It’s Friday afternoon in the city and in six different offices, six apparently different stories are unfolding; however, in today’s world there is always a connection.It’s Friday afternoon in the city and in six different offices, six apparently different stories are unfolding; however, in today’s world there is always a connection.
Why is there a figure skater on the window ledge and, more importantly, will he jump in time to make the six o-clock news? What is his connection to the one-armed man – or the jockey, the film director, or the angry wife, come to that?
Ticket prices: £10, £8.50 concessions
To be performed in the Studio, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts
Performance Dates – Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th April 2008
Readthrough: Monday 14th January 2008, 8pm at 2 Brudenell, Windsor SL4 4UR
Auditions: Thursday 24th January 2008, 8pm at Boyn Hill Cricket Club.
OFFICE HOURS consists of six separate, but linked, episodes – all seemingly independent, but we gradually realise the connections between them.
There are numerous ways of casting this play - It can be done with as few as 3M, 2F, however I would definitely like to see more people than that involved!
My ideal minimum would be 5M, 3F, allowing each person (apart from 1F) a role in each act. However, I am very happy to cast the net wider and allocate more (smaller) roles, depending on the number of people interested and their preferences.
For guidance, set out below is a brief synopsis of each episode, the characters in it, a rough feel of ages, and an indication of the size of each role (with A being the most lines, through to D the least)
Readthrough and audition dates are shown above. If you would like to see a copy of the script in advance, or find out more about auditioning or helping with other roles, please do contact me.
Carol Hennessy
carol@hennwinds.me.uk
07947 055283
|
CHARACTERS |
AGE RANGE |
SIZE OF ROLE |
THE TV STATIONWarren is a TV reporter at the end of his tether with his boss, ex TV hostess Pam - who got the job by marrying the station owner. |
Warren Kemble |
Late 40s |
A |
THE ‘PITCH’Small time film producers Gordon and Francine are being pitched the idea for a new movie by director Bobby. It soon becomes apparent that (alcoholic) Bobby is well past his intellectual prime and his ‘new’ script is actually an abysmal re-working of Tarzan. |
Gordon Blaine |
30s – 50s |
A |
THE PRIVATE EYEMark, a literary agent, is trying to sell the film rights to his client’s book when he is interrupted by his wife. She produces pictures taken by a private investigator that show him having sex with their best friend – whilst their racehorse was collapsing at the racetrack! |
Mark Young |
20s – 30s |
A |
THE VISITRichard, a lawyer specialising in the film world, is visited unexpectedly by his parents. His revelations about his private life are interrupted by the news that his brother is threatening suicide. |
Richard Penny |
25 – 35 |
B |
THE DISMISSALStan inherited the racetrack from his father, who had promised his best friend’s son, Artie, a job for life - however, 200 lb. jockeys are not greatly in demand! |
Stan Thurber |
25 – 35 |
B |
THE DESCENTNeil, a failed ice skater, is on the window ledge, ready to jump. His frustrated psychiatrist, Sharon, wants him down quickly, as she has a hot date for the weekend – how can the salesman help? |
Sharon Freeman |
30s – 50s |
B |
Once again, there is scope for great flexibility depending on casting. It should certainly be possible to split rehearsals up so that most are only called once or twice a week for the majority of the rehearsal period. We normally rehearse on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, from 8-10pm, however I am open to other options - earlier in the evening, or weekends, as suits. The two weeks before the production we will run the play, so everyone will be required.
Slightly different from our normal, so please take note –
| Get-In: | Monday 7th April 2008 |
| Technical Rehearsal: | Tuesday 8th April |
| Dress Rehearsal: | Wednesday 9th April |
| Performances: | Thursday 10th – Sunday 13th April |
As always, a performance can never take place without all the other vital jobs being done, and a full support crew is needed. I've listed below the main tasks that need filling, and tried to outline roughly what's needed (and how much time they'd commit you to). If you are interested in filling one of these crucial roles, please get in touch with me to discuss further. If you have never done something listed below but would like to 'have a go', please also say so - we will happily provide a 'mentor' to guide you.
Stage |
Jim Yates |
Lighting Design and/or Operation |
The lighting plot is not complex, but we will need specific areas individually lit, and the suggestions of different times of day etc. |
Sound |
There will be a need for incidental music between each scene only – not too taxing, but vital all the same. |
Set / Furniture |
There will be no 'set' other than furniture, but ideally I’d like to find someone to loan us an upmarket set of office furniture – any suggestions? Incidental ‘office’ bits for desks etc. as props. |
Costumes |
No great requirement - all daily clothes, but someone to oversee, make sure colours don't clash etc. |
Prompt |
Need to attend all rehearsals once 'books down' to prompt as necessary, plus all production week. |
Front of |
A 'Manager' needed to co-ordinate stewarding. Requirement for 2 stewards at every performance (so if you only have one free night we still need you!). |
Modified - Fri 4 January, 2008