I am delighted to once again be directing my adaptation of A Christmas Carol, having first directed it 25 years ago in 2001.

Everyone knows the timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the visits from the ghosts – the joy here is in the telling. This adaptation utilises multiple role playing and shared narration to tell the story in all its glory – not just the dialogue (with all Dickens’ marvellous characters) but also the descriptive prose that gives Dickens his unique voice.

The cast is flexible, with suggested doubling below – but this can be altered to fit the cast. All cast (with the exception of Scrooge) will also be narrating throughout, as well as changing the scenes – so everyone will be kept very busy! It will be physical in places and there is a small amount of singing as well.

Roles:

• Ebenezer Scrooge - adult, male
• Fred / Young Ebenezer - adult, male
• Bob Cratchit - adult, male
• Charity Man 1 / Schoolmaster / Lighthouse Man / Gentleman 1 - adult, male
• Charity Man 2 / Belle’s Husband / Miner / Sailor / Undertaker - adult, male
• Jacob Marley’s Ghost / Miner / Lighthouse Man / Old Joe - adult, male
• Fezziwig / Topper / Gentleman 3 - adult, male
• Dick Wilkins / Man 1 / Poor Man - adult, male
• The Young Follower / Man 2 / Gentleman 2 - adult, male
• Ghost of Christmas Present / Poulterer - adult, male
• Ghost of Christmas Past / Miner / Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come - adult, female
• Phantom / Fanny / Miss Fezziwig / Girl 2 - adult, female
• Miss Fezziwig / Polly - adult, female
• Phantom / Miss Fezziwig / Martha Cratchit - adult, female
• Belle / Miner / Poor Woman - adult, female
• Mrs Cratchit - adult, female
• Girl 1 / Charwoman - adult, female
• Mrs Fezziwig / Miner / Mrs Dilber - adult, female
• Carol Singer / Young Scrooge / Peter Cratchit - child
• Boy Scrooge / Boy Cratchit / Turkey Boy - child
• Belle’s Child / Tiny Tim / Poor Child - child
• Phantom / Belle’s Child / Miner / Want / Poor Child - child
• Phantom / Belle’s Child / Miner / Ignorance / Poor Child - child
• Phantom / Belinda Cratchit - child
• Phantom / Maid - child

At both auditions everyone will work on a song together. Anyone auditioning for principal roles will be expected to perform the song solo.

Our choreographer Hannah will teach everyone a dance routine which will then be performed.

There will be mixture of improvised chorus scenes and scripted character work.

This is a panto and so characters are not tied to gender - we are excited to see what characterisation comes through in the audition and how people bounce off each other,

We will be considering Youth Workshop members for chorus and bird roles.

We are open to double casting the chorus to avoid disappointing too many youngsters!

Commitment: we are looking for people who will be able to commit to the rehearsal period of 2 weekday evenings and regular Sunday afternoons starting late October.

Panto Sparkle: We are looking for this to be evident throughout the audition.

We look forward to the audition.

Roles: