Auditions
AUDITION NOTICE
BLITHE SPIRIT by Noel Coward
When: Thursday 23 May 2019 at 7pm
Where: GHTC Rehearsal room, The Assembly House, Theatre St. Norwich
Director: Sabrina Poole sdpoole93@hotmail.com
Performance dates: 10-14 September 2019
Blithe Spirit – the improbable farce. Arguably one of Noel Coward’s most famous plays, it premiered in 1941 in the West End and was later adapted into a film starring Rex Harrison. The play revolves around Charles Condomine, a struggling novelist searching for inspiration for his next novel. His efforts bring Madame Arcati into his home to conduct a séance, but the attempt for literary inspiration brings something far less appealing to the surface in the form of Charles’ first wife Elvira.
I’m looking for actors with good comedic instinct and a willingness to play around with the approach to the humour – the play has been described in a review as resting comfortably on the edge of ridiculous. Particularly for the roles of Edith and Madame Arcati, a strong physicality is required.
Rehearsals:
Rehearsals will begin W/C 22nd July, three or four nights a week. Exact days will be decided with cast availability.
Cast:
Please note that ages given are as described in the script, however, they should be considered as a guide only. If you are unsure please email the director in advance.
Edith – any age - The Condomine’s maid. She’s new to the job and has a habit of doing things far too quickly, her employers attempt to get her to slow down – to great comic effect.
Ruth Condomine– mid 30’s – Charles’ second wife. She is an intelligent, straight-talking woman with a quick wit. She begins in the play with a strong composure which is swiftly worn down in the face of Elvira’s haunting. She won’t admit it but she always has been and still is jealous of Elvira.
Charles Condomine – about 40 – a ‘nice looking man’. A struggling novelist – charming, eloquent, irascible. He becomes increasingly exasperated as Elvira continues to haunt his home and terrify his new wife.
Doctor Bradman– middle aged – a friend of the Condomines, he is pleasant-looking and mild-mannered if somewhat cynical of the mystical arts.
Mrs Bradman– middle aged –she is the humorous and gossip-loving wife of the Doctor, of a similar if more excitable temperament than Ruth.
Madame Arcati –could be anywhere between forty-five and sixty-five – a striking woman, dressed with a “decided bias to the barbaric”. She is the eccentric medium invited by Charles to conduct a séance, thrilled to hear she’s conjured an “actual materialisation” in the form of Elvira.
Elvira –20’s to 30’s - Charles’s first wife, dead for seven years. She has a razor sharp wit, and a genuine enjoyment in the chaos she causes. She is decidedly unimpressed by Charles remarrying and does everything in her ghostly power to disturb her living rival.
Auditions:
The auditions will involve reading excerpts from the script in pairs/groups. Auditionees for the roles of Arcati and Edith can also expect to do some work on physicality as well.
Copies of the audition material are available in advance from the director. There will be a reading copy of the script made available at the audition.
If you cannot make the audition dates but are interested in being seen or have any questions please contact the director.
BLITHE SPIRIT by Noel Coward
When: Thursday 23 May 2019 at 7pm
Where: GHTC Rehearsal room, The Assembly House, Theatre St. Norwich
Director: Sabrina Poole sdpoole93@hotmail.com
Performance dates: 10-14 September 2019
Blithe Spirit – the improbable farce. Arguably one of Noel Coward’s most famous plays, it premiered in 1941 in the West End and was later adapted into a film starring Rex Harrison. The play revolves around Charles Condomine, a struggling novelist searching for inspiration for his next novel. His efforts bring Madame Arcati into his home to conduct a séance, but the attempt for literary inspiration brings something far less appealing to the surface in the form of Charles’ first wife Elvira.
I’m looking for actors with good comedic instinct and a willingness to play around with the approach to the humour – the play has been described in a review as resting comfortably on the edge of ridiculous. Particularly for the roles of Edith and Madame Arcati, a strong physicality is required.
Rehearsals:
Rehearsals will begin W/C 22nd July, three or four nights a week. Exact days will be decided with cast availability.
Cast:
Please note that ages given are as described in the script, however, they should be considered as a guide only. If you are unsure please email the director in advance.
Edith – any age - The Condomine’s maid. She’s new to the job and has a habit of doing things far too quickly, her employers attempt to get her to slow down – to great comic effect.
Ruth Condomine– mid 30’s – Charles’ second wife. She is an intelligent, straight-talking woman with a quick wit. She begins in the play with a strong composure which is swiftly worn down in the face of Elvira’s haunting. She won’t admit it but she always has been and still is jealous of Elvira.
Charles Condomine – about 40 – a ‘nice looking man’. A struggling novelist – charming, eloquent, irascible. He becomes increasingly exasperated as Elvira continues to haunt his home and terrify his new wife.
Doctor Bradman– middle aged – a friend of the Condomines, he is pleasant-looking and mild-mannered if somewhat cynical of the mystical arts.
Mrs Bradman– middle aged –she is the humorous and gossip-loving wife of the Doctor, of a similar if more excitable temperament than Ruth.
Madame Arcati –could be anywhere between forty-five and sixty-five – a striking woman, dressed with a “decided bias to the barbaric”. She is the eccentric medium invited by Charles to conduct a séance, thrilled to hear she’s conjured an “actual materialisation” in the form of Elvira.
Elvira –20’s to 30’s - Charles’s first wife, dead for seven years. She has a razor sharp wit, and a genuine enjoyment in the chaos she causes. She is decidedly unimpressed by Charles remarrying and does everything in her ghostly power to disturb her living rival.
Auditions:
The auditions will involve reading excerpts from the script in pairs/groups. Auditionees for the roles of Arcati and Edith can also expect to do some work on physicality as well.
Copies of the audition material are available in advance from the director. There will be a reading copy of the script made available at the audition.
If you cannot make the audition dates but are interested in being seen or have any questions please contact the director.
AUDITION NOTICE
Murder in Neighbourhood Watch by Stewart Burke
When: Friday 31 May 2019 at 7pm
Where: GHTC Rehearsal room, The Assembly House, Theatre St. Norwich
Director: Mu Gurbutt mugurbutt@hotmail.com
Performance dates: 29 October – 2 November 2019
Panic grips West Lynstead when a famous dress designer is raped and strangled. Andrew Wingate, headmaster of the local school, sets up his own “neighbourhood watch” and, disguised as a woman. walks the woods at night, laying himself open as bait for the killer. Andrew’s wife returns from holiday and is not sure what is going on, especially when an anonymous caller accuses him of attempted rape and a schoolgirl is lured into the hands of the killer. Things are not helped with the presence of Sandra, the busybody from next-door and a rather incompetent inspector from Wales.
Characters:
Andrew Wingate - 40 + Headmaster. Intelligent, but on edge as he knew the victim and feels responsible. Forms opinions about people quite quickly and does not suffer fools gladly.
Sandra Coburn 45 + Busybody. Jumps to conclusions, often the wrong ones. Friend of Ann and concerned that she has been away quite a long time. Doesn’t trust Andrew
Bruce Coburn 45 + Long suffering husband. Small part
Joe Lipton - any age School caretaker small part
Ann Wingate - 40 + Nice person. Realises she doesn’t know her husband very well - involvement with the victim, is he cross-dressing, is he the killer?
Chief Detective inspector Parry-Jones-Evans - from Wales. Not the most competent and his interview technique is rather intimidating and he upsets people.
Melody - schoolgirl. Frightened of her father and besotted with her boyfriend. Ends up being the killers target. Lots of weeping
Contact director, Mu Gurbutt, for further details or if you would like to audition but cannot make the 31st mugurbutt@hotmail.com
Murder in Neighbourhood Watch by Stewart Burke
When: Friday 31 May 2019 at 7pm
Where: GHTC Rehearsal room, The Assembly House, Theatre St. Norwich
Director: Mu Gurbutt mugurbutt@hotmail.com
Performance dates: 29 October – 2 November 2019
Panic grips West Lynstead when a famous dress designer is raped and strangled. Andrew Wingate, headmaster of the local school, sets up his own “neighbourhood watch” and, disguised as a woman. walks the woods at night, laying himself open as bait for the killer. Andrew’s wife returns from holiday and is not sure what is going on, especially when an anonymous caller accuses him of attempted rape and a schoolgirl is lured into the hands of the killer. Things are not helped with the presence of Sandra, the busybody from next-door and a rather incompetent inspector from Wales.
Characters:
Andrew Wingate - 40 + Headmaster. Intelligent, but on edge as he knew the victim and feels responsible. Forms opinions about people quite quickly and does not suffer fools gladly.
Sandra Coburn 45 + Busybody. Jumps to conclusions, often the wrong ones. Friend of Ann and concerned that she has been away quite a long time. Doesn’t trust Andrew
Bruce Coburn 45 + Long suffering husband. Small part
Joe Lipton - any age School caretaker small part
Ann Wingate - 40 + Nice person. Realises she doesn’t know her husband very well - involvement with the victim, is he cross-dressing, is he the killer?
Chief Detective inspector Parry-Jones-Evans - from Wales. Not the most competent and his interview technique is rather intimidating and he upsets people.
Melody - schoolgirl. Frightened of her father and besotted with her boyfriend. Ends up being the killers target. Lots of weeping
Contact director, Mu Gurbutt, for further details or if you would like to audition but cannot make the 31st mugurbutt@hotmail.com
Don't forget to check out auditions with our friends:
http://maddermarket.co.uk/get-involved/auditions/
http://www.sewellbarn.org/casting.html
http://maddermarket.co.uk/get-involved/auditions/
http://www.sewellbarn.org/casting.html