Auditions: A Bunch of Amatuers

Audition: A Bunch of Amateurs by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman

Directed By Anthony Kemp

Audition Date: Mon 13th Jan 2025 at 7.30pm

Scheduled Performance Dates: Tues 29th April -Sat 3rd May 2025

If you are interested please contact Anthony Kemp on [email protected] or just turn up. If you are interested but cannot make the date please contact us so we can arrange to see you.

Synopisis
Fading Hollywood actor Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford. Unfortunately, it is Stratford in a sleepy Suffolk Village and the home of the Stratford Players – a somewhat struggling amateur dramatic group who are trying to save their theatre from developers. A hilarious comedy co written by Ian Hislop from Private Eye and co writer of Spitting Image and Nick Newman. This is a relatively new comedy having only made it’s debut in 2014 and having also been made into a film.  The cast consists of 4 women ( one of which is a 17 year old girl or of similar age) and 3 men. The characters are set out below
Jefferson Steele  A fading Hollywood actor who is  arrogant, insecure, brash, vulnerable and ultimately aware of his own absurdity
Dorothy Nettle     Director of the Stratford Players and the moving force behind keeping the theatre alive.
Jessica Steele       Teenage daughter of Jefferson who has been neglected by him and now wants him to pay.
Nigel Dewbury      Solicitor and leading light of the Players. Pompous, stuck up, he believes he is the star of the show. Also fancies Dorothy
Mary Plunkett       Owner of the Rectory B & B. Jolly character who is a big Jefferson fan but gets confused about which films and roles he has been in.
Denis Dobbins     Handyman. He is rather dull but star struck by Jefferson
Lauren Bell             Marketing executive and wife of the sponsor. Passionate about the arts but a bit of a bimbo.
Rehearsals: Monday and Thursday evenings . Wednesdays if the theatre is not available on a Thursday)
This amateur production of “A Bunch of Amateurs” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. www.comcordtheatricals.co.uk

AUDITIONS: A Double Bill in the Studio

Auditions: A Double Bill in the Studio

Audition Date: Tuesday 7th January 2025 at 7.30pm

Scheduled Performances: Tues 11th to Sat 15th March 2025

Ashes to Ashes by  Ann Gawthorpe and Lesley Brown

Directed by Moyra Brookes

The basic premise is the observation that a pretty young girl will often have a much plainer sidekick – the twist is that their roles were reversed in middle age. This two-handed black comedy begins when they bring home the ashes of Margaret’s husband Max. Margaret, who used to be subservient to Divora is now the dominant one but this changes when Divora realises that Max’s death was not an accident. But the balance of power between them constantly changes throughout this play.

  • Margaret– a well-preserved middle-aged woman, bleached blonde, has worked hard to better herself and lose her  accent, but it surfaces at times of stress as indicated
  • Divora Margaret’s best friend at school, was a pretty girl but married young and let herself go, plump, broad accent

Physical attributes such as hair colour and size can be provided via wigs and padding

An amateur production by arrangement with Stagescripts Ltd.

Gardening Leave by Nicolas Ridley

Directed By Nikky Kirkup

Bob is on ‘gardening leave’ and has been for a few months. He’s more than a little anxious ‘to get back in the saddle’ because work is Bob’s life.It must be the right job, of course; not that money isn’t important. Bob’s son is starting boarding school, his daughters are buying ponies and the family has recently moved to a bigger house with a bigger mortgage.

This has meant his wife has had to return to work. Fortunately, her old firm welcomed her back  and it’s been a case of onwards and upwards. Her success is marvellous, but it’s taken a toll on their personal life.

A solution seems in sight. Bob has arranged to meet Tom, a friend of a friend, to explore any available opportunities. Can Tom point Bob in the right direction? Better still, does Tom have any openings himself?

The problem is… Well, there are lots of problems. Mistaken identity, crossed purposes, an extraordinary revelation and – finally – a terrible let-down.

Bob’s desperation and lack of self-awareness adds a tinge of tragedy to the piece, and his relationship with Tom, who remains mystified throughout, is in constant flux.

Bob and Tom are contrasting characters who give both actors an ample opportunity to explore their comic talents. Bob’s wife, Fiona, who appears towards the end of the play, is a cameo part that adds enormously to the fun of the piece.

Characters: Bob, Tom, Fiona

An amateur production by arrangement with Stagescripts Ltd.

 

Blue Fire Theatre Co Present: The Diary of A Nobody

Blue Fire Theatre Co Present: The Diary of A Nobody

by George and Weedon Grossmith

Adapted by Tim Shaw

Friday 31st Jan at 7.30pm

Tickets £15

Step into the whimsical world of Charles Pooter, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary!

Follow the hilarious mundane misadventures of a man who navigates the ups and downs of subarbia with a touch of comedic flair. Discover how the simple moments in life can spark laughter, reflection and a deeper connection to our own quirks