"The Play That Goes Wrong" In Need Of Actors
Auditions for "The Play That Goes Wrong" show. Casting actors. Please see the breakdown below. About the project: Welcome to the opening night of the Cornley Polytechnic University Dramatic. Society’s newest production, ''The Murder at Haversham Manor’', where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. This 1920's whodunit has everything you never wanted in a show – an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). Nevertheless, the accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences! Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, this Olivier Award-winning comedy is a global phenomenon that’s guaranteed to leave the audience aching with laughter! Additional info: Your audition will consist of readings from sides for the character(s) you wish to portray. The director may request you to read for additional roles. It is in your best interest to be familiar with the show. ALL roles will require a British accent (ALL except ANNIE are standard British; ANNIE should be Lancashire). Please be prepared to read sides at the audition with a British accent. Callbacks by invitation only – Saturday, October 15th @ 10:30 am Monday, October 17th @ 7:30 pm - Rehearsals will be 3-x/week (either 2 weeknights and 1 weekend day, or 3 weeknights) initially, increasing to 4-x/week (3 weeknights and 1 weekend day) leading up to the 2 weeks until opening. ALL conflicts MUST be reported at your audition, so please have your most current calendar available. - Rehearsals will begin the week of 10/24/22. Show dates: February 18th - March 11th, 2023; Friday & Saturday at 8 pm; Sundays at 2 pm. *There is the possibility of 1 or 2 additional Thursday evening Benefit Performances during the run, TBD. Character Breakdown : ALL roles will require a British accent. Please be prepared to read sides at the audition with a British accent. Based on theater's desire to keep its members and patrons safe, all cast, theater volunteers, and staff must be fully vaccinated. *Proof of Covid-19 vaccination will be required in order to volunteer at the theater and to work on any production. If you are interested please apply.
8 roles
Local esteemed inspector. High-status clown. Rigid, uptight, everything really matters. He is the director of the show and this is the biggest day of his life. Everything is riding on this. It is a nerve wracking and exciting night. His pain is evident and every time someone laughs the pain deepens. He has equal amounts of contempt for his fellow actors & the audience watching the play.
Charles’s old school friend. Wants to be Richard Burton, as evidenced by his declamatory style. He is, however, not a parody of a bad actor. He is unaware of others around him. He does not feel badly when things go wrong and never learns from his mistakes. There is a power struggle between Robert and Chris to be president of the Cornley Poly Drama Society (a position that matters a great deal to Robert). Has real vocal power.
Charles’s brother and Arthur, the gardener at Haversham Manor. He has never been on stage before. He learned his lines and does exactly what he's told to do. He has zero connection with any of the other actors, but when he gets a laugh he breaks the 4th wall and engages with the audience. Childlike and naïve. His mistakes are fundamental. He doesn't think anything through, just looks for approval.
Charles’s butler. He has no real desire to be involved in the theatre, he just wants to make friends (of which he has none). He believes if he does well in the show, he will be more successful socially. Laughter from the audience is agony for him. He may be slightly oblivious but understands when he gets things wrong. The laughter is a personal tragedy/failure.
The Company’s lighting & sound Operator. The play’s lighting and sound operator. He simply wants to get on with the show. Curmudgeonly and doesn’t care for actors. He is easily distracted and does many things he shouldn’t, including engaging with the audience. When things go really sideways, he is forced to act in the play. He hates acting.
Deceased. A bit bland, but sees himself as a James Bond type. Excited and having fun, but not naïve. He technically has to drive the show. He cares about the play, but not to the same extent as the others. VERY Physical role.
Charles’s fiancee & Thomas’s sister. She is vain and possesses a huge ego. Wants to be loved. Has ambitions to go to Hollywood and will hurt anyone standing in the way of what she wants but is smart enough to stay on the good side of someone who can help her (like the director). You know the type. The stakes are high for her. VERY physical role.
The Company’s stage manager. The stage manager. She has the biggest journey of any of the characters. When Sandra is indisposed, Annie, who cannot bear to be on stage, must step in. Initially terrified by acting, she is willing to kill for it by the end of the play. Her initial terror turns to joy, and then to fury. She starts small but grows and grows. ANNIE should be Lancashire dialect/accent.
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