Auditions Information
Audition Dates
Auditions will be held on: –Wednesday 21st August 2024 and Sat 24th August 2024 at 7.30pm at the theatre.
Rehearsals Dates
Rehearsals will commence on the 23rd Sept 2024. They will be between 7.30pm to 10pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until Sunday 27th Oct when the Full Dress and Technical Rehearsal will be conducted between 2pm and 5pm. Last rehearsal will be Wednesday 30th October.
Performance Dates
31st Oct-2nd Nov and 7th -9th Nov 2024
Synopsis
Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford – only to find that this is not the birthplace of the Bard, but a sleepy Suffolk village. And instead of Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench, the cast are a bunch of amateurs trying to save their theatre from developers. Jefferson’s monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity are tested to the limit by the enthusiastic am-dram thespians. As acting worlds collide and Jefferson’s career implodes, he discovers some truths about himself – along with his inner Lear!
Written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman
Directed by Lesley Hornsby
Character List
JEFFERSON STEELE (M playing age 50+) – A fading Hollywood star/action hero who is arrogant, insecure, brash, gauche, demanding, vulnerable and ultimately aware of his own absurdity.
DOROTHY NETTLE (F playing age 35-50) – Director of the Stratford Players and the moving force behind keeping the theatre alive. Her sweet and accommodating manner conceals her inner steel
JESSICA STEELE (F playing age 18-25) – Jefferson’s daughter, who has been neglected by her Hollywood star father and now wants to make him pay for it.
NIGEL DEWBURY (M playing age 50+) – Solicitor and leading light of the Stratford Players. Pompous, stuck-up and self-regarding, he believes he is the star of the show, and should play all the leading roles. He also fancies his romantic chances with Dorothy
MARY PLUNKETT (F playing age 40-60) – Owner of the Rectory bed and breakfast. Jolly, homely, generous and an unashamedly adoring Jefferson Steele fan — although somewhat confused about which roles he played in his films, and how keen he is on her
DENIS DOBBINS (M playing age 30+) – Handyman and village Mr. Fixit. Avuncular though slightly dull, Denis is star-struck by Jefferson and fancies heading up his entourage of one
LAUREN BELL (F playing age 30-40) – Thirty-something marketing executive former physiotherapist and the sponsor’s wife. Passionate about the arts and smarter than her husband allows her to be, she’s treated as a bimbo because of her looks.
Playing ages are a guide only, it’s more important the characters fit well together. Clearly Jefferson and Jessica must be believable as father and daughter and should both be able to carry off an American accent. In the film Dorothy has a teenage daughter however this is not referenced in the play so she can be younger.
Audition Scripts
Scripts are available at the theatre for anyone who would like to read through the play. You may collect them from the bar area. There’ll be a sign in sheet for you to sign (adjacent to the corresponding number you’ll find inscribed inside the front page of each book). Please try to return the scripts promptly once you’ve finished with them, so that others may borrow them if they wish (we obviously have a limited supply). Please ensure that all scripts are returned the week prior to auditions.
Alternatively you can download the script parts by using the download link below.
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