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.)
(Show dates are Wed 21st to Sat 24th May, and our usual rehearsal nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays)
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. All the characters have some very funny lines and actions.
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. In any event, the import issue is that Renee and Christa, are of a broadly similar age, with Sophie, Ginette and Tim somewhat younger.
The Roles
| Boris Smolensky (major role) Director, producer and author of Murder at Priorswell Manor Egocentric, philandering, semi-competent, Boris 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 (large supporting role) 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 (large supporting role) 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 (supporting role) 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 as the ingénue Lady Virginia, we know little of else she has done in the past. |
| Harrison Bracewell (large supporting role) 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 an undemanding role as the eccentric Mr Papadopoulos, although it would help if he could remember his lines… |
| Sophie Lawton (major role) Junior actress, (and initially rather overlooked by Boris) she is intelligent and fed up playing only bit parts after three years of drama school. But Sophie is also the amateur detective, and her part develops considerably through the play. The script suggests that she is in her late 20s. |
| Tim Fermor (large supporting role) Tim is a jobbing actor 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, and was previously in a relationship with Ginette. |
| Pat Smith (supporting role) 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 somewhere in her 30s to 50s. |
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