Category: News

Stuart Lawson

Urgent Casting Call: Cranford

Although we have almost a full cast for Cranford we’re still looking for two cast members to join what is already shaping up to be a warm, witty, and truly special production.

Directed by Robert Tremayne this charming adaptation of Cranford by Martyn Coleman is full of heart, humour, and classic storytelling.

It will also be the Players’ official entry to the BHAC Awards 2025 — so expect quality, camaraderie, and something to be proud of.

To complete the company we’re looking for actors for the following roles:

🌿 MISS BARKER

  • A retired milliner with social aspirations. Pompous, competitive (especially with Miss Pole), but not without charm.
  • Stage Age: Flexible
  • Accent: Well spoken
  • Great comic instincts welcome.

🪓 JEM HEARN

  • A quiet, kind-hearted labourer from the working class. Deeply devoted to Martha, the housemaid. A man of few words but much warmth.
  • Stage Age: 20s – 40s
  • Accent: Northern (Lancashire/Yorkshire)
  • Also supports scene changes in Act 1.

If either you or someone you know would be interested in either of these roles would you please contact Robert Tremayne – robert.tremayne31@gmail.com as soon as possible

Rehearsals are Tuesday & Thursday evenings from September 2nd

Performances: November 26th–29th 2025

Ditchling Village Hall

Come and be part of something truly special.

Stuart Lawson

Audition Notice: Cranford

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

the players

Spring 2025 Play Announced

Our spring production will be the comedy mystery Murder In Play by expert mystery writer Simon Brett His impressive track record includes over 60 published mystery novels and a plethora of awards including
Crime Writers Association’s Diamond Dagger. With a comedy track record working with Douglas Adams, Prunella Scales and Frank Muir you can be sure of laughs as well as mayhem,


Performances are Wed 21st to Sat 24th May, so put those dates in your diaries now!

Directed by Paul Davey, (last seen in If I Were You in 2024), Murder In Play is set in a provincial theatre where a motley troupe of actors assembled by director and impresario Boris Smolensky are rehearsing his latest play … until a death takes the action off script.

There is a range of male and female roles, and anyone interested in auditioning is encouraged to come to the read through on Monday, January 20th. More details can be found here.