There will be a read through on Monday January 20th for anyone interested to get more familiar with the play, and then auditions on Tuesday January 28th, (Both at Ditchling Village Hall, 7:30 to :9:30pm. Read through and auditions are open to anyone, but anybody cast will need to become a member of the Players.)
Murder In Play is an ensemble piece with roles that are broadly written, and so will be fun to play, and for most there is the opportunity to play a different persona in the role within the role.
As always, playing age is far more important than actual, and there is always some leeway in the recommendations as well as the magic of theatre when the audience is at a distance.
The Roles
| Boris Smolensky Director, producer and author of Murder at Priorswell Manor Egocentric, philandering, semi-competent, Borris is desperate to make an impact and move to the USA. Bohemian, he may or may not be Russian, (is he actually a meerkat?). but Boris regards himself as God’s gift to both women and the theatre. He may be younger than his wife Renee, but dresses younger still with ponytail, cowboy boots and tight jeans. (Other costuming is possible). He could be any age from 40+. |
| Renee Savage Boris’s wife and his usual leading lady. Renee is classically trained and is a diva with a rather haughty streak. Described as “generously” in her late forties, (so 50+) she is very glamorous as herself and as Lady Dorothy who is described as a dowager in her sixties. Like the Devil dressed in Prada, Renee “doesn’t do lunch”. |
| Christa d’Amato Christa is a former soap star, health food fanatic, with a skeleton in the closet, now reduced to this small touring production where she plays Mrs Puttock, the cook. (Imagine Noele Gordon from Crossroads reduced to playing a working class character role). When not reminiscing, Christa believes in health food smoothies and winding up her contemporary Renee. |
| Ginette Vincent Is the glamorous love interest of both Boris & Tim. Naive and star-struck by Boris, she is untalented and exceedingly dumb, (but need not be blonde). While she is apparently in her first stage role, we don’t know what else she may have done in the past. |
| Harrison Bracewell An older Shakespearian “luvvie” of the old school, fond of recounting tales of working with “Rafe” (Ralph) Richardson. Fond of the bottle as well the bard, he is “in his 60s” and has a lifetime of treading the boards in minor roles. Sneaking a drink whenever possible, he’s largely able to ham his way through the undemanding dual roles of the eccentric Mr Papadopoulos and Inspector Delver, although it would help if he could remember his lines… |
| Sophie Lawton Is a junior member of the company, and not very experienced (or perhaps particularly talented). She is intelligent and fed up playing only bit parts after three years of drama school..Sophie is also the amateur detective, and the script suggests that she is in her late 20s, with a possible romantic attachment to Tim. |
| Tim Fermor Tim is a former soldier, and appropriately enough plays Major Rodney Pirbright. He has a limited acting ability, especially when using props, but he covers this up by frequently quoting chapter and verse of Equity rules. He is suggested as being in his early 30s.. |
| Pat Smith Is the company stage manager. Overworked, paint splattered and tool-bag in hand, Pat keeps things in working, even while the butt of Boris’s ire and everyones’ demands. Her age is not specified, but she could be in her 30s or 40s. |
If you have any questions, or are unable to make the auditions dates, please feel free to contact the director Paul Davey, PD@pdc.co.uk