Current Auditions
We are always happy to welcome new members and it is possible to audition without joining but no part can be offered until the membership fee is paid. If you are not already a member you can join on the night.
You are most welcome to just turn up on the night - go upstairs to the bar area when you arrive however if you need more specific information about the play please email the theatre.
If you have any problems, such as dyslexia, please let the director know.
The Entertainer : by John Osborne
Director: Max Bromley
18th June 2013 : 19:30 : Lace Market Theatre
Contact : Max Bromley
Telephone : 0115 950 7201
A fabulous play but the five major roles will be a real challenge text and acting wise. Rehearsals will be a voyage of discovery as we work on a text which had such power when first performed in 1957 and has such surprising relevance in 2013.
Characters
BILLY RICE – ‘a spruce man in his seventies. He has great physical pride, the result of a life-time of being admired as a “fine figure of a man”….when he speaks it is with a dignified Edwardian diction - not an accent of class but of period…’
I anticipate that the actor will age to play this part. I would also like him to be taller than the actor playing ‘Archie’.
JEAN RICE – ‘about 22…she is what most people would call plain, but already humour and tenderness have begun to stake their small claims around her nose and eyes…’ I’m not sure what Osborne means by this but she has a power and strength which gradually manifests itself as the play progresses.
ARCHIE RICE – about 50. A difficult role. He is not a good comic. Osborne admired Max Miller – Archie is not in that class – his ‘act’ needs to be rather more real than Liza Minnelli’s was as Sally Bowles which means the actor needs to be able to act badly. I would like him to be slightly smaller in real life than he appears on stage and I don’t want Olivier’s grotesque characterisation.
PHOEBE RICE – ‘about 60, with fair hair that was attractive once, and still has a great deal of care spent on it. Her face is made up, though not skilfully. She is never still, she never listens; or if she is obliged to listen to anyone becomes abstracted and depressed.’ Again would be quite happy for the actress to age for this role.
FRANK RICE – a slightly smaller role – not in Act 1 – ‘a shy boy of about 19. He has allowed himself to slip into the role of Archie’s feed because this seems to be a warm, reasonable relationship that suits them both. He is impulsive, full of affection that spills over easily. He is young and will probably remain so.’ Again not totally sure what Osborne is getting at but might be suitable for a Youth Theatre member.
PLUS
WILLIAM RICE and GRAHAM DODD who are only in the last scene which means a considerably reduced rehearsal commitment.
WILLIAM is Archie’s brother –a highly successful and distinguished lawyer.
GRAHAM will be like him in thirty years, provided he is successful. Well dressed, assured, well educated, his emotional and imaginative capacity so limited to be practically negligible.
Scripts will be available soon. Please phone ahead to check.
God of Carnage : by Yazmina Reza. Translated by Chrisopher Hampton
Director: Graeme Jennings
9th July 2013 : 19:30 : Lace Market Theatre
Contact : Graeme Jennings
Telephone : 0115 950 7201
We are always happy to welcome new members and it is possible to audition without joining but no part can be offered until the membership fee is paid. If you are not already a member you can join on the night.
You are most welcome to just turn up on the night - go upstairs to the bar area when you arrive however if you need more specific information about the play please email the theatre.
If you have any problems, such as dyslexia, please let the director know.