Audition Notices
Jack Absolute Flies Again
Auditions:
About the Production:
Summer 1940. After an aerial dog fight, Pilot Officer Jack Absolute flies home to rejoin his intrepid young Hurricane squadron.
Back on British soil, Jack is shocked to find his old flame, Lydia, on the base. Setting his sights on winning her heart, but with turbulence and hilarity never far away, Jack’s advances quickly turn to anarchy when the young heiress demands to be loved on her own terms.
The action is largely based at the house and grounds of Mrs Malaprop – she of lexicographical dexterity and faultless electrocution.
Sheridan’s classic comedy of manners, The Rivals, is given an uproarious Battle of Britain update by Richard Bean, the award-winning writer of One Man, Two Guvnors, and Oliver Chris.
This will be a pukka, bang-on experience for all involved, on or off stage. No deployment is small as we defend the honour of The Archway Theatre!
Simply think The 39 Steps, mixed with One Man Two Guvnors and a dash of The Dam Busters. There will be comedy, high jinks, dancing and drama. If you can Lindy Hop or fancy learning, that might be something we explore. 😊
This really is a great, fun show to get involved in so get in touch to chat about any of it .😊
Roles:
- Pilot Officer Jack Absolute - 20s/30s, male, Section Leader, Blue Section ‘A’ Flight, 634 Hurricane Squadron (“The Flying Badgers”). Son to Sir Anthony Absolute, in love with Lydia Languish. Confident, comic book hero.
- First Officer Lydia Languish - 20s/30s, female, Aircraft delivery pilot, Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). Heiress to most of Sussex. Niece and ward of Mrs Malaprop.
- Mrs Malaprop - 50s/60s, female, Lady of Fontwell Manor. Sometime guardian to Miss Lydia Languish. A lady of great lexicographical dexterity and faultless electrocution. Talks to the audience with a twinkle in her eye.
- Pilot Officer Roy Faulkland - 20s/30s, male, Hurricane pilot, ‘A’ Flight, 634 Squadron. Fiancé and cousin to Julia Melville, best friend to Jack Absolute. Innocent and soppy!
- Julia Melville - 20s/30s, female, Chief Volunteer, Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). Driver to Sir Anthony. Fiancée and cousin to Roy Faulkland. Best friend to Lydia Languish. A jolly good sort.
- Lucy - 20s-40s, female, Lady’s maid to Mrs Malaprop, Smitten with Dudley. A cockney.
- Major General Sir Anthony Absolute - 50s/60s, male, Lord of most of Devon. Scourge of India. Father to Jack Absolute. Absolute silver fox. No-nonsense army man.
- Pilot Officer Bob Acres - 30s/40s, male, Hurricane pilot, ‘A’ flight, 634 squadron, Australian. A bit slow off the mark.
- Pilot Officer Bikram ‘Tony’ Khattri - 20s-40s, male, Hurricane pilot, ‘A’ flight, 634 squadron, Sikh from the Punjab. South Asian / Indian actor required. An educated Oxford graduate who likes to think he’s a poet.
- Intelligence Officer Brian Coventry - 40s/50s, male, 634 squadron, RAF Fontwell. Lovely chap!
- Warrant Officer 2 Dudley Scunthorpe - 30s/40s, male, Lead mechanic/fitter to Blue Section, 634 squadron, RAF Fontwell. A Yorkshireman. Smitten with Lucy.
- Flight Officer Peter Kingsmith - 20s-40s, male, Very small role at end of play, also part of ensemble, Hurricane pilot.
- Flight Sergeant Stuart Sampson - 20s-40s, any gender, Very small role at end of play, also part of ensemble.
Extras
- female, Possible extras for the potential ensemble in one small section of the play.
Singers / Musicians
- We might create a little musical theme throughout where live musicians or singers would be featured at moments throughout. Think Andrews Sisters or a 40s Skiff band. Doesn’t have to be the same group for all 10 shows….
N.B.
- Ages are a rough guide.
I Do Not
Auditions:
About the Production:
Rehearsals: starting Thursday, 14th May
All Maria and Callum want is the perfect Marvel meets Disney wedding...or do they? While the bride and groom each have their own serious doubts about getting married, the wedding guests have too much to drink, place bets, bicker and nearly die of starvation.
Grandma Pat is getting fed up with waiting. The groom's brother unwittingly becomes the victim of a strange game of cat and mouse. Uncle Chris accidentally spills wine on his sister's girlfriend. The groom’s divorced parents can't stand to be near each other, and the maid of honour is trying not to lose her mind, or get distracted by the best man.
I Do Not is a snappy yet curiously thoughtful comedy, taking a modern look at what it means to be in love, and if marriage is really worth more than the paper it’s written on. Ridiculous in places, and touching in others, I Do Not offers an updated view on what commitment really means.
This is a big-cast comedy with a big heart. There are fourteen larger-than-life characters up for grabs, with ages ranging from 16 to 90. If you’re an actor looking for a production that’s a little silly but very fun, then I Do Not is the perfect play for you. Each character gets their moment to shine, as well as be amongst the chaos of the wider group, bouncing off each other in some delightful mayhem.
Keep your eyes peeled for more info about the I Do Not auditions in the next newsletter. And if you would like to have a look at the script, please email us.