 7:30 pm
  • Friday, 19th November, 7.30 pm
If you are intrigued please come along.  Don’t hesitate to ask me for information though.  If you would like to work backstage then you will be very welcome.
Elaine Burns
The play
This series of plays involve the gallant women of Farndale Ave trying to put on plays from all genres against the odds.  The odds being lack of money, skill and talent.
In Macbeth, they are performing as part of a drama festival and nearly run out of time to get to the end.
The characters
3 men and 6 women
George Peach – adjudicator.  He sits at the side of the stage throughout taking notes.  He also puts on makeup, does some basic magic tricks and wears a dress for his final scene.  Most of his lines are from his notes which he can refer to.
Henry, stage manager – he is forced to take over as Lady Macbeth, in a dress and wig.  He plays her quite well and knows all the lines.  There is a fair amount to learn ie several pages in one go.
Plummer, the producer – he is ineffectual and has several tantrums about the way things are going. He takes over as Macbeth, temporarily,  but with the book.
Mrs Reece, the Chairwoman – plays herself mostly, introduces Peach and runs the raffle but also plays Lady Macduff and the doctor
Thelma – always tries to dominate scenes, is in a feud with Henry and storms off at one point.  Plays Macbeth and Ross.  Must be able to handle the lines
Minnie – good-natured, plays Banquo and Lady Macduff’s son
Dawn –  older than the others, can’t see without her glasses, plays 1st witch, porter, 2nd murderer, Duncan, Fleance
Felicity – 2nd witch, Seyton, 1st murderer, Malcolm, Gentlewoman
Kate – is on crutches throughout and in a wheelchair at the end, 3rd witch, Macduff, messenger
The set is simple but there are lots of props and effects.  A few actors will have some chunks of Shakespeare to learn but no one has a long monologue.
If you are intrigued please come along.  Don’t hesitate to ask me for information though.  If you would like to work backstage then you will be very welcome.
Elaine Burns
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Auditions – My Second Best Bed

My Second Best Bed by Barry Syder

Director: Moyra Brookes
Scheduled for: February 22nd – 26th 2022 at 7.30 pm.
Running time 40 minutes
Auditions:
  • Tuesday 26th October, 7:30 pm
  • Tuesday, November 2nd, 7.30 pm

If you would like to audition, cannot make the dates but are interested or would like more information please email me on [email protected], or please just turn up

Auditions for My Second Best Bed by Barry Syder, the second part of our February double bill, will be held at the Nomad Theatre on Tuesday 26th October and Tuesday 2 November at 7.30pm. This production will be staged in the main auditorium and will be directed by Moyra Brookes. The performance dates are 22-26 February 2022. The running time is about 40 mins.

The play

The play takes place in May 1616 in a room in “New Place” the home of William Shakespeare and his family in Stratford Upon Avon, three weeks after his death. The Curate has come to read the will! The sisters have a fiery relationship and explain to the curate the circumstances that shaped the way Shakespeare lived his life. In a poignant scene, the sisters finally reveal to the curate the reason behind the seemingly odd bequest of the second-best bed.

Cast:

Susanna Hall: 34-44 Shakespeare’s eldest daughter, middle-aged housewife

Curate: 25-35 self-righteous church official, clerical mind with modern outlook (think Mr Collins in P&P and star-struck on celebs)

Judith: 32-42, the youngest daughter, bad-tempered. She runs the local tavern with her husband

Anne Hathaway: 60+ early onset of Dementia (very small part)

You can audition for both this and The Real Inspector Hound.

If you would like to audition, cannot make the dates but are interested or would like more information please email me on [email protected], or please just turn up

Posted in Auditions

Auditions – The Real Inspector Hound

The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard

Director: Paul Asher

Scheduled for: February 22nd – 26th 2022  at 7.30 pm. Running time approx. 70 minutes.

Auditions: Tuesday, November 2nd, 7.30pm

If you are interested in auditioning, contact [email protected]  . . .   but you could just turn up at 7.30pm on the 2nd!

Please let the Director know if you can’t make the date and we’ll arrange a separate date/ time.

The play forms the first part of a two one-act play evening. Moyra will be directing ‘The Second Best Bed’ for the second half of the evening.

The play

The RIH is generally thought of as one of Stoppard’s funniest as well as being very enjoyable to play. The play-within-the-play is set in “Lady Muldoon’s country residence one morning in early spring”. During the play, the two theatre critics discuss things they may write about this typical whodunit, but they are often sidetracked by their soliloquies, Moon’s concerning his professional jealousy of Higgs and Birdboot’s concerning his newly found “love”, the actress playing Cynthia.

Characters

Please note that although the character of
Inspector Hound is referred to as ‘he’ in the play I am open to the part being played by a female actor.

Critics*

Moon – a second-string theatre critic, called to the production to review it in the absence of Higgs, another critic. Playing age, 40+

Birdboot – a theatre critic and a womaniser, who catapults young actresses to stardom by delivering dazzling reviews in return, we assume, for sexual favours. Married to Myrtle, he is having an affair with the actress who plays Felicity in the play within the play. Playing age, 30+

Play-within-a-play characters

Mrs Drudge – The maid, or char, of Muldoon Manor. Cockney accent. Playing age, 50+

Simon Gascoyne – New to the neighbourhood, Simon has had affairs with both Felicity and Cynthia. Later in the play, Birdboot assumes the role of Simon Gascoyne, and vice versa. Playing age 30+/-

Felicity Cunningham – A beautiful, innocent, young friend of Cynthia’s who has had an affair with Simon and Birdboot. She is seemingly sweet and charming but soon seeks ruthless revenge. Playing age 25+

Cynthia Muldoon – Apparent widow of Lord Albert Muldoon who disappeared ten years ago. Sophisticated and beautiful. She has had an affair with Simon. Playing age 40+/-

Major Magnus Muldoon – Lord Albert Muldoon’s crippled half-brother who just arrived from Canada. Has a desire for his late brother’s widow, Cynthia. Takes an instant dislike to Simon, as they are both in love with Cynthia. Playing age 40+

Inspector Hound – Appears from outside the house in the middle of the play to investigate an alleged phone call. Moon assumes this role near the end of the play, and vice versa. Playing age. Anywhere from 40 ish to 60 ish.

* The following are referred to but do not appear:

Higgs – the senior critic, Moon is his stand-in.

Puckeridge – the third-string theatre critic, or Moon’s stand-in.

If you are interested in auditioning, contact [email protected]  . . .   but you could just turn up at 7.30pm on the 2nd!

Posted in Auditions