AUDITION NOTICE – CRANFORD

Director: Robert Tremayne (Assisted by Vicky Newman)
Auditions: Monday 14th July 2025
Time & Venue: Ditchling Village Hall from 19:30
Performance Dates: 26th–29th November 2025
Rehearsals Begin: Tuesday 2nd September 2025

ABOUT THE PLAY
A warm, witty, and touching adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s beloved novel. Cranford paints a portrait of a quiet Cheshire town ruled by its women. Amidst bonnets, tea, and gentle scandal, they face change with resilience, humour, and heart. Narrated by Gaskell herself, this is a story of friendship, dignity, and unexpected romance.

REHEARSALS
Rehearsals will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Ditchling Village Hall with occasional Sundays added as we approach show week.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN & PLAYING AGES (Playing ages are flexible depending on auditionees)

• Mrs Gaskell (F, 40s–60s): The older version of Mary Smith and the narrator. Warm, wise, and affectionate. Guides the audience through the events of her past with humour and emotion.
• Miss Matilda Jenkyns (Miss Matty) (F, 50s–60s): Gentle, kind, and quietly dignified. Deeply beloved by the town, she is at the heart of Cranford’s community and its emotional story.
• Martha (F, 20s–40s): Miss Matty’s loyal servant. Practical, blunt, and plain-speaking. Provides comic relief and touching loyalty.
• Mary Smith (the younger version of Mrs Gaskell) (F, 20s–30s): Warm, thoughtful, and quietly humorous. A young outsider observing the world of Cranford with affection and keen intelligence.
• Miss Pole (F, 40s–60s): Dramatic, excitable, and loves being the centre of gossip. Often prone to exaggeration, she’s both funny and frustrating.
• Miss Barker (F, 40s–60s): A former milliner. Pompous and socially ambitious, with comic rivalry between her and Miss Pole.
• Mrs Forrester (F, 50s–60s): Sweet, slightly scatterbrained, with a fondness for her dog. Another of Cranford’s lovable eccentrics.
• The Honourable Mrs Jamieson (F, 50s–60s): Proud, snobbish, and obsessed with social status. Looks down on the other women but is secretly lonely.
• Mr Hoggins (M, 40s–60s): Gruff but warm-hearted local doctor. Unconcerned with social pretensions, bringing warmth and humanity to the town.
• Lady Glenmire (F, 40s–50s): Mrs Jamieson’s aristocratic sister-in-law. Surprisingly down-to-earth, shocks the community by falling in love with Mr Hoggins.
• Jem Hearn (M, 20s–40s): Honest, hardworking carpenter. Courting Martha. Their romance adds warmth and hope to the story.

No previous experience necessary, we welcome new faces as well as familiar ones!

TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST PLEASE SEND YOUR EMAIL, ADDRESS &
PHONE NO TO: chair@ditchlingplayers.org.uk

CRANFORD

Adapted by Martyn Coleman

From the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell

Director: Robert Tremayne (Assisted by Vicky Newman) 

Performance Dates: 26th–29th November 2025

 

Tuesday December 5th, 2023, between 7.30 and 9.30 pm at the Ditchling Village Hall, Ditchling, Lewes Road.

This play is an interesting study of family interactions and perceptions. On the surface the Rodales seem like an ordinary family, but the spark has gone out of Jill and Mal’s marriage. Their teenage son resents his father and their married daughter, Chrissie, has recently become a mother and is facing her own problems with her husband Dean.

Although they all give advice on how to cope with their situations, no one is really listening – until one day – when Jill and Mal have different views of their behaviour which gives rise to many hilarious situations and altered perspectives.

The audition is for two characters:

Dean – Jill and Mal’s son in law who also works with Mal. He is very much on the same wavelength as Mal on how to treat women.

(Age range mid to late twenties but possibly a bit older)

Chrissie – Jill and Mal’s daughter and long-suffering wife of Dean. Extremely concerned about her mother and who often “lets the cat out of the bag”.

(Age range mid to late twenties but possibly a bit older)

KEY PRODUCTION DATES

Rehearsals are held at the Village Hall, mainly in the lower hall, every Tuesday and Thursday evening starting Tuesday 20th February.

Performances Wednesday 22nd May to Saturday 25th May inclusive with a matinée on the Saturday.

A limited number of scripts are available to borrow and audition pieces will be provided.

For further information and to express an interest, please contact Penelope on director@ditchlingplayers.org.uk

Our always-popular members Christmas dinner is booked for Friday, 8th December. All members should now have an email, if not please contact chair@ditchlingplayers.org.uk.

This has always been a popular evening with good food, some light entertainment from our members and our now famous free raffle which all go towards making a pleasant and convivial evening. We hope to see you there!